Perhaps more would be achieved after the next
American election if the leadership changes.
However I have very strong doubts about the
current American leader's abilities to achieve
anything of any substance - especially with an
old deft hand like Putin who knows how to play
the game so well.

Dear Foxy,

I suspect that Putin will play Trump for the vain braggart he is and support his likely bid for a Nobel Peace Prize IF he withdraws the US troops from Syria, and leaves the field from Afghanistan's borders to the Mediterranean to Iran and the Russians. Of course, then it would be on for young and old between the Shi'ites across that region, and the Sunnis to the north and south of it.

But no biggie, Trump might get his Prize. Pity the poor bastards in Syria.

As for the Koreas, I suspect that China, South Korea and Japan (and maybe other Asian countries) are working away at developing a broad Non-Aggression and Mutual Economic Development Pact between all of them and North Korea, perhaps at a Conference in Hanoi or Ulaan Bator or Singapore, to which the US may not be invited.

But at least, even then, Trump can claim that he has forced North Korea to the table, and deserves another Peace Prize: that's the way to do it, folks - threaten to bomb the crap out of a country, call its leader 'fat boy' and 'little rocket man', and claim that his button (and implicitly other bits) is bigger than Kim's. Yeah, that might do it.

Or maybe not ......

Love,

Joe

Dear Joe,

I watched 'QandA' on the ABC last night (30th April, 2018).
It was an interesting panel from the Writers' Festival in
Sydney. Quite a few Americans, especially journalists
espousing their views. The writer, Masha Gessen's take on
things was especially useful. She's originally from Russia,
and now lives in New York. She wrote a book about Putin. So
she's seen both sides of the coin so to speak.

I found the commentary rather depressing.
With a rather bleak outlook for the US under this President.
What I don't understand is, how come he's still in office?

Hi Foxy,

i just came across this quote from Niall Ferguson's 'The Square and the Tower', a history of networks and hierarchies, well worth reading. It's from Alexander Hamilton, one of the US founding Fathers:

"A dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidding appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants." [p. 116, Ferguson]

Wow, how's that for foresight ? More than two hundred years before the event ?

Love,

Joe

Dear Joe,

Thank You for the quote.

It is very apt.

And, it matches what Peter Costello expressed in his Memoirs.
He wrote:

"My eighteen years in Parliament - in Opposition and in
Government - have confirmed me in the conviction, formed
in my youth, that politics, for all its rough edges, is a
civilised and civilising calling. Despite all the obloquy
shovelled on the head of politicians, they are men and women
who work the machinery of our liberal democratic way of life.
They reflect public opinion - and at their best lead public
opinion - and transmute it into laws that shape our society
and our country..."

Cosatello listed the problems our country faced and he stated
that "We must deal with these to move forward as a free, fair,
and vibrant society. I have no doubt we can find the solutions
that suit us..." And then he added:

"provided we do not succumb to the siren calls of demagogues,
charlatans and ideologues."

And that is a warning that we'd be wise to take.

Thanks, Foxy, Political Theory 101 for Trump. Although a bit too late now.

Love,

Joe