Creating negotiating leverage? Trump and Bessent are delusional. Russia already knows that there is, “no daylight” between the US and Ukraine. Were it not for US actions to quash previous negotiations, to supply weapons, ammunition and intelligence, and to fund Ukraine’s government, this war would be over. If Trump thinks that this gives him leverage to pressure Putin to end the war, then it is just one more example of Trump’s detachment from reality. 

      by Larry C. Johnson

Russia’s terms for a war-ending deal are firm — I’ve written about them repeatedly in previous posts. Trump apparently believes that the Russian government, not just Putin, is bluffing. If Witkoff takes this new deal back to Putin, he will get a frosty reception. Trump continues to indulge the fantasy that Russia is suffering unsustainable losses and is looking for a way out from a war, that per Trump’s belief, cannot be won. Putin and his advisors don’t see it that way. They know they will win the war and end Ukraine as a military threat. The ball will then be in NATO’s court — i.e., does NATO want a war with Russia?

It looks like Trump has decided to continue talks with Iran over securing guarantees that Iran will not build a nuclear weapon. According to the Middle East Spectator:

The U.S. has decided, after deliberation, that it will continue negotiations with Iran, as Trump prefers a ‘diplomatic solution’ to the nuclear issue.

I hope that is true. As long as the US and Iran are talking, they are not shooting at each other. However, Iran is not negotiating from a position of weakness. Tehran’s position is simple… it will agree to only process for peaceful purposes and will allow international inspectors to verify Iran’s compliance. If the US insists on Iran eliminating its missiles and ending support for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, then that is a deal killer.

I discussed the latest developments regarding Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinians with Nima. We spent some time discussing the Houthis’ missile launch on Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. Later in the day, I did the regularly scheduled Monday chat with Judge Napolitano. We focused on the removal of Mike Waltz as National Security advisor. If Trump’s goal during his first months in office was to create chaos, then he is doing a damn, fine job.

https://sonar21.com/trumps-delusional-deal-with-ukraine-nuclear-talks-with-iran-back-on-the-agenda/

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.