If statesman A keeps calling statesman B a “smart guy,” but the latter, instead of reciprocating, proceeds to praise person C, who is statesman A’s famous enemy, as “a shrewd and mature politician,” the message ought to be fairly obvious.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin heaped fulsome praise on his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un, whom US President Donald Trump derides as a “Little Rocket Man” with a “small button,” it is at once symbolic and meaningful for US-Russia ties as well.
At a meeting with top Russian editors last Thursday at the Kremlin, Putin had the following to say about Kim:
“I think that Kim Jong Un has obviously won this round. He has achieved his strategic goal. He has a nuclear warhead, and now he also has a missile with a global range of up to 13,000 kilometres, which can reach almost any part of the globe, at least in the territory of his potential adversary. And now he wants to clear up, smooth over or calm down the situation. He is a shrewd and mature politician.
“However, we should be realistic, and… act extremely carefully. If we want to achieve the difficult goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, we should do this through dialogue and talks… we can accomplish this mission if all parties, including North Koreans, become convinced that their security can be also guaranteed without nuclear weapons.”
Simply put, Putin congratulated Kim for leading Trump up the garden path while focusing single-mindedly on attaining the core objective of ‘mutually assured destruction’ (MAD) vis-à-vis the US. Kim now has his nuclear warhead and delivery system. Henceforth, denuclearization of North Korea can be possible only if the US and North Korea “become convinced that their security can also be guaranteed without nuclear weapons.”
Putin meant that small countries with an acute sense of vulnerability resort to the nuclear path as an asymmetrical response to perceived threats. His warning came on the eve of Trump’s momentous decision on Friday to keep the US in the Iran nuclear deal by waiving a raft of sanctions until May 12.
The similarities are striking. In both cases, there is really no military option open to the US except options that risk enormous destruction to its own assets and human lives.
Iran’s capacity to thwart US aggression is no smaller than North Korea’s. Both have felt compelled to embark on the path to nuclear mastery in light of the existential threat posed to them by the US. Nationalism has morphed into anti-Americanism and no amount of demonizing can hide that unpalatable truth.
The US risks bring marginalized. Putin underscored that Moscow sees through the western attempt to “destroy” Russia’s relations with Iran and Turkey, adding that “we will show solidarity with one another.” His remarks fly in the face of Trump’s four-month countdown on Iran.
Again, Russia is positioning itself to act if the talks between the two Koreas gain traction – by extending the Trans-Siberian railway line via North Korea to South Korea and also by building oil and gas pipelines connecting Siberia and the Russian Far East with Korean markets.
On a broader plane, Putin, without doubt, also had in mind the current Russian-American talks regarding a new START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty). In fact, he mentioned the talks as an addendum to his commendatory remarks on Kim’s strategic defiance of the US.
Washington insists that it reserves the right to unilaterally convert some of its delivery vehicles (aircraft and submarines) and silos, while Moscow maintains that the existing treaty specifically gives Russia the prerogative to verify any such conversions and satisfy itself that they involve no “breakout potential” – in other words, that silos, aircraft and submarines are not being adapted to launch nuclear weapons.
On the surface, Putin’s commendation of Kim’s smartness in outwitting the US is a statement of fact, but it also contains a broader message for the American elites. Putin effectively cited the examples of North Korea and Iran (and Turkey) to flag the geopolitical reality that the US will be countered in its attempt (as per Trump’s National Security Strategy 2017) to change the global strategic balance in its favor.
The broad thrust of Putin’s message was that it is about time the American elites got to realizing that it is not smart to seek “absolute security” in the emerging international system.
It might be that Putin’s remarks have no hidden motives and that he was just telling things the way he sees it. Indeed, it seems that Kim JongUm is a much smarter guy than Trump and his advisors put together. The objective of the USA was to prevent North Korea from having nuclear bombs that can put at risk the lives of the Americans. Despite all the efforts of USA, North Korea is now a fully fledged nuclear power with ICBMs that can strike any city in USA, including Washington DC. In other words, North Korea can, with its H-bombs, vaporize tens of millions Americans.
