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 presidents 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 Kims leadership.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
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.
That’s why we have Counter Force, the preemption of capacity.
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.
President Trump is still the best president we’ve had in our lifetimes for national security. Bolton probably knows that.
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.
Axios is a far left news service of some kind. Not to be trusted for even-handedness or even accuracy.
*** John Bolton is an enemy of the American people. ***
I suggested long ago (years ago) he should be exiled to some island.
So far, that measuring stick has held up good.
If all these former conservatives are allegedly pieces of crap, why the hell is Trump hiring them?
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.