THE SENATE IS BRIEFED? NOW WHAT?

Well, I really wanted to write about Turkey toady and the issue of Kurds, but it seems like North Korea continues to be the hot topic. The bad news is, it seems to be getting hotter. It’s hard for me to imagine a conflict taking place on the Korean Peninsula. Hard to believe not because of the decisions that would have to be made to make this conflict take place. I do grow more concerned the Little Fat Man may actually blunder his way into fight. What makes it hard for me, is knowing just what a disaster a conflict such as this would create for so many people who couldn’t get out of the way. Experts can talk to they are blue in the face about the impact a war would have on the people of Seoul, but they simply don’t understand the humanitarian impact that fight would have on millions of people all at once. It’s a nightmare perhaps worse than anything witnessed in World War II. Frankly, I’m tired of hearing all the retired Army Intelligence Officers or CIA bookworms making a few bucks as they address the North’s ability to rain hell on Seoul. It makes me ill how these people rush to the scene of a potential human travesty for the sake of making a few bucks. If we are truly close to this event taking place, then it’s time to let the Commanders in the region do their job and not be second guessed by Ambulance chasing “Experts” back in the US. If the Commander of the US forces in Korea gives a public statement about what is taking place, listen to him and turn off the idiots on CNN and FOX. The closer this event actually gets, the more these fools rush to get on TV.

The Briefing:

If part of this briefing is about miniaturization of warheads and the progress the North Koreans may be having on such, then a real timeline was most likely established. If The Donald’s Team gave the US Senate some understanding of what was possibly agreed to with the Chinese, then the Senate may truly understand just how serious this issue has become. I’ve not paid attention today, so I’m not sure if any of them made a mad dash for the podium to speak about the classified information they were given. I have to think a few of them are going to make a comment at some point. I did notice CNN make a big deal out of the issue that Trump may not even attend the briefing! Typical CNN.

The Dragon Comments on the North:

I would think the little fat man would have his slaves, I mean military, paying close attention to the comments or issues that might come out of this “special brief”. The announcement of additional sanctions on North Korea hit the press shortly after the briefing, but then again, what have sanctions ever accomplished with North Korea? The real question is, what impact did this briefing have in the arena of perception management? Did North Korea become even more paranoid knowing the “unusual briefing” took place today? How much additional paranoia can this nutcase take? If ever there was a sign he was cracking, it could very well have been the sharp words and warning he sent to the Dragon. Another unusual event was the Dragon making the comment that North Korea had overstated its military capabilities. A slap in the face? Yes. Was it just a tit for tat with the little fat man or was the Dragon’s statement meant to work the perception issue on the US side? The North Koreans would find it insulting for the Dragon to make such a statement, but it may have been made in an attempt to cool the temperatures in DC. Telling the world the North is not as capable as they boast they are could increase the pressure on the US not to use military force. Who would know better than the Dragon what the North was capable of? Could the comment also show the US the Dragon is continuing to pull away from North Korea? My hunch is, the answer is yes on both accounts.

Where does the world stand now?

Is there truly a war footing on the part of the US? No. Not yet at least. The preparation for such an event, even one limited to “surgical strikes” on key facilities, is far more complicated than just watching the status of troops in South Korea. Unlike India, the deliberate concept of “Zero Start” is not a strategic playbook for the US. A version of a no notice start is always ready with the US, but that’s a reactionary concept, not a operational mission plan. So, the simple answer is, the US is not going through all the anticipated steps to prepare for a very violent engagement. The preparation in South Korea for a war there is mindboggling….trust me on that one….been there…..done that! Having said that, let me go back to my point about the paranoia level of the little fat man. Where is his head? Just how worried is he? Has he taken this too far? Can he find a way out? Does he event want to? Does this madman truly believe he can win a war on the Korean Peninsula? It’s just hard to tell, but the Dragon knows him far better than the West and in the end, that is the world’s best hope.

 Humble Pie:

Okay, here is the part that really hurts and calls for a large portion of Humble Pie. After years of listening to the constant flow of “experts”, most with their black turtlenecks on, such a strange look, I’ve often wondered, do any of them really have any idea of what the next real war would look like? What would happen? What would be the premise of the war? I came to one conclusion. No. No, they don’t have a clue on how the next global event would take place and worse, they had no understanding of just what the impact of such a war would be. Now, I know RAND and a few others have made a great deal of money off of the American Tax Payers to toss some analysis together and I even read one of them. But, I’m convinced they can’t see the real picture. They can’t put the human side to the story. Even in my own background, I never truly understood just how fragile the US and Western world was when it comes to day to day existence, until I spend seven years working in civilian emergency management. For those seven years, my job was to help the civilians, at the state level, respond to events that were far beyond the capabilities of local government. Short answer, scary…very….very….scary just how fragile day to day life is in the US and the rest of the modern world.  As for the typical “experts”, they really don’t get it and the ones that make money claiming they do, well, they are the worst of the batch. Some of you who read this blog site know exactly what I am talking about.

Here is the Humble Pie!  After a few years of tilting my head like a dog hearing a high-pitched sound as I tried to listen to the “experts”, I finally said to myself, “Self…let’s take a shot at the topic”! Yep, you may have guessed it. Deep in the Skunkworks of my Kitchen table and lounger, I’ve been typing away. The next world war. What will it look like? How might it start and most importantly, what will the world look like after it? That’s it. That’s what I’m up to. If you ask, “when”, the answer is within a few months………….. I hope! So, there you have it. After bashing the money hungry “experts”, I’m stopping to their level! One big difference. I don’t care if it makes a dime! When I’m finished, it’s going to Amazon, how I don’t know, but I have a friend who is a writer and she will help me make it happen. From there who reads it and how many actually read it, I don’t really care. When I’m long gone, my family will know it’s there and that is all that counts. Humble Pie! Yep…but mine will taste good! Oh ya. It will be in the format of a report five years after the war. That makes it much easier for me! 

THE SENATE GOES TO THE WHITE HOUSE?

A great deal more talk about this event with the folks outside the US, then in the US. In the US the story-line on CNN is once again something along the lines of how bad The Donald has messed up today. New day, same story from CNN. It’s the new version of the old FOX news flashback from the Obama's days. Okay. Back on topic! So, the story goes, the entire US Senate has been invited to the White House for a briefing on the events in North Korea. The US Vice President canceled part of his Asian Tour to attend the briefing. The Donald spoke to China and Japan on Sunday and the topic was North Korea.

Side note: It makes the press that the US President spoke with Japanese and Chinese Leadership, but no mention of South Korea? Interesting, at least to those who truly believe something is taking place out of the ordinary.