I think the Iran leader was right when he concluded that Reagan is smarter and in a more powerful position than Trump. If Kim who is also a new player can outsmart Trump with all his trumpeted business success, then I wonder what Trump think he can achieve against seasoned politicians like Ayatollah Khamenei and president Rouhani even Hassan Nasrallah. What Trump his minions fails to grasp is that success in business which entails direct personal interest where everything is there to do your biding in a whiff is different from politics with all the intertwined intricacies and embedded deep states institutions.
I revel in the fore knowledge that he is leading the US down the trajectory, and with Israel strongly attached to its apron paving the way for humanity victory over these evil empire, a victory well deserved.
I like PUTIN! Having said that I assure you that if Kim ever threatens Russia all of North Korea would glow in the dark for the next ,2 thousand years!!!
I like you! Your English is fair! But wouldn’t you say that you being a Nigerian would use caution when insulting the USA? In view of the fact your people owe their very existence to US foreign aid? I won’t insult you with unemployment or poverty statistics from your country or criminal activity! Please let me know when your people achieve perfection or even third world status so I will believe in your right to criticize others ok! May the blessings of Allah be on you!
America should and must relax period. The world is bigger than America. You have your own internal troubles regarding social justice against minority. Do not try to control the to your liking please
Danny Hall Sorry, usually I do not interfere in other peoples discussion, but this is so arrogant, leaves one speachless. Nigeria is a country with a great human potential, and great resource potential. It is now a colony of Western interest, and all the mysery is due to the Western controls, and corrupt elite. Any Nigerian or for that matter anybody — knows that the Western economic model is based on the plunder of weaker entities, espeially in region like Africa, where the nation states had no time to gain strength following the era of overt colonialization. Westerm model is a failure, and it will take a long time for its corrosive influence to fade. Just like in US, people in Nigeria have little power to change anything. It will ge the product of the economic changes, that the world will move on.
Branka Alhamdy
After what you’ve written I believe I don’t need to reply Danny Hall. Thanks for being on the side of humanity.
Branka Alhamdy Hear hear.
Danny Hall The people of the USA ( at least many) are Angels, exceptionally Angels,
north korea was forced to have nucler option after seeing thr fate of Saddam Hussain and Col. Gaddafi . Putin is right in his assesment that Kim is a smart politician.
It’s as clear as day that America is losing the clout and influence it once had. Little Kim has outsmarted the great USA and this buffoon is here talking trash. Touch North Korea and watch Manhattan go up in flames. #fishhead
Technology is Changing the Situations right across the Globe and Charles Dawn’s theory of "Survival of the Fittest " will soon apply where it comes Territorial Defense – Not tough language any more.
Danny Hall,when you see those northerners Nigeria with highest illiteracy tribe, do not acknowledge their words of deceit and evil missions, thanks for understanding
My question is, why all these nuclear weapons for, we are the people that wish ourselves war by thinking of developing those arms
Danny Hall I hate war too!! and I love your comment. I want a peaceful world
no weapons
The strongest step towards peace wld be if America stops meddling in other countries internal affairs,creating terrorists,rebel groups,stay clear of other’s resources and stop thinking themselve as world police. And their pet friend Britain.
Trump is mentally ill
Danny Hall
This is where Trump and his students always get it wrong. Do you think live our lives will come to an end without your so called aid?
Sorry"mentally ill"
Trump is not mentality. He is not just as greedy,sinister and evil minded as the past Hillary clinton’s obama government. The world is already becoming calmer under trump. The number of terrorist and rebel groups have not gone up. War in Syria and middle east are dying down. Nato is knowing their place,the new world order is on the check. I believe the korean situation will be taken care of soon without violence. That’s just what the world needs not toppling governments and dipping countries into crisis here and there. Look at Libya and look at the current government in Nigeria.
