This is possibly the best I've heard Rahm Emmanuel (who is, I admit, clearer to hear than to read). And kudos to Meidas Touch @meidastouch.com for making the absolute most of his areas of expertise, particularly on the intersections of economic and defense relationships and the Asian theater. - ThreadSky

mullinshere.bsky.social • 2 days ago

This is possibly the best I've heard Rahm Emmanuel (who is, I admit, clearer to hear than to read). And kudos to Meidas Touch @meidastouch.com for making the absolute most of his areas of expertise, particularly on the intersections of economic and defense relationships and the Asian theater.

Reposted from Martin Rayner

More of the Trump regime’s reckless and ill-considered geopolitical fuckitude... this time from an Asian perspective, courtesy of Rahm Emanuel, former Ambassador to Japan during the Biden administration.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaKl...

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alicesblunderland.bsky.social•2 days ago

Trump is mad we protect Japan, but Japan doesn't protect us. Twisting reality to fit his narrative.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the US disbanded Japan's Military during the Occupation after WWII. The agreement was we became their defense. It was to the US benefit.

hotcatmana.bsky.social•2 days ago

OK, so if like other locations, the USA have committed to military protection over some other benefits it gave to them. So what makes anyone he’s trying to bully and coerce in the world that he would keep one word of any agreement that he makes. He’s already broken so many you can’t trust him .

asteroidx.bsky.social•2 days ago

Japan is the biggest holder of USA debt at over $1.2T. Trump is an idiot to pick a fight in that arena over nothing.

Also they are beginning to rearm as they see how unreliable we can be as a defense partner. WW2 was long ago and that post war agreement ended in 1954.

alicesblunderland.bsky.social•2 days ago

Well, we still have 15 bases and about 55k service members there, so yeah, the agreement has ended, but we've never let go of our control over there, which has always been to our benefit.

asteroidx.bsky.social•2 days ago

That about sums it up yeah.

The Island chain that runs between Taiwan and Japan is a big deal. By keeping control of that area we prevent China submarines deep water access into the Pacific.

Now we are in soft power conflict over Panama canal with China. Scary times. Irrational leaders.

martinrayner.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’ve got a lot a problems with Rahm’s domestic politics, but if nothing else, he’s a realist, and is calling it straight here, imho.

mullinshere.bsky.social•2 days ago

Agreed. He was very clear here - a lot clearer than the last time I encountered him - and especially helpful in spelling out what international relationships encompass and the dangers of hammering at one piece or the other. This was a good interview, thanks for sharing it!

martinrayner.bsky.social•2 days ago

We cannot discount the opinions of people we may have profound disagreements with in some respects... heck, I just came off a listening to an interview with John Bolton (of all people!) and found myself agreeing with pretty much everything he had to say about Trump. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

trudheim.bsky.social•2 days ago

The main problem for Trump is that he's strictly transactional and zero-sum.

If it does not *directly* benefit him and looks like he wins and you lose - he's against it.

He has no concept of long term strategy or of doing something as a favour, because alternatives are worse.

hotcatmana.bsky.social•2 days ago

This point he’s just a mob boss in the White House and his only transactions are bullying people into paying him protection money. They’re not standing up to him and so he’s will keep on doing it

melissahbuckner.bsky.social•2 days ago

China smells blood in water with Trump’s idiocy and incompetence. Moving quickly to take advantage of Trump-led weaknesses. Damage to US military alliances and economy could be extensive. Dems Deliver. Republicans Ravage.

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