As I stated, this story has generated a great deal more attention outside the US than in the US, at least right now.  I even read a story today about how nuclear shelters and air purifiers were sold out in Japan. Is the world more concerned about North Korea than the people in the US? The Chinese have advised their citizens to not travel to North or South Korea. What does that make the rest of Asia think? It surly seems like the rest of the world is more worried about North Korea than Joe Six-pack in the US. Should they be?

The Brief:

Every member of the US Senate has a clearance, but telling every member of the US House a “secret” is like telling the school gossip you’re pregnant. Two parties, one that is trying to get along with the new President and the other who challenges him on every topic. It may be very difficult to get the President’s point across. Just what is it, the President is going to brief the Senate? That’s the question being asked by the Chinese, Russian, Japanese and yes…. The South Koreans. Here is a hint. Getting a message from the US President, given the political climate DC is in right now, with the hope of obtaining some level of support for some list of options, well, that’s a tall order. The best way to sell a hard message is to let those who have respect on the topic give the pitch. How important do you try to make the pitch? Well, you make sure the US Vice President is there when it’s given, even if that means interrupting a trip.  What do you show the Senate to convince them to listen to your list of options? You show them something they didn’t know and you show them something that will scare the hell out of them. Do they collectively believe the President’s Pitchmen? Probably not! Party politics in the US seems to be more important than national survival. When the briefing is completed, then what? Does the US President hold a press conference? What is the message? What level of unity does the President of the United States hope to show?

How unusual is this unusual event?

Short answer. It’s unusual enough to make other countries nervous and that is all that matters. Here is the question everyone overseas is asking and people in the US may start asking on Tuesday. Is the US President looking for Senate support for military action? Is the President conforming to what just about every member of the Congress and the Senate believe; the US President needs their support prior to taking military action? Now, before you jump to conclusions and say, “Trump would never do that….it’s his right to take action if he sees fit……. He is the Commander in Chief”! I would agree that the US President would not subjugate his or her authority, unless…..unless….. the action the military experts are going to brief are far more damaging to the US and the region than the typical unilateral action by a US President. Attacking, even in joint adventure with Japan and South Korea or even China, would bring on massive destruction and death. Death in large numbers and in a very short period of time that far exceeds anything that has outraged the world in Syria.

If the idea of the briefing is seen as “unusual”, just how “unusual” might the options be?

What is the purpose?

The US President is not asking for support to go to war. The US President is trying to show the Senate just how dangerous the events in North Korea have become. Is the purpose of the brief twofold? Yes, I believe it is. Just imagine the tension the conversation between the Dragon and the Tsar. “What is The Donald doing? What is he about to do?”

Pressure. One main goal of this advertised briefing is pressure. Pressure not on the North Korean Little Fat Man, but pressure on the Chinese. Pressure that continues to force them to take action on their own. Force them to do something before they only have the option of reacting to something already underway.

The Dangers of Perceptions:

How many countless times have I commented on the topic of perception! Put yourself in the shoes of the Little Fat Man in North Korea. This week you were stupid enough to in a roundabout way threaten the Dragon on its actions. Now, you find out the US President is have a very “unusual” meeting at the White House and you are the topic of conversation. Oh, and think about this. This is taking place after the US President has just held a conversation with Japan and China. Placing even more pressure on the Dragon. Is that going to work? Is that what this meeting is really all about? Unity of effort will not be the end result of this briefing. The two political parties in the US simply are not professional enough anymore to stand together and her enemies know it. After this briefing is completed, it will be interesting to see which Senators rush to the news podium and once again, impact the perception process taking place in the rest of the world.  

This story may not rank up there with The Donald’s Tax Plan, but something tells me after this brief is over, the reactions by those sprinting to the podium and those leaders overseas will set other gears in motion.

Telling over 100 politicians a “Secret”, that’s one way to get the world out! They will make Snowden look like an amateur. They might has well invited Lily Tomlin!!!!!

Last, but not least...................    http://www.atimes.com/article/global-times-china-accept-surgical-strike-north-korea/

WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS!

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  Matthew 24:6

Matthew understood Jesus’s response.  The media is abuzz, drunk on the possibility of a “major war” involving the US North Korea. The greatest rumormongers in the world come from the media. It’s almost as if they dream of being able to blame Trump for a major war, a war where thousands of US citizens and service members are killed. Last night, I listened to CNN nearly have a nervous breakdown as they tried to get US Republicans to give their definition of what President Trump means when he said the time for patients with North Korea is over, or something close to that.

It’s time! It’s time the leaders in North Korea and China hear the US say, “Enough”! Enough, followed by, I’m not kidding! So, is it working? Is the message getting through? Well, that depends on who the message is for. A few days ago, I painted a picture of how the Dragon could end this issue on the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps the messaging of VPOTUS, look it up if you don’t know what it means, was not just for the little fat man in North Korea. Perhaps the message was a follow up message for the Chinese? When the US and China held their meeting a few weeks ago, the message was given, but perhaps it was time to refresh the message? So the US stood in the DMZ and said, ‘Don’t test us and don’t do something stupid’!

The little fat man has lived a charmed life, the life of a spoiled child. Now, suddenly someone walks into the room and says, ‘sit up….shut up and act right or I will smack your ass’! Is that the wrong thing to say? We’ve been trying it the liberal way for decades and what has it gotten us? Yes, we have avoided another war in Korea, but at what cost for the future? I’ve heard it time and time again and I’ve even heard it from some of the Trump Team, from a person I know on that team; “we need to be patient”. Well, unfortunately, saying be patient to an aggressive, delusional brat is interpreted as, I really….really…..really…..mean it this time! The US has been far too patient with this little brat and it’s time the brat’s nanny, the Dragon, understands the price that may be paid by all in the region, to include the Nanny, if his actions are not curtailed. Continuous rants of pending nuclear war cannot be tolerated and rewarding this type of behavior with patients is not the answer.

The world is moving forward and the 21^st Century could be the cornerstone of the Human Race’s expanse, but dangerous events cannot be wished away. In the end, when talking and patients are doing nothing more than buying time for insane leaders, time needed to further weapons development, then hard decisions may have to be made.  It has long been feared the proliferation of nuclear weapons would someday bring the world to crisis and now, we’re there. The Human race is stands at yet another pivotal point. Do we allow madmen to bring down the future of our race? Do we let those who are unwilling to contribute to the future of the world threaten the world? Just how important is North Korea to the Dragon? What dreams for the region are lost if the North Korean leader is allowed to dictate the future of his own insane little country to the rest of the world? Who is next? Who is the next Little Fat Man with huge demands? Is the US and others willing to risk a war in the region, a war that would kill thousands in just days, for the sake of showing the next madman there is no path to glory by threatening nuclear war if you don’t get your way? What terrible price must the world be ready to pay to protect the future of the rest of the world? Do the North Korean Generals desire to see their nation in ashes? Does the Dragon watch as their very border once again turns to a war-zone? Does the little fat man truly comprehend what is taking place here? More importantly, do the ones that support him understand?

