The art of not pressing the button
Trump’s strategy hinges on a delicate balance of threat and restraint.
The story
President Trump is withholding new Russia sanctions, citing a desire to negotiate peace, which has drawn criticism from GOP allies who argue it weakens pressure on Putin.
Source: www.foxnews.com
Our reading
Trump’s decision to hold back on new Russia sanctions is like a parent who promises a spanking but then says, “Only if you behave.” The idea is that by keeping the threat of penalties in reserve, he’ll somehow convince Putin to come to the table. But the problem is, Putin isn’t a child. He’s a guy who’s spent years learning how to read the room, and he’s probably thinking, “Why would I negotiate with someone who’s too scared to actually follow through?” The GOP allies, meanwhile, are acting like they’re the ones who wrote the rules, not the ones who just got a last-minute invite to the game. It’s like a group of fans complaining about the coach’s strategy while the team is still on the field.
