Washington, DC – Foreign Policy for America strongly supports and advocates for diplomatic efforts to resolve international disputes. Diplomacy is a long and tedious process that requires careful, thoughtful negotiations with diplomats and experts working tirelessly behind the scenes, meticulously crafting an agreement that successfully advances the interests of America. But it is still yet to be seen if the Trump administration has fully embraced, or is equipped with the skills to engage in the painstaking work of diplomacy.
The first Trump-Kim summit resulted in the signing of a broad agreement that unfortunately failed to define what it would mean for North Korea to fully denuclearize, or provide clarity on the steps each country would be willing to take to reach that goal. Subsequent discussions between officials from North Korea and United States have also failed to result in these necessary details. Now, nine months after their initial meeting, the two leaders have once again met without providing any additional clarity.
In opening a dialogue with North Korea, President Trump has created a historic opportunity to address North Korea’s nuclear program, but pictures are not enough. Americans are looking to the president to deliver real change in the behavior of Kim Jong-un’s regime. Not press conferences or staged photo ops — but concrete actions that demonstrate a commitment and progress on the part of the North Koreans to achieve denuclearization.
“Diplomatic negotiations are critical for resolving some of the United State’s most pressing national security threats. But what we have seen so far raises legitimate questions about the president’s true intentions for this summit. Is his goal to reduce the risks to American families of a nuclear-armed North Korea — or merely to distract from his challenges at home?” asks Andrew Albertson, executive director, Foreign Policy for America.
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