Did North Korea “blink”?

In the past few days, the western media has been fixated on the tit for tat verbiage taking place between the US and North Korea and all of it is wrapped into a media message of, “War is getting closer”. Get a few retired military talking heads on the TV and the next thing you know, your ratings are up. But…..But…. did the North Koran message change ever so slightly? Is there a crack in the machismo of the North Korean Dictator? ‘If the US attacks us, we will have nuclear war….if the US uses nuclear weapons, we will use nuclear weapons’? It’s nothing new to hear the North’s stance of, “we will defend ourselves if attacked”, but the rate at which they are repeating is worthy of review. Sometimes when you get right up in a Bully’s face and say, “do it again…. I dare you”, that’s when the Bully finally realizes the façade is over. Is this what the US has done? “We are not kidding” is really…. “We are not kidding”!

The nuclear nightmare that Oppenheimer warned of cannot be allowed to come true. Stable nations can think there way out of nuclear events. Nations that understand the horrors of nuclear war, can prevent them from happening. Insane Tyrants who live in delusional worlds must not be allowed to enter the nuclear family. This insane man is demanding he be allowed to join the family. That cannot happen. You can’t wish this away. Patients is nothing more than playing kick the can and the civilized world, to include the Chinese, have played this game long enough.

It is up to the Chinese to decide the fate of the region. It’s exactly what they are demanding of the world, to recognize China as the Master of the China Seas! This is it. This is their one chance to show their future as a world leader. The Dragon must decide. This is exactly the message the US is giving not only to China, but to the rest of the world. Fix this, before it’s too late and it’s getting very late!

Rumors of war are not the indication of the end of times….Jesus said so. If the world must deal with it’s first nuclear madman, it will not be the end of the world, unless you live on the Korean Peninsula.

There is a very hard decision here to be made and the Chinese get the first attempt at making one. After that, the answer only gets more tragic. 

ALL HAIL THE SULTAN ERDOGAN….WAIT… NOT SO FAST! 

What a stroke of luck for Egodan! With the part of the word that matters still gazing towards North Korea, looking for word of the new war, the one the media is praying for, the timing for his referendum on becoming the new Sultan of the Ottomans was perfect. Sometimes it’s just better to be lucky than good. The Turkish voting event has been in and out of the news, in and out of my post, for over a year now, but at the most critical moment in time, a moment when the normal dumpster diving press would question a 51.3 percent victory, the eyes are simply gazing in the other direction. So, is that it? Is the new Sultan finally coming to power?

Trouble out of the box.

The People have spoken! Well, not really. 51.3 percent and that’s with all the voting fraud Egodan’s team could come up with. They had over a year to figure it out and even then, the EU’s meddling caused panic. Panic because Team Egodan knew just how close the count was going to be. 51.3 percent! If you take into account the fixed or rigged events, the Sultan may have very well lost the vote. So, what does the hold for the future of the Sultan’s grand plan? Is there trouble right out of the box? You bet and here is why.  Take a look at the BBC news story on the final vote count.

Three Cities with a huge message. 

Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir. The three largest cities in Turkey and all three voted “No”! Regardless of what Egodan says or the controlled media shapes, the fact of the matter is the true cities of Turkey turned down the vote. Now the question becomes, what are the people in those cities willing to do about it? The act of standing against Egodan is a dangerous thought, just ask the hundred thousand or so who were rounded up last year. Does a Turkish Spring take shape? Does the old saying of, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, begin to unfold? Do the Kurds and the no voters find a common ground? Turkey is not a stable place and anyone who witnessed the events of 2016 understands just how unstable the environment is. Just how successful is this new form of government going to be?
When I read the three cites mentioned above voted against the referendum, I wasn’t surprised. Youth and social media, they are the 21st Century’s ingredient for social unrest. Cities have always been the bastion for unrest and major Universities are typically in large cities. Simply put, universities are the core incubators for youthful discontent. So, where is this all heading?
Who is the most logical target for the Sultan to accuse if any disruption comes? Yep. Gulen.  Would Gulen’s supporters give effort to disrupt the plans of the Sultan? Yep. So, does this mean there is more trouble times ahead for Turkey? Absolutely. More troubled times for Egodan and more pressure on The Donald to make a decision on Gulen. Now, remember how I started this conversation and the point of the world being distracted? Do any of you think The Donald is going to spend the time to work on the Gulen issue in the near future? Nope! Does Gulen and his team know that? Yep.
If protest show up on the streets of any of the major cities in Turkey, you can bet the cry for Gulen’s head will be heard just as quickly. Once again, Gulen becomes the leader of the “Resistance” and once again the question will become, what’s in it for The Donald? How does serving Gulen up to the Sultain benefit the US? Here is one aspect to ponder. If the Bromance is over between The Donald and the Tsar, then the bargaining chip may be on the table. “Walk away from your support for the Tsar and I will give you Gulen”. Sound crazy? Just how crazy is the world right now? Speaking of the Tsar. I have to wonder what amount of planning the Russians have put into the Turkish referendum passing? An embolden Sultan who can continue to be leverage to make life difficult for the EU, that is a valuable item. An item the Tsar will not be quick to give up.
The referendum passed. The new Sultan is closer to his dream. Turkey is no more stable now than it was a week ago and perhaps even less so. But, the eyes of the world are on North Korea, China and the US. If things get much worse on the Korean Peninsula, the timing for the Sultan to crush any, early resistance will be there. A topic worth watching, but for now, all eyes go back to Team Trump and the Dragon’s negotiation on the fate of North Korea. In the 21st Century, with the speed of communications, it will be interesting to see how fast a situation can impact the rest of the world. North Korea influence on the global economy is far more than they realize and the Dragon knows it, but that is a story for tomorrow.

TILLERSON’S MESSAGE. HOW DID IT GO?