According to his words and character, he needs close supervision
Ransford Amankwah Bolombo In answer to your question! I hope not! But look at the bright side you can always get help from your good friends in North Korea and Russia! They have given you absolutely nothing so far! But keep the faith my friend !
If there’s something I have learnt in recent years. It’s owning up to whatsoever people say I am. If you call me a criminal well, prepare to be duped. If you see me as a friend, you will never walk alone. If you see me as a Snake, expect me to bite you in the end. I no longer have the strength in proving or changing what people "Think" about me because, most times the way people think can be so shallow..
Danny you westerners blab about how criminal minded African states are my question is WHO TAUGHT US?
Deeka Charles Ndeori I’m a bit curious! Maybe you can enlighten me ! Is the only reason for your love for the North Korean dictator who starves his own people! And expressed extreme hatred for all religions (especially Islam) due only to your hatred for USA? Good you think you know what other countries will do in any given situation! Also your insults only show your small mind!
I respectfully disagree with PUTIN on that assessment! A dictator who holds his own people prisoner, and starves them not to mention forces them to witness the execution of anyone caught trying to escape is not a smart politician! He will die at his own people’s hands just like Sadam Hussein did! It’s just a matter of time! Open your eyes and read the testimony of the people who have escaped from North Korea!
Stan Ebouka In answer to your question! (It wasn’t me) and just so you know my best friend in this world is a native of southern Cameroon! I don’t have any bad feelings or prejudice of Africans! I don’t judge anyone or hate anyone because of where they were born or their religion or the color of their skin! To me all men are brothers!
How I love Putin and strategies. A fine politician
best i would say keepin the new world order freaks at bay
Danny Hall I beg to differ with you. Putin was spot on in his comments about Kim. Do you know how many Koreans were killed in the Korean war? This was all in the name of fighting communism just like in Vietnam. People make sacrifices and like Putin said N.Koreans will eat grass before giving up their Nukes, what do you suppose he meant by that comment?
Darwin is irrelevant in the world.
The world has now evolved to a point where the US has to consider the consequences of its acts, something it never had to do before. It just did whatever it pleased. This was very unhealthy for the world and for US society as well.
Danny Hall you relied on what you were told by your government to say what you don’t know about Nigeria. Learn to think independently of your government’s lies and what the US media sells to you by investigating more.
Danny Hall by the time the US stops playing the self-acclaimed policeman of the world, we’ll all have that convincing to stay out their business. Until then, the status quo remains.
Having said that, I’d like to know if the US could measure to our(Nigerian) standard in their 50 years after independence.
We’ve experienced military rules , civil war, insurgency, militancy, herdsmen attack, corruption, under-development – it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to know why we are here as a nation.
Instead of you to apologize to Africans for what your forefathers did by selling the wrong system to us, you’re blaming the victims.
Your IMF and world bank should stop defining poverty to us – we have our ways and culture. Tell them to stop selling destructive ideas to those stooges we have as leaders here; destructive ideas cloaked in roses.
I’m yet to see where your aid is put into anymeaningful developmental projects in Nigeria.
You’re just being mendacious by thinking our collective existence is tied to your conditional aids.
We are not where we’d want to be, but we are working to get there despite our numerous challenges.
Tell your government to repatriate our stolen funds stashed in various banks in your country. Your people abet corruption by creating room for corrupt officials to stash their stolen funds.
We can survive without your aids. America is not richer than Nigeria. What we lack is leadership.
Ransford Amankwah Bolombo If Trump actually had his way, this wouldn’t be happening. The world went after the wrong man. The Democrats are your true enemy, he may say things you consider awful but he’s really harmless.
Branka Alhamdy is that what you tell yourself? I am a Nigerian and I can say without fear of contradiction that our problems are entirely self-inflicted. Our complete inability to develop our own; the inordinate greed and constant pilferage of public resources by public office holders is the reason for our present state not some western colonialist that gave us the right to rule ourselves some more than half a century ago.
Russia, US, Iran, Korea should start fighting so that our crude oil price will rise as it happened during the Gulf War