Grading the Singapore Summit: The most fair-minded answer is that it’s too soon to tell.

National Review ^ | 06/12/2018 | Jonah Goldberg

[SeekAndFind]

How to grade the Singapore summit? I think the most fair-minded answer is that it’s too soon to tell, but there’s every reason in the world to be deeply skeptical that Kim will make good on his commitments to “de-nuclearize.” Why? Because: North Korea has promised to do exactly that — with far more specificity — in the past. The actual paper agreement that Trump and Kim signed is not just worthless on its own, it’s less than worthless given that it literally recycles past worthless promises as if they are new ones. That’s contrary to the opinions of a lot of people on Twitter and TV who think — and feel — that this is Trump’s masterstroke. This isn’t a criticism of Trump. It’s just a simple recognition of reality. The Norks have bamboozled everyone else who extracted promises from them. By all means, let’s hope for the best. But North Korean duplicity is normal.

Moreover, there’s good reason to believe that if Kim were sincere about getting rid of his nukes, his own regime would kill him. The nuclear program is a unifying tool of state propaganda, celebrated and mythologized in grade schools and everywhere else in Korean society. Expecting them to get rid of them is like expecting the Hell’s Angels to forswear motorcycles in favor of minivans.

Still if Kim is actually sincere this time, then the summit will prove to be a huge success. That is a monumental “if,” but it’s one I think every sane person should hope for.

Comments

However, there are many people who want to score the summit as an instant success or failure in real time. On those terms, here are some preliminary notes on my scorecard.

It’s a success if:

• You think a general improvement of relations with North Korea is a desirable end in itself.
• You care deeply and sincerely about the return of American remains from the Korean War (by the way, we pay the North Koreans about $1 million for each set of remains, so this isn’t quite the “goodwill” gesture it’s being made out to be).
• You think we were in fact on the brink of war during the whole “fire and fury” chapter and that talking is always preferable to fighting.
• You think North Korea deserves to be welcomed back into the community of nations and be seen as a co-equal nation with the United States of America.
• You think any spectacle where Trump dominates the news coverage is good.
• You’re Dennis Rodman.
• You’re a Republican strategist eager to keep the peacemaker story through the midterms.
• You’re Kim Jong-un.

It’s a failure if:

• You thought the international opprobrium on North Korea was well-deserved and maintaining pressure on the regime was a valuable and correct policy.
• You think an American president heaping praise on an evil dictator in exchange for worthless promises is grotesque.
• You thought Trump could simply walk into a room and charm North Korea out of its nuclear weapons.
• You place a high value on the issue of human rights and the evils of the North Korean gulag.
• You think U.S.–South Korea military exercises are too valuable a chip to trade for more implausible promises (though in fairness, there’s plenty of time to restart them on schedule, so this may have been a clever and costless chip — though not informing the Pentagon about this in advance strikes me as ill-advised).

[Mariner]

“An “A” for just getting to the table.”

It’s something Norklandia has wanted for at least 40 years.

And all US Presidents refused without verifiable factors on the ground.

Still, I’m supportive of talking to these guys, seeing if we can prevent the cost of their destruction.

[tennmountainman]

Another Never Trumper chimes in.

[jospehm20]

He is probably constantly uncomfortable. DJT said he doesn’t know how to buy pants.

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/donald-trump-jonah-goldberg-pants/

[IWontSubmit]

Jonah Goldberg hailing a NYC cab:

[arthurus]

Kim may not conform but Trump has more moves that he can and would make in that eventuality.

[arthurus]

Than piece of what?

[nikos1121]

He’s a younger version of George will. He’s an idiot. I don’t waste five seconds reading or listening to him.

[Parley Baer]

The problem for Jonah is he has been a never-Trumper from day one. So his credibility is zilch.

[SMARTY]

“Too soon...” ???

Gotta start SOMEWHERE

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Jonah Goldberg is a very, very slow learner that being a never-Trumper is very,very bad for his economic future.

[shanover]

The left and #Nevertrump wants this to fail. I actually think this all may work out.

[Moe-Patrick]

Hey Jonah, be careful who you call an "evil dictator". What about a oligarchy ruled by a Uniparty that attempts a coup on a duly elected government of the people. Is that an "evil dictatorship" How about a Deep State that sends young men and woman to war for no just cause?

Fantastic post!

[353FMG]

If Kim plays his cards right he’ll be shitting in tall cotton.

[yoe]

[1Old Pro]

Instant success for phase 1 of many.

[VRWCarea51]

NEWSFLASH:

Jonah Goldburg suffers from TDS BUTTHURT

[dirtymac]

just the fact that it happened is a great success that no other President has been able to pull off since 1954.

[Rapscallion]

Both sides get A+ so far.
Let us hope they are both successful.

[Wuli]

I concur. What it was was giving Kim the one thing he needed personally and domestically just to get a formal in-progress negotiation stage going - some respect on the international stage. Now he can go home and sell himself as even bigger than his father and grandfather, each of whom never met personally with any U.S. president. What Kim does with that everyone will have to wait and see. How much vigilence Donald Trump maintains in any details, everyone will also have to wait and see.

Let’s call complete and verifiable de-nucleariztion “the fat lady” and everyione knows it’s not over until the fat lady sings, if she ever does sing.

[DesertRhino]

“— though not informing the Pentagon about this in advance strikes me as ill-advised).”

Gosh, it’s almost like he thinks the military must follow HIS orders! Doesn’t he know he needs to make sure he checks with them first?

And if the modern Pentagon doesn’t have it already, they need to acquire the skill set of learning to anticipate rapid changes in what they may be doing.