Theater; that is how many would describe the post meeting environment when important, dangerous topics are being negotiated between nations. Who gets the best soundbite off first and who sets the baseline for the pending perception battle? Who won the debate yesterday? Each involved nation sends a message intended for their own citizenship and each nation sends a message for world consumption. So, what messages were sent yesterday, after the meeting in Moscow? Well, from the US standpoint, the message from the President was more than dramatic. It was ominous! The real bad news is, this ominous message was the version drafted for the US public.  ‘Maybe worse than it’s ever been’! That’s what I would call ominous. If that was the US Administration message to its own people, what was the message for the rest of the world? Here is the problem, sometimes when the message for the internal consumption is so controversial, the other messages are overlooked. In addition, in today’s world of social media, the ability of governments to send independent messages is almost ineffective or worse, counterproductive. What the world heard yesterday was, ‘ Maybe worse than ever….all time low’! Was any of it for show? Was the old CEO Donald overstating a position to strengthen future negotiations? That is how he ran his business world. Why would he run the US any different? Did the rest of the world believe the statement? I know the liberal media in the US was stunned by the verbiage, but they are stunned by The Donald almost every day of the week.  Today is the day. Today is the day most nations and organizations will contemplate what was said after the meeting yesterday. Markers? What are the markers that might show us just how worried the world really is? Fuel. Fuel is one of the true indicators of relations and it’s the one I’ve been watching for years now. If the giants of that industry get worried, the price of fuel jumps and sometimes jumps big. What did it do today? 20 cents. IT went up only twenty cents. Hard to believe the world is running for bomb shelters just yet with the WTI only going up 20 cents. Does that mean it’s not that bad? No! It means one of two things. Ether some don’t believe it’s as bad as the US stated or, it’s not that bad yet! Oh, by the way! As a reminder, what is the number catalyst of the Russian economy? Yep. The price of fuel! Just keep that in the back of your head.

What was really said?

Here is where I may start to worry you. From the moment this gassing incident turned into a point of contention between the Russians and the US, I’ve been of the opinion the Russians did not formulate this event. I was not convinced they even were aware it was going to take place. My suspicions were on the Persians and their desire to not let Syria slip from their hands were the real culprits. Although I took this stance, I did state it would be more than concerning if the Russians really did have a part in the gas attack. I even said it would be an indicator of just how dangerous the Tsar had become.

I may very well have been wrong about my initial assumption! It appears, according to those I use to work with and trust, well, most of the time, the Tsar did have a hand in this event. If so, the part I did get right was just how dangerous that would be. My fear the Tsar may have been playing the US / Trump / along all this time may in some way be coming true.

Did the Tsar anticipate the story of interfering in the US elections going where it did? Did he believe he could meddle in US Presidential elections given how weak the US seemed, how divided it is and how unconcerned Trump seemed to be over Russian actions? Did the Tsar take advantage of knowing Trump really didn’t know the Tsar like he thought he did? As I said last week, did the Tsar underestimate The Donald? Yes, the Tsar was fully aware the US and the Russians had been “interfering” in other nation’s elections for decades. Did he underestimate where the world has gone with social media? What use to be easy to get away with is now nearly imposable! Did the Tsar’s miscalculation set into motion a reaction from the US President the Tsar was not prepared for? The Donald had to show the world he was not in Putin’s corner and he had to show the world he was not weak-kneed like his predecessor. Did the Tsar’s team of experts not see this coming? Has the US and the Russians been stumbling down the stairs of diplomacy ever since then? If things weren’t going well, not according to “plan”, then why the chemical attack? Again, did the Russians simply underestimate the US’s reaction…the reaction of a new President out to show America is Great Again! Just how bad was the physiological profile the Russians came up with on Donald Trump and the key members of his team?

Looks tell the story.

A picture is worth a thousand words! The look on Tillerson’s face yesterday was the issue that caught my eye first. Then, his body language and the tone of his voice. This is a man who knows the Russians. This is a guy who was chosen as the Secretary of State for the US for a reason. Flat and blunt. That is how a CEO of one of the largest companies in the world has leaned to react to unavoidable bad news. When the news is bad, keep it simple and keep the message short! Don’t box yourself in for further meetings. Whatever was said by the Russians yesterday took the steam out of a guy who knows the people across the table better than most. The Tsar was not supposed to meet with Tillerson, but they know each other and the Tsar showed up? Why? What was the message he wanted to make sure Tillerson understood? As soon as Tillerson and his team were finished, they headed over to the US Embassy and had secured communications with the White House. What was said? What made The Donald come to the podium and say what he did?

Tit for Tat!

By the time the NATO meeting was complete with Trump, it was clear the conversation had taken place with Tillerson. Yesterday, the media in the US asked the question, “How could Trump turn around on the issue of NATO so quickly”? It didn’t surprise me they had no clue and the talking heads the pay to get their faces on the network seemed just as clueless. Tillerson’s message set the Donald in motion! “If the Russians don’t reach out to you in the meeting, then I will show my full support for NATO”! Why did know one see that one coming? Well, some of us did. Donald Trump is a hardnosed, businessman. He comes to the table in a position of strength and if things don’t go his way, then other options are always going to be quickly explored. Imagine the faces in Moscow when President Trump suddenly voiced his unconditional support for NATO on the same day Tillerson came out of a meeting so flat lined. He knew if the meeting didn’t go well his boss had other options he would begin to take. The answers he got from the Russians let Tillerson know what the US President was going to say that day. NATO back in the US bucket. China tossed a golden egg on the issue of currency manipulation. Those two things didn’t happen yesterday by happenstance. Yesterday was a deliberate shift. A shift based upon two world leaders who misread each other from the start. A shift brought on by two guys who come to the table of negotiation strong and determined.

No the price of WTI doesn’t indicate a pending crisis between the US and Russia, but the ground work is set. The concept of a second round of a Cold War is now more plausible than before. Things are heading in a bad direction and both sides need to step back and take a breath. In the meantime, the Persians and the Little Fat Man in North Korea live to see another day in their dreams of the future. Speaking of the little fat guy. If the rumor is true and he is about to set off a sixth nuclear test, the story over this coming weekend may shift away from the new Cold War and focus on the real crisis in the Pacific.  

NORTH KOREA OR RUSSIA? WHAT IS THE CLOSEST DANGER?

All right, the meeting in Moscow is underway. The opportunity to sit down and figure out what happened and why is underway. Was it all a ploy to get the Bromance story off the news? Regardless of what some of the US Democratic party members spew out, no, that is not why it happened. Did it happen because Trump and Putting miscalculated each other? Maybe. If that is the reason, then the fix will start with the meeting today. Did the Tsar sucker The Donald into thinking they were going to be buddies? Let’s pray that is not the answer! Did The Donald want to show the Tsar there is a new Sherriff in town? Again, let’s pray that is not the answer as well. Did the Russians and the US get suckered by Assad and his Persian Puppet Master? As I said last week, if that is true, then the Tsar will handle this event in his own way and the time of his choosing. One thing is certain. The stance of both nations has and will have two faces. One, the official press release version and two, the behind the scenes, “what do we do now”, version.

Talking.

