"This week has been possibly the best week of Donald Trump's life in politics. It was win, win, win all the way. How was it for Putin? The same as always. An isolated guy with dirty oil to sell and a worn-down military, mired in an endless war with another country."
Trump has said this more than once since he was sworn in as POTUS 47, he wants to be remembered as a peace maker. One who not only can maintain the peace, but where there is war, he wants to help end it. So far - so good. He is much the same as he was during POTUS 45, only his style and mannerisms are much better this time around. That bullet which almost took Trump's life - changed him. Mellowed him. Sharpened his focus. How much so? Just check out what Trump got done in one short week in the Middle East.
Trump wants to do whatever he can to help put an end to the killing in Ukraine. This is a "stupid war" (Trump's words) and should end right now. Way too many young men on both sides are dying horrible deaths. And Iran and its proxies - he has a plan for Iran. He wants Iran to be successful, and the USA stands ready to help. All Iran has to do is get rid of his nuclear bomb ambitions. Plus, stop funding its radical proxies. When the funding stops, the mayhem the proxies are unleashing on Israel will stop. But just to be clear - it is the carrot and the stick for Iran. Right now, Trump is offering the carrot. Should Iran continue on its present course, Trump has promised the stick. And he will use it.
Putin on the other hand, is the town bully. He has turned over the applecart in Europe. He has as much interest in peace, as he does having another colonoscopy. Just this week, Zelenskyy flew to Turkey to meet with Putin to discuss truce or a lasting peace. Putin was a no-show. Why? Maybe Putin thinks he is winning the war. Maybe he does not want peace - only an absolute victory. Trump was in the neighborhood and offered to meet with both of them. That never happened as Putin never showed. Poor form by a man who exhibits poor form every day.
Both Germany and Poland are afraid this war in Ukraine will not end well. Ukraine will fall, and then Russia will set its sights on the Balkans or maybe even Poland. After that, maybe Germany. By chasing war instead of peace, Putin is now isolated. Even Xi of China has just about had it with him. The deal Trump is making with the new Syria, excludes Russia. Period. Thus, Putin is an island. He is toxic.
The contrast between Trump and Putin right now is stark. Trump is winning friends and winning business. Putin is losing just about everything. However, the stubborn part of Putin thinks he can still win the war with Ukraine. No matter the cost to Russia in blood and treasure.
This week has been possibly the best week of Donald Trump's life in politics. It was win, win, win all the way. How was it for Putin? The same as always. An isolated guy with dirty oil to sell and a worn-down military, mired in an endless war with another country.
There is one caveat about Donald Trump, however. Even though he sees himself as a peace maker and peacekeeper, there is an exception. {If I may paraphrase as bit}, "If you hurt my country, or the people who live there, or hurt our partners, our military will show you power you won't believe - and I won't even think twice about using it." Now that - is peace through strength.
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