The stage has been set in Hanoi, Vietnam, for two-day denuclearization talks to resume between North Korea military leader Kim Jong Un and United States President Donald Trump. There is no accident about the choice of the venue and host for these talks, as Vietnam shares a history with both countries.
Vietnam's path toward the prosperity it holds today may significantly influence the outcome of the summit talks between North Korea and the United States. At least, that's what President Trump may be hoping will happen.
In a Tweet, he touted Vietnam's progress saying, "Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth."
The U.S. President went on with his message saying that North Korea could achieve what Vietnam has, if the former emulates the latter's example by denuclearizing. He dangles the "awesome" and "great opportunity" for "his friend," referring to North Korea's Kim.
The whole world is watching and probably wondering if that is all the plan there is that Trump has prepared and whether he has considered Kim may not go along nicely with it. It would all be very well and good indeed if it were as easy as that, analysts argue.
However, North Korea's history with Vietnam going way back to the time of the Vietnam War and the involvement of the U.S. in it, as well as its past with Cambodia and Hanoi's subsequent overthrow of Pol Pot may very well post a different view for the North Korean leader Kim to consider.
On the other hand, for economic reasons, North Korea's Kim could consider dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear site, as well as other testing areas the regime has. It may also continue holding off testing of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
But President Trump has made it clear that he is willing for the situation to remain where it is, with the halt of nuclear testing. He has expressed at a White House gathering Sunday evening that he is "not in a rush" and is content for as long as no nuclear testing is taking place.
Think-tank Bruce Klingner of The Heritage Foundation who has specialized in Korea while formerly serving the CIA believes that Trump should not get into a peace declaration with the North Korean leader while the latter insists on operating nuclear programs.
Whatever it is that he has up his sleeve, President Donald Trump is well advised by Security Studies expert, Jim Walsh, who is involved in the security program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to keep in mind implications of any agreement signing which may have far-reaching effects on a regional scale and not settle for a mere "public relations" victory.