Communicating! That is the key to having a chance of de-escalation. The difference is, the Liberal concept of communicating is the lopsided preference and the conservative concept is minimum communicating that may lead to unbalanced compromise. Negotiation. It’s an art form nearly lost in DC given the polarization of the US political system. Unity of effort is the key when it comes to engaging in difficult international discussions. The danger in the US is, neither party places such a concept on the priority list. Russia will come to the table with one voice, one message…… the Tsar’s message. The US media that supports the Liberal agenda will pounce on any and all statements Team Trump comes up with. Right behind that pounce will be the rush to the podium of power hungry Democrats who’s staff have told them they must give a statement as soon as possible. Yes, the US comes to a very dangerous conversation as a house divided. The liberal media will be more difficult for Team Donald to deal with than anything the Russians may say. Members of Team Trump looking unsynchronized along with stupid press statements made by the White House Staff, can only make this vital meeting more difficult.

Let’s wait to see what the “official” and “rumored” official results are. Sifting through the fake news will make this a very difficult task, but two levels of this story will come out.  

It’s a dangerous meeting and one that must be approached very carefully. But, here is the really bad news! It’s not the most important event that is taking place right now.

A Dragon’s handshake.

What does   the Syrian Eye Doctor and the Little Fat man in North Korea have in common? More than you might think. Both firmly believe their fate is being decided by others. Both believe the very nations that have openly supported them for years and in the process of ending their rule. That gives them a common bond that should not be overlooked. I can assure you, the intelligence community is paying attention to any and all communications between the two.

When Team Trump sat down with the Dragon, was a deal on North Korea really struck? The rumor mill says yes and the odds are some level of understanding was reached. The question becomes, just what version of that rumor does the little fat guy in North Korea believe? How paranoid can a paranoid madman become? Yes. The danger of this event is more disturbing than any play of words taking place between the US and the Russians.

On several occasions, I’ve written about the deal that could be struck over North Korea. Back in 2013, I addressed how the Dragon may find its own plan for North Korea and that plan might lead to a reduced US footprint in the region. So, here we go again. Let me play the “What if” game one more time!

What if the Dragon came to the table with a deal that said something like this. “We will remove the leadership of North Korea and replace it with one that is under our control. We will replace it with a leadership that is slowly going to address the issue of closer ties with South Korea. Over time, they will even talk of reunification! You on the other hand will agree to first reduce and then withdraw your forces from the Korean Peninsula. You will continue to talk to us on the topic of the South China Sea Lanes. We will reduce our posture with Vietnam and Japan and in the end, the Pacific will be what it should be, a trading mecca for the whole world”! Oh ya… “and the fuel in the South China Sea will be negotiated at a controlled price much like the concept behind OPEC”!

Would Team Trump take an offer of getting rid of the North Korean issue seriously if it meant reducing the US military’s footprint in the region at some point down the road? Yep!  You bet. Here is why. The process of removing the little fat guy is a short timeframe event. It’s somewhat of an overnight thing, perhaps even a single gunshot event! The process of reunification will take years and others will have a vote. Short answer, Team Trump may not be around to have to live up to that side of the deal! So, when the meeting was over and both sides walked away, the Dragon had one item to consider. How do they conduct regime change in North Korea? I would be willing to bet you they have a plan and that plan has been on the books for years. The Dragon’s Team then has to ponder if the Trump Team is able to live up to their side of the plan? One thing the Dragon will understand is the joy the people of South Korea will have when the North is no longer run by an insane family. The very idea of possible reunification will energize the liberal youth of South Korea and future South Korean elections will prove it. In the end, what would be the argument for the US forces to stay on the Peninsula? What would the Korean people accept? So, the upside of this type of deal is all there. The down side is the pull out of US forces may not happen for several years, but that is a blink of an eye in the philosophy of the Dragon.  

Sound outrageous? Well, you are underestimating the Dragon’s real goal. The Pacific with reduced US military footprint! Hold out your hand to them. Solve the North Korean issue and then bring your issues back to the table at a later date.

Crack in the Theory.

No, I’m not giddy with optimism on my theory of the meeting, but the alternatives are much uglier for the whole world. My theory has one very…very…… difficult, operational issue. How? How does the Dragon conduct regime change without having the whole thing go bad? How do you take the little fat man’s finger off the military switch? Well, here is how I would do it. Remember I said the Dragon most likely has a plan for dealing with North Korean Leadership? My plan is most likely close to their actual plan. Political Leaders are nothing without two things and one is physically more important than the other. One…the Support of the population. Don’t worry…he doesn’t have it! Those smiles you see are ordered, not spontaneous. Two… the support of the military. A Dictator may have the support of the military and by having this, force the appeasement of the people. History is packed with such events. So, what is the primary target of the Dragon’s regime change plan? Yep. The North Korean Military, but not the line units, but its leadership! What better Assassin could the Dragon chose than one, or more, of the Generals always standing next to him? Could these Generals be convinced to turn on the little fat guy? How has he treated them? How many have witnessed their peers being strapped to rockets for something they were blamed for? How many have families that long for more food, radios, cars…..you now…. a life! How many of them love North Korea more than they fear the little maniac? To bring down the leader of North Korea with as little bloodshed as possible, the Dragon needs those who truly control the military. Figuring out who those key Generals are and how to approach them, that is the part of the Dragon’s plan I’m betting has been around for years now. It could very well be, the right names and the right plans are all ready to go and it just takes word from the Dragon to make it happen. Just think if the Dragon let even part of this plan be known to Team Trump? Just let the Western Intelligence agencies get a hint of this level of planning and the White House will know.

Before you get your hopes up, remember what I called this section of the post. If I am sitting here, dreaming up this concept and it’s based on an age old lesion of betrayal, then why would the little fat man not come to the same conclusion? Who can he trust? Who has the Dragon approached? Have others approached his Generals? The South Koreans…the US?  Try to imagine the level of paranoia this insane man has right about now!  What keeps him from going out in a blaze of glory? What keeps him from taking the preemptive move? Does he take out his General Officer’s staff? I bet he hasn’t read Stalin’s book! Does he try to bluff Team Donald into backing down? What message does he attempt to send next? Just how dangerous is this madman right now? My guess is he is more dangerous that he has ever been. My guess is the Dragon knows this and so the warning to not push too hard is a genuine message. If there is a plan to get the North Koran Generals moving, the Dragon had better make up its mind quickly! The movement of troops to the North Korean Border is nothing new, but it’s also a great way to position your forces without making the little crazy guy jump the gun.

Yes, the meeting with Tillerson and the Russians is important, but the real danger is a Cowboys and Indian movies loving brat who thinks his best friend and bodyguard is about to do him in! 

