Prime requirement for the North Korean athletes is probably having an extended family otherwise they'd never return.
North Korea
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
So, whats the crack with this lot and South Korea.
Are they making a publicity stunt to get some exposure during the olympics, not wanting to be overshadowed by South Korea hosting an event, or could this actually be the start of something good?
South Korea and North Korea have merged for the hockey side right now
Are they making a publicity stunt to get some exposure during the olympics, not wanting to be overshadowed by South Korea hosting an event, or could this actually be the start of something good?
South Korea and North Korea have merged for the hockey side right now
It's interesting...
I mean could Kim and his family be interested in reunification... democracy etc in exchange for them having some sort of total immunity and a ceremonial role?
Equally could the Olympics just be buying time for another set of nuclear tests?
And will trump let reunification happen so he can claim it's because of his tough diplomacy or will he launch a pre emotive strike
I mean could Kim and his family be interested in reunification... democracy etc in exchange for them having some sort of total immunity and a ceremonial role?
Equally could the Olympics just be buying time for another set of nuclear tests?
And will trump let reunification happen so he can claim it's because of his tough diplomacy or will he launch a pre emotive strike
For me the POTUS should make a gesture. Invite the North Koreans to talks, its in everyone interest. Sometimes the US politicians can be so intransigent and dig their heals in. It was the same with Cuba and Castro.
Just reach out and take the higher ground FFS. One thing I have noticed as I travel around the world is just how much we all have in common.
Just reach out and take the higher ground FFS. One thing I have noticed as I travel around the world is just how much we all have in common.
I wasn't just meaning the Orange character currently residing in the White House. I meant all POTUS past and present.
I agree, just couldn't resist.
I wasn't just meaning the Orange character currently residing in the White House. I meant all POTUS past and present.
What’s the caf’s Korean posters take on the unified team and invitation to Moon for talks from the North?
Inevitable.Is it though? It almost seems like the US would rather the two don’t get close.
As long as trump gets a nobel peace prize from it I could see him being ok with it
Is it though? It almost seems like the US would rather the two don’t get close.
It's a dumb "feel-good" publicity stunt. It'll just be for the next few weeks and after the Olympics end it will go back to business as usual.
Reunification won't happen in my lifetime without bloodshed IMO.
Trump will take credit for this in 3.......2.........
They shouldn't include the US in these negotiations.
Trump will probably claim his "fire and fury" rhetoric has worked its magic!
While Trumps methods on North Korea are unorthodox/controversial, it's clearly worked and put the wind up them.
If North Korea do agree to give up its nuclear weapons program, Trump should take credit for it to be fair, this wouldn't have happened with Obama or Hillary.
As much as it pains me to give Trump any credit at all this is a fair point. It is entirely possible that his rhetoric helped move things on and that in some cases being an aggressive bully does work.
Bollocks. His empty threats were just that. I have no problem giving him credit despite my hatred of him, but to credit him here is just nonsense.
I do think Trump was a bit of a factor here. Kim knows he is a bit of a nutter and opted instead to usurp his influence by reaching out to the South, which worked.
I doubt this would've happened if Obama was in office. It could be an inadvertent result of his tough talk in public and behind the scenes work by people who actually know what they are doing that brought Kim to his senses. He hasn't met with any South Koreans for his first 5/6 years in office and now suddenly has a change of heart.
I'm not completely opposed to the idea that Trump's insanity could have helped. Could be it...
Or North Korea's leadership saw an easy US opponent to start a cartoonish battle of words with, so as to scare the rest of the world - particularly South Korea - that with two 'madmen' with nuclear weapons arguing this much there was a serious threat of nuclear conflict, then use this climate of fear to push for a significantly better deal than they believed they previously could have got.
Or they're not really interested in making a deal and just want to feign 'being reasonable' knowing we'll be back to where we were in a couple of months.
Or North Korea's leadership saw an easy US opponent to start a cartoonish battle of words with, so as to scare the rest of the world - particularly South Korea - that with two 'madmen' with nuclear weapons arguing this much there was a serious threat of nuclear conflict, then use this climate of fear to push for a significantly better deal than they believed they previously could have got.
Or they're not really interested in making a deal and just want to feign 'being reasonable' knowing we'll be back to where we were in a couple of months.
I think pressure from China and Japan helped as did the goodwill shown during the Olympics. Also, reports saying that North and South have come together to spite Trump because neither can stand him.
It didn't happen under Obama, but it also hasn't happened yet. Don't count your chickens and all that. Saying that though, who is to say Hillary or Bernie couldn't get Kim to talk?
I agree lots may have happened behind the scenes but I seriously do not think Trump can be credited just for making stupidly provocative statements that threatened the entire world. Trouble is, no matter if he had influence or not his supporters and he will take credit for it and use this as a political stick to beat away every other thing he fails at.
It didn't happen under Obama, but it also hasn't happened yet. Don't count your chickens and all that. Saying that though, who is to say Hillary or Bernie couldn't get Kim to talk?
I agree lots may have happened behind the scenes but I seriously do not think Trump can be credited just for making stupidly provocative statements that threatened the entire world. Trouble is, no matter if he had influence or not his supporters and he will take credit for it and use this as a political stick to beat away every other thing he fails at.
Agreed. He has the crazy scattergun approach. No idea what the feck he is aiming at but claims he is a good shot when something gets hit.
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I doubt the South would want to spite the US when they are hosting thousands of US troops to help protect them. They have always had a fairly conciliatory position towards talking to the North, but never received any reciprocity in that regard because Kim and his Dad would occasionally take one step forward and then three steps back.
This also has to be thought about. Decisions can be made, in part, for reasons beyond what America does - which will get lost in a discussion of 'should Trump get credit' and 'would this have happened under the other lot'.
Not publically no, of course not, but it is no secret that Trump is despised or ridiculed or both by the majority of World leaders. It's also no secret whatsoever that Trump has offended the South and its leadership on a few occasions.
Whatever and whoever is responsible the fact talks are taking place can be seen as nothing but a positive and should be embraced and encouraged and celebrated even though we should still all be cautious and not get our hopes up too much just yet.
This is basically a three way negotiation. Chung Eui-yong, SK's lead negotiator is HR McMaster's South Korean equivalent and talks to McMaster regularly. He is actually supposed to be in Washington after visiting Kim to strategize how to proceed.
That's making my head hurt a bit. The bloke's from South Korea's government?
Yes, sorry i meant the South. He's their lead negotiator who just visited with Kim yesterday and is expected in Washington after finishing up.
And McMaster is one of the saner, more serious members of Trump's team?
EDIT - By which I mean, someone we could've conceivably had as part of a typical Republican administration?
I'd say he's easily, by some distance, the most qualified person Trump has hired.
It was only last week that reports were saying Kelly and Mattis wanted him to get the boot. This administration
Feck my life.It was only last week that reports were saying Kelly and Mattis wanted him to get the boot. This administration
McMaster has historically butted heads with people because of his blunt, uncompromising ways. Trump himself wants to get rid of him, because he apparently briefs him accurately and in great detail.
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Yes, him and Mattis are regular US defense community characters. In alternate universes would not be unusual for them to be drafted into highest level defense positions, military or civilian, even for a Dem administration.
No joke. Trump apparently bristles at the fact that he feels McMaster talks to him like a kid and briefs him with too many details.
You can bet your house that some people would rather have no peaceful resolution whatsoever than one that succeeded because of Trump.
That's why the left remains an object of ridicule.
Yes it's a good idea to take the anti-orange specs off on this one.