Friday, August 11, 2017

Trump's Foolish Sabre Rattling Against Venezuela

It's bad enough that President Trump is threatening "fire and fury like the world has never seen" against North Korea. But I guess North Korea now bores him because today he turned his attention to Venezuela stating there is "possible military option" against the Maduro regime.

There's no question that Venezuela is becoming Latin America's version of Zimbabwe with the combination of the collapse of oil prices, shortage of basic items like toilet paper and the jailing of opposition leaders and killing of opposition activists. This collapse was set in motion by the socialist policies of the late Hugo Chavez. His successor Nicolas Maduro doesn't have Chavez's charisma and is rightly viewed as a thug. But unlike North Korea which might very well be able to launch a nuclear war, the chaos in Venezuela is a matter which should be resolved in Venezuela. If that is not possible, it should be resolved by its immediate neighbors, not the U.S. military unless there is a specific request for such assistance. With Trump shooting off his mouth this is now highly unlikely. If anything, Trump's remarks strengthens Maduro's hold on power.

This also demonstrates that Trump has no sense of proportion. While I question Trump threat against North Korea, the fact Trump is going after Venezuela with equal fervor has the effect of trivializing the threat North Korea presents to the United States and the world. To the extent that President Trump has to address matters in North Korea and Venezuela requires him to understand the difference between an aspiring nuclear power and a country on the brink of civil war.

But this would require President Trump to read and study briefing books instead of going on Twitter and insulting his Cabinet. This simply isn't part of Trump's repertoire.


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