US STRIKE ON SYRIA. "DUCK AND COVER" ????? I HOPE NOT

You have to let the second event take place before you truly understand the first one. That is the theory many live by and in the case of the events of last week in Syria, that theory may be holding true. Rouhani states the US and Russia was an inch away from confrontation right after the US attack on Syria. Rouhani claims he received his information from a Russian military leader. Yesterday, a story was run by Reuters stating the “Joint Command Center” between the Russians, Iranians and Syrians had released a statement on how the US had crossed “redlines” and future actions by the US would be responded to. Within 24hrs, the Russians reacted by stating they were unaware of any such statement coming from the Joint Center. Who was Reuter’s source and yes, we all know they won’t tell us. So, here is my question. Does one statement give us a clue on the origin of the other?

Where are we now?

How many turning points in human history have begun with some singular event that in itself should would not have been worthy of creating such wide scale change? Was the US actions in Syria such an event? Perhaps. Speculation is an industry all in itself and at this particular moment in time, speculation is about as much as we have to work off of. Having said that, my speculation vote still rides with the Persians and their government’s desire to not allow the future of Syria or the region to be determined by Christians. As I said last week, if I’m wrong and this latest potentially history changing event was condoned and or coordinated by the Russians, then we truly have witnessed an event that may change human history.  The good news is, I still think my theory holds more weight than the concept of the Russians being responsible.

Two arguments that merit tracking.

Always keeping an open mind and never being as vain as to believing your own press that has been a trait I’ve tried to refine. So, two theories caught my eye this weekend. First was the concept this was the historically predictable “First Test” of the new US President. The event most Political Scientist will tell you comes within the first 100 days of a new US President. Funny, I’ve never heard any of US “experts” make the statement the US “test” new leaders!   If this is true, then who administered the test and who is going to score the results? As I stated earlier, it appears the “joint” message is not “joint” at all and that is why I still look to Persia for my clues. I will make this prediction, for as long as The Donald is in the White House, “testing” him will be a very dangerous assessing process. I would recommend any nation or group that believes in the testing process reevaluate how they will judge the status of The Donald. If there is one thing The Donald and the Tsar have in common, and there is more than one, it’s the fact that neither of them are good test takers and both are very capable of holding a grudge against those who hand them a test. The second theory I came across was one I actually mentioned in passing last week. Was there never really going to be a “Bromance”? Was the concept of a Putin / Trump Team something cooked up by some other group? Was it the brainchild of a very angry US Democratic party? If that is true, then where all this heads could land squarely on the shoulders of that elite group inside the Dems. If this concoction was not born in the US, then where? As stated last week, did the Tsar build this story? Was this an attempt to play The Donald for a sucker? Was the Tsar playing to Trump’s natural stance as if he was a patsy waiting to show the world how he could get along with the most aggressive, dangerous man in the world? I’ll keep saying it over and over again………….I hope not…..let’s all pray this is not true! The problem is, the “sucker” story is starting to appeal to some out there. It’s the most dangerous scenario we may have to deal with and for that reason, we simply cannot turn our backs on any additional data on the theory.

Miscalculation?

Both of the above mentioned scenarios are based upon one key assumption, the US was not involved in making this event take place. The US, as the story goes, reacted to an event that no civilized leader could turn his back on. Um…….. I’m sorry to say we have a long history in the West / US / of turning our backs on despicable events, both Republican and Democratic backs!  Was this the first chemical attack in Syria? No. Was this the first chemical attack using a weaponized agent? No. Has an event this outrageous happened in other parts of the region? Yes, just asked the Kurds! Was this the first event of this nature on the new US President’s watch? Yes! Could that be what happened? Did the Syrians and their Allies execute an attack not unlike others in the past six years and completely miscalculate the response of the West / US / ?  Was it a deliberate “test” or dumb miscalculation? Did the Trump Team interpret this event as his fist “test” and decide to show just how different things were going to be after eight years of talking? Never…………..every…………forget what I’ve said about the history of conflict and just how often unintended events lead to consequences and consequences lead to further actions………so goes the spiral of war! The US did not arm the Syrian aircraft with a chemical weapon. The US was not waiting in anticipation for an event to show just how different the new team is, at least I don’t think they did! But…..but….. Did the US miscalculate their new leader’s fist “Test”? Did the Trump Team think it was Test Day when in fact it was not? I’ve seen many of post on just how much tension there was in executing the missile option. Team Trump was rumored to have a strong division on the topic. Some may have been convinced of the “test” and some were not. Just how smooth of a machine is Team Trump?

Off-ramp!

It’s been a few days now! The US and the Russians have had time to think through what took place. They’ve had time to talk and trust me, they have talked. What happened? The Russians have their version and the US has theirs? Both must save face in the public’s eye, the social media’s arena. The questions becomes, are they both looking for a way out? What is the proverbial “off-ramp”? Exxon, I mean Tillerson is heading to Moscow and he is not taking a Press Team with him. That tells you a great deal. Yes, not the first time the Trump Team has changed how a President’s team interacts with the media, but this one is different. Who knows Russian leadership better? The ex CEO of Exxon or the so called “experts” in DC? Why was Tillerson given the job of Secretary of State for the US?  I can guarantee you one huge factor was his understanding and relationships inside of Russia. If the off-ramp path is the one both sides are desperately looking for, then this pending meeting will set the stage. By the way, pay no attention to the public statements coming out of both camps before this meeting. Remember, real conversations take place far away from the press. Team Trump doesn’t do policy by polls? The Guy hates polls as well he should and as for the Tsar and polls, what do you think?

If the US and Russia find a way to defuse this escalating environment, one thing will have to happen. They will both have to agree to some level as to what happened and why. Repairing the rift is priority one for both sides. Yes, Team Trump has proven he is not the Tsar’s Puppet. That argument for the US Democratic Party is gone and that is a storyline for another day.  But don’t be shocked to hear a few wacky Dems make the comment, if they already have not, “Trump attacked Syria just to make it look like he’s not in Putin’s pocket”! As a matter of fact, I would bet that comment has already been made. Check CSNBC website, they probably pushed it first. But, in the end, both sides have to have a story that gives them an exit. If the Russians need to, they will toss Iran and Assad on the fire, but they have to be given the opportunity to do it in a manner and time that they pick. Now, back to the doomsday scenario. If the Tsar really was in on this from day one. If the chemical attack was just part of a plan to show The Donald as a chump, then the meeting with Tillerson will tell the story. If there is no sign of a pending off-ramp story, then it may be time to rethink the old, “Duck and Cover” drills! Ouch! 

THE UNITED STATES OPENLY STEPS INTO THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR!

