The entire world was anticipating a nuclear conflict between the US and North Korea. The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics were the gate to a truce and control of the vow of nuclear conflict. The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics were a diplomatic solution to end the decades-long cold war between North and South Korea.
President Donald Trump agreed to the historic face-to-face meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in next May. News of the meeting was delivered by South Korean officials after talks with Trump at the White House.
This is an extraordinary development, and a meeting would make history. Pyongyang has always resorted to the brinkmanship policy to maximize its gains in all possible negotiations. Trump is a man of deals and not a traditional politician. The US president aims to overcome the war of words and hold a meeting with the North Korean president to settle the controversy. President Trump is keen on promoting the foreign policy of his administration. After keeping his promise and recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Trump wants to be the first American president to meet a North Korean leader.
Trump said that North Korea has reportedly agreed to halt nuclear and missile testing and is committed to denuclearization. Earlier, Trump said that there is no need for talks with North Korea. He mocked US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for “wasting his time” trying to talk to North Korea.
These developments are a result of the firm position of the Security Council towards North Korea’s violations. The effects of the international sanctions on North Korea’s economy have been mixed so far, especially after China’s cooperation in carrying out these sanctions. China is an ally of Pyongyang.
The international consensus was a direct input to influencing North Korea’s position. The US administration’s position succeeded in dividing roles through the behind-the-scenes policy led by the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
The Trump-North Korean development allows both leaders to claim victory. The two sides will promote the idea of forcing the other to comply and sit down for negotiations.
The two leaders were able to overcome reciprocal insults and opt for political dialogue and negotiations.
The question is whether the meeting will succeed or will be just a historic hand shake. North Korea has not confirmed that it would give up nuclear weapons. The North Korean leadership has been successful in opposing the West, possessing nuclear weapons and setting barriers with South Korea and the world.
The world must deal with Iran in the same way. Tehran is another face of defiance of the international will. The international community lacks unity and a common strategy to deal with Iran’s violations because of economic and strategic interests. The US talks about withdrawing the nuclear agreement but has no real strategy to address the Iranian influence in the Middle East.
Russia is the Godfather of Tehran and defends Iran in the Security Council. EU hesitates to give a stance on Iran’s violations. China has a neutral position that does not contribute to establishing international peace and security.
South Korea has turned North Korea’s policy upside down with a master class in diplomacy and deserves the vast bulk of the credit for this historic potential meeting. Regional powers can play the same role concerning Iran. But it is admitted that there are differences between Pyongyang and Tehran. The objectives and interests of the US vary according to each State.
Trump wants to do what no US president has done before to contain North Korea. On the contrary, he wants to withdraw the nuclear deal with Iran. The American institutions do not go with Trump’s policy to contain the Iranian threat and think that this should be done peacefully.
