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‘He doesn’t really mean it’: Trump is bluffing about stopping North Korea’s nuclear weapons, Bolton suggests
The Independent via Yahoo ^ | December 24th, 2019 | Unattributed

Posted on 12/24/2019 12:50:45 PM PST by Mariner

Former national security adviser John Bolton has suggested Donald Trump is bluffing about stopping North Korea from producing nuclear weapons in his most direct criticism of the president’s foreign policy yet.

Mr Bolton, who resigned from the Trump administration in September, accused Mr Trump of having more of a “rhetorical policy” on North Korea rather than a serious plan in an interview with the news website Axios.

“The idea that we are somehow exerting maximum pressure on North Korea is unfortunately just not true,” the former adviser said.

“We're now nearly three years into the administration with no visible progress towards getting North Korea to make the strategic decision to stop pursuing deliverable nuclear weapons.”

His comments come amid heightened tensions after a top North Korean official said the country would send a “Christmas gift” to the US in December.

It is thought that Kim Jong-un is planning to adopt a hardline anti-US policy, which would take denuclearisation off the table and abandon negotiations, according to a CNN report.

Mr Bolton told Axios that if North Korea defies the US, the Trump administration should admit its policy has failed and take a tougher approach on Mr Kim’s leadership.

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: beautifulletters; bestpeople; kabukitheater; mistertoughguy; putinsbuttboys; trollisourlasttroll; trusttheplan
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Comment #61 Removed by Moderator

To: Praxeologue

Bolton has not contested the direct quotes, and he has not complained of any characterizations nor paraphrasing.

The direct quotes are enough to substantiate my initial assertions.


62 posted on 12/24/2019 3:51:03 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Praxeologue

https://www.npr.org/2019/12/19/789933563/transcript-nprs-full-interview-with-john-bolton


63 posted on 12/24/2019 3:58:33 PM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: ThunderSleeps

That’s why we have Counter Force, the preemption of capacity.


64 posted on 12/24/2019 4:02:55 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

Bolton is correct about the lack of effort to put effective pressure on China’s and Russia’s North Korea and Iran, but most Americans, Europeans and other NATO members want to avoid war without regard to the cost in the near future. So have fun. Those of us who don’t trust those nations to keep to themselves and stop their expansionist designs will build fallout shelters and make other family preparations.


65 posted on 12/24/2019 4:35:02 PM PST by familyop ( "Welcome to Costco. I love you." - -Costco greeter in the movie, "Idiocracy")
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To: Mariner

President Trump is still the best president we’ve had in our lifetimes for national security. Bolton probably knows that.


66 posted on 12/24/2019 4:36:49 PM PST by familyop ( "Welcome to Costco. I love you." - -Costco greeter in the movie, "Idiocracy")
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To: Mariner

Bolton, a real POS hiding behind an ugly moustache. He had me fooled for quite some time. It took President Trump to expose him. He and the Mouche are birds of a feather.


67 posted on 12/24/2019 5:14:13 PM PST by CdMGuy
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To: Tucker39
John Bolton's Theme Song
68 posted on 12/24/2019 7:58:33 PM PST by Dr.Deth
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To: Blennos

Axios is a far left news service of some kind. Not to be trusted for even-handedness or even accuracy.


69 posted on 12/25/2019 1:03:00 AM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper (Figures)
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To: Mariner

*** John Bolton is an enemy of the American people. ***

I suggested long ago (years ago) he should be exiled to some island.


70 posted on 12/25/2019 3:55:43 AM PST by sockmonkey (I am an America First, not Israel First FReeper.)
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To: Mariner
EVERYBODY who is against Trump is an enemy of the American people.

So far, that measuring stick has held up good.

71 posted on 12/25/2019 4:08:56 AM PST by meadsjn
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To: Mariner

If all these former conservatives are allegedly pieces of crap, why the hell is Trump hiring them?


72 posted on 12/25/2019 4:28:01 AM PST by Starstruck (I'm usually sarcastic. Deal with it.)
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To: Mariner

Bolton upset Trump hasn’t started a war.

I can’t predict one way or the other, except to say I think war or military conflict will be Trump’s very last option with NK.


73 posted on 12/25/2019 6:46:18 AM PST by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually" (Hendrix))
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Comment #74 Removed by Moderator


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