If The Donald showed one thing yesterday, it’s that doing a bunch of talking and press soundbites before you hit someone militarily is not his style. Yes, he gave a few statements along with his staff, but the amount of blustering and warnings in the Obama Presidency would have lasted  weeks and telegraphed just about everything that might take place. By the way, it was interesting how Hillary suddenly popped on the radar yesterday and gave his military professional opinion on what targets should be hit. Now that is timing, or, someone tipped her!  Team Trump Needs to look at the list of who knew the strikes were coming as it appears the issue of leaks are still is a very real problem. Hillary….trying to look Presidential? Something else going on there.  Now, let me get another topic out of the way so we can get down to the real issues from this event. Yes, the US “talked” to the Russians. If you want to avoid collateral damage that might make it even more difficult for the Tsar to respond to, let the world get out a few Russian military members will killed in the strike. How long did the Russians have to move their people, the bet is not very long and short enough to keep them from telling the Syrians so they could get ready. It wouldn’t have mattered because putting aircraft in the so called “hardened” hangers is a waste of time now days. The only thing that got the Syrians was a bunch of destroyed aircraft covered in concreate. Anyway, yes, the Russians knew the strike was coming, but only one person of all the talking heads I listened to last night made the correct comment. A young reporter for CNN, reporting from overseas, perhaps Moscow, made the comment about the SA 400 system. He simply asked, “How did the missiles get passed the SA 400”? BANG…. He was the only one, to include a large list of retired Generals and Colonials, who asked the right question. The question that leads to what is taking place here. Why the Russians would allow 59 US missiles to penetrate the airspace of Syria, airspace they had let the world know they now controlled with their incredibly advanced SA 400 system, is the key to what is taking place here.  The picture they painted was, “Don’t even try to get passed this weapon system”! So what happened? How did a nation that has the ability to detect launches from naval vessels watch nearly sixty slow moving weapons and then allow them to strike a target? Just what amount of information was exchanged with the Russians prior to the attack?  But, that is just one tantalizing question, the one I have more interest in is how the government of Syria responds to the Russians allowing the attack to take place and who will take advantage of the anger the Syrian government will have over the Russians once again letting an enemy attack Syrian targets. Yes. I said once again. Don’t forget the numerous Israeli attacks to include in and around Damascus.  

What we know:

As I said yesterday, let’s look at this event as if we are trying to solve a mystery and not waste time on watching the talking heads get paid on cable news today..

1.      The US informed the Russians the strike was coming.

2.      The Meeting between the Dragon and The Donald started nearly at the same time as the attack. North Korea inters the equation here.

3.      The US openly accused the Russians of knowing the Syrian aircraft dropped the chemical bomb with the word, “complacence” used. Something I will cover in a few minutes.

4.      The Iranians are not happy with the fate of Syria being decided by the US and Russia and to some extent Turkey.

5.      There is no love between Iran and Russia, just an uneasy alliance.

6.      The Russians had the ability to interdict the inbound missiles and it seems the chose not to.

7.      The Assad government is wondering why the Russians didn’t lift a finger to stop the attack, or perhaps even inform them it was coming.

8.      The Donald has sent a clear message about the use of chemical weapons to the rest of the world……..well….. maybe!

9.      The discussion of the Bromance between the Tsar and Trump has been knocked off the table. Unless, the “informing” message was more complex than we know.

10.   It’s real hard for the anti-Trump team to blast him over attacking baby killers. But, that won’t stop them, just delay the game a day or two.

Actually, I could go on and on, but the more important part of this story will come to light over the next few days. As a good friend of mine always says, “you have to wait for the next move to understand the first”.

The “IF” game:

I’ve not played this one in a while, but now is the time.

What if the Russians really did know the Syrian government was going to use chemical weapons, again, on civilian areas? Did the Russians miscalculate The Donald’s response? Did they think his statement of last week was a capitulation on Assad? I don’t but that one.

What if the Russians didn’t know the attack was going to take place? What if the team at that airfield allowed the upload of such a weapon to go unnoticed? Could the Syrian Airforce get such a weapon out of storage, prepare it, then move it to the flight line, upload it and launch a mission without the Russian team catching on? You would hope not, but just how attentive was the Russian detachment? Would this not mean the mission took place without Russian approval?

What if the Russians were so upset with the chemical attack, they allowed the US strike to take place? Perhaps that notification process was a two way street?

What if the Assad government acted in conjunction with their closest supporter, the Persians? Yep, my hypothesis from yesterday.

What if the Tsar is quietly more upset with Assad and the Iranians than he is with the actions of the US? Remember, he can’t show a crack in the so called Alliance!

What if the actions of the Syrian government have now boxed in the Tsar? He can’t look weak and he can’t admit he knew about the attack.

Where is this all going?

Yesterday marked a new day in Russian / US relations. Was it a deliberate event on the part of the US or Russia to weaken an already stressed relationship? I don’t think so. The Donald and the Tsar will figure this one out and the common theme will be, “how did this happen? Who is responsible? If my hunch about the Persians is correct, I would bet the ultimate price will be paid in Tehran.

If I’m wrong, and a few of the idiots in DC are correct. If the Russians did have prior knowledge of this event, then the entire theory of a Bromance was never on the table to begin with. If the Tsar was planning on making The Donald look like a fool for reaching out to him, then this is the first move in a very……very….. dangerous moment in history. If The Donald has been played for a sucker, along with the Democrats who are still hysterical about Trump’s “relationship” with the Tsar, then the world is heading down a scary path.

My advice to the Tsar, blame the Iranians. Give yourself an out before this gets way out of hand. The Persians are nothing more than a puppet on a string to the Tsar and that Puppet may have to go, even if they are not responsible.

Oh ya. Little Fat Guy in North Korea, take good notes! The Dragon may only tolerate you for so much longer as  well! 

The Puppets must not be allowed to dictate to the Puppet Masters! 

ASSAD USED CHEMICAL ON HIS OWN PEOPLE, BUT HOW AND WITH WHO’S HELP?

Did Assad use chemical weapons on his own people? Well, here is one answer you may not like, but listen to where I go with this. No! No, he didn’t use chemical weapons on “his people”. He used chemical weapons on those who are trying to destroy his government and those people use to be “his people”. That is how he and his Generals see it. Play on words! One of the favorite games in the region and honestly a preferred game by most political leaders. Can you say Bill Clinton?

The “if”:

If Assad did use chemical weapons on people inside Syria, how did he do it? How was the mission executed? The Russians know Western intelligence can determine what aircraft launched from where as well as what area they flew to. That is why they quickly came up with the storyline of the Syrian government bombed sites that had chemical weapons that belonged to the enemy. Short answer, “ he didn’t bomb them with the chemical weapons, but he did bomb the chemical weapons”! Okay! What is the end result? The end result is the people in the area were exposed to chemical events. Is this an outcome the military planners in Russia and Syria didn’t anticipate? I think we all know the answer to that question.

Who calls the shots in Syria:

How long has it been since Assad really makes the military decisions in Syria? Did he give the green light to bombing a weapons storage area that had chemical weapons in it? Would the Russians or the Iranians agree to such an event? Ah…now we get down to the real meat of this discussion. If the Russians were aware of weaponized chemicals, not just chlorine, being in the hands of the enemy and they decided to destroy those weapons, the right process for doing so would have been followed. Heat! You have to destroy chemical weapons with heat and no one knows that better than the US.  The type of ordinance used on the facilities these weapons may have been stored in would have been chosen to neutralize the chemical threat. That didn’t happen? Why?  

Last week, The Donald seemed to be on the edge of holding hands with the Russians on the issue of Assad and that is exactly what the Tsar was wanting. Vindication. “We were right and the US was wrong about Assad”! Vindication. A process the Tsar loves. So, in the middle of this victory for the Russians, their military walks in the room and says, “Assad is going to use chemical weapons on people in Syria”! Gone! In a virtual flash, the support from DC is gone! Why? Why would the Russians agree to such a thing? If the weapons were in the hands of the enemy, then take them out in the proper way. Did the Russians want to prove the enemy had the weapons? Why? The Donald appeared to be on the verge of giving in on Assad? Why would the Tsar stick his finger in The Donald’s eye at the last second? It didn’t happen that way? It was not an event the Russians planned or authorized.  Okay. Now what? What did happen and why?

The Mastermind:

If this event is a mystery, then what are the clues we need to look for?

Let’s start with a few basic questions.

• ·        Who would benefit from a sudden collapse of the forming Russian / US stance on Syria?
• ·        Who cannot afford to let outsiders determine the future of Syria?
• ·        Who has the ability to talk quietly to the Syrian Air Force and military leaders without the Russians knowing?
• ·        Who would not understand the proper process for attacking chemical weapons safely? Better yet, why would they agree to attack them “safely” if the world wide response is what they were banking on?
• ·        Who would know that if they did get Syria to pull this event off, the Russians could not afford to show what the West has been suspecting all along, a split in their Alliance?

If you don’t know who I am talking about, then you need to follow the region better or move on to another topic.

Yes, chemical weapons were used against Syrian citizens. Citizens that Assad’s government ether sees as traders or collateral damage.

No, the Russians had nothing to do with it.

Yes, the Russians have suffered a humiliating event at the hands of someone.

If Assad knew of this plot, then the Tsar time his next move carefully.

If I were the Persians, I would do everything in my power to convince the Tsar they had nothing to do with it.

By the way. The Turks blamed Assad. Go figure.

PS. If you read this and live in Russia, pass it around and see who might agree with me. 

TILLERSON’S REMARKS ON NORTH KOREAN LATEST MISSILE TEST. ARE THEY REALLY THAT ODD?

Well, once again, CNN is foaming at the mouth over the actions of the Team Trump! ‘ We have no further comment’! JUST 23 WORDS….JUST 23 WORDS!!!! CNN was perplexed! They were finding this so very “odd”!  What is that Trump Team doing now? It seems, according to CNN, if a member of the Trump Team walks out the door, open’s their mouth or looks across the room, something is not right! Something is going to worry the world!

Odd words or move one?

Did the little fat guy plan this missile test to send a reminder to Team Trump as it prepares to meet the Dragon for the first time? Absolutely! Even the Western media was smart enough to figure that one out. Same old same old! A pending meeting preempted by yet another statement or “test”! Nothing new here…nothing to see…..keep walking folks! But wait! The US Secretary of State said something “odd”! Why…….he said, basically, nothing new here folks……keep walking! Now, granted, he could have had his staff draft the same old worn out comments the US Department of State has been making since 1994 when the Team Clinton started this North Korean, nuclear train wreck. Yep, it’s Billy Boy’s mess. Look at my post from Sep 16 of 2016. Twenty two years ago, Bill kicked the can and the West has been kicking it since.

What Tillerson did was, in my opinion, the first move in the discussion with the Dragon over their little out of control fat man. The first face to face meeting with the Dragon, unless the Democrats find out Trump spoke to the Chinese as well, will be all about North Korea. “Deal with North Korea and the issues between us on trade are all workable”. That’s my bet on what the real message is going to be. Now, if we accept this is all just a ploy, then how is it that CNN nearly passed out over Tillerson’s comment? Did the Dragon or the Tsar or South Korea or Japan find the “nothing further to say” statement “odd”? Do they all understand that words on the world stage are nothing more than scene setters before the doors close and real deals are spoken of? Outfits like CNN may hate Trump and they may openly show it, much like FOX did for the previous administration, but they are professional enough to know how the game is played. So, why? Why inflame the event? Why take the risk of pushing this pending meeting in the wrong direction? Does keeping up the hysteria over Team Trump…..trump being a craftsman at your trade? Yes….yes it does! No surprise here, but the US and most of the world, no longer has a true neutral media process.

The meeting:

For all the hysteria over the “odd” statement, the real story is the meeting itself.  Yes, North Korea will be the center piece, the five meter target, of the discussion, but the larger issues between the US and it’s Allies are going to have to be addressed. The South China Seas. That is one that will get a great deal of attention. How willing is the Dragon to discuss this topic? Will the Dragon use the crazy little fat man as the bargaining chip for the issue of the South China Seas? Will the US take the bait? What bait does the US have on the end of its hook? Look. The media has missed the boat on this meeting and why should anyone be surprised? The fact that The Donald will meet Xi before he meets the Tsar tells you everything you may want to know about White House priorities. The fact the media was hardly mentioning this meeting prior to the “odd” statement tells you just how out of the loop, how unprofessional they have become. There was a time this meeting would have been as important to the Western Press as any event held this year. Here is the problem, the US media and most Western partners have become nothing more than Yellow Journalism in the technical clothing of the 21^st Century. They are no longer journalistic in their actions. Campus rags producing slanted dogma, that is what most of them mirror now! The good news is, Trump or his family or one of his staff members will step outside and say a few words or shake hands with someone or even just be seen and the likes of CNN will once again foam at the mouth, rally the so called “experts” and blast away at what the US has become. Important discussions are going to take place in the next few days. Agreements may or may not be made. The fate of Japan and our Pacific Allies may be in the balance, but will the media really pay attention? Wait…what……. Did someone say Donald Trump’s Dog Groomer had traveled to Moscow two years ago? Quick…get the team together it’s time to bash the President.

My bet is, the Dragon has a plan for this meeting and if you want to figure out what took place, you are going to have to read Asia Times.