paxamericana

In one word, Russians. Seriously, they're just holding Afghanistan's peace process in hostage for spite. This is like a disgruntled child crying out even though they know what is good for them. There is no strategic advantage to help the Taliban in Afghanistan other than spite. Russia has been trying to stabilize the region since the 60s. They do not need more opium and terrorist coming out of their backyard. ""The State Department argues that Russia's support for the Taliban perpetuates instability across the region. It's not an area of cooperation for them yet," explained a senior State Department official of Russia's failure to work with the U.S. in Afghanistan. The country is an area where Russia "can make points" about their displeasure with general state of bilateral relations....official indicated that Moscow is holding peace in Afghanistan hostage as their bilateral relations with the U.S. grow more toxic." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-says-russian-support-for-taliban-hurts-peace-process-in-afghanistan/

That's why we were trying to work out a deal to open up free trade for both sides. But apparently you guys want to play hard ball.

Here's an official count if you're interested...https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/05/politics/trump-putin-obama-phone-calls/index.html Trump-Putin calls (8) March 20, 2018 February 12, 2018 December 17, 2017 December 14, 2017 November 21, 2017 May 2, 2017 April 3, 2017 January 28, 2017 Trump-Merkel calls (14) March 27, 2018 March 2, 2018 September 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 September 4, 2017 July 6, 2017 July 3, 2017 June 1, 2017 April 24, 2017 April 10, 2017 April 5, 2017 March 28, 2017 March 13, 2017 January 28, 2017 Trump-Macron calls (27) June 1, 2018 May 13, 2018 May 8, 2018 April 30, 2018 April 26, 2018 April 14, 2018 April 9, 2018 April 8, 2018 April 4, 2018 March 27, 2018 March 21, 2018 March 10, 2018 March 2, 2018 January 11, 2018 January 7, 2018 December 4, 2017 November 27, 2017 November 18, 2017 October 6, 2017 September 19, 2017 September 8, 2017 August 12, 2017 August 4, 2017 June 27, 2017 June 1, 2017 May 8, 2017 January 28, 2017 (Hollade) Trump-May calls (26) June 4, 2018 May 11, 2018 May 5, 2018 April 14, 2018 April 12, 2018 April 10, 2018 March 28, 2018 March 13, 2018 March 5, 2018 February 6, 2018 January 25, 2018 December 19, 2017 November 1, 2017 October 10, 2017 October 2, 2017 September 21, 2017 September 15, 2017 September 6, 2017 July 8, 2017 June 9, 2017 June 3, 2017 June 1, 2017 May 23, 2017 April 18, 2017 April 10, 2017 March 22, 2017 Obama-Putin calls (2016 and 2015) -- (9) July 6, 2016 April 18, 2016 March 14, 2016 February 22, 2016 February 14, 2016 January 13, 2016 July 15, 2015 June 25, 2015 February 10, 2015

We are engaging with everyone, though it seems like half of you guys in the west has develop an allergic reaction to trump. Our secretary of defense and state are engaging with all parties. They've been travelling non stop since they were put in office. Trump likes to golf alot so he lets better people do the negotiation and tell him in bullet points what his options are. So far he has the right people in place.

But they definitely will win brownie points

WRONG! hourly. breakfast, lunch and dinner, in the car, at the airport, on the toil... Having good relationship with world leaders is probably a good thing. Keeps the channel for communication open. I wouldn't look at it further than that. Ultimately everything has to be done through the CIA and State Department. There is a process for international relationship/interest. I wouldn't worry too much little canada. Big bro will deal with those big bad guys.

I think out of the many qualities that Jimwd professes to love about trump I think his favorite would be the ability to slith...listen. I think that is what makes a great leader, the ability to listen to feedback, good feedback and trump definitely has that ability.

I'm what you call a constitutionalists. I do not believe that any of the problems we are facing now has not already been solved by previous generations. A lot of those problems were addressed in the constitution. You just have to read in between the lines and interpret them. It is a good source for your moral imperative/back bone. From examples in history we can derive a guiding light to our solution. But it all start from a fundamental core value that is shared. The subject of trust and lack of fundamental friendliness is due to the erosion of these core values.

I think this issue is a non starter because it doesn't solve one fundamental fact. How to reconcile with those you disagree. How can you turn something that is potentially a zero sum game into a win win game. So you have to have leaders willing to do the right thing with feedback and hold them accountable. But that feedback has to be tempered. We all know too well of public hysteria and knee jerk reaction, mob rule essentially. The process for reconciliation start with your core fundamental values, to respect one another (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness etc...). Technology can solve many problems but It can't solve what is essentially a human problem. It's quite obvious to me that a lot of us who debate on this forum seem to have lost a fundamental friendliness to one another. Politicians are subject to the same problem.

I see the disdain there. To be honest I'm surprise it hasn't gone into open revolt. Do you need big brother to go sort it out ? I think our colleague Jimwd would approve of american intervention, I think he was just jealous that america has given the rest of the world so much attention and not Canada... this time though, in his backyard.

Jeeezus you guys have got to reconcile with one another about that.

Jimmm I found you a comrade....https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/06/19/commie-cadet-sends-vulgar-message-on-his-way-out-of-the-army/

our special ops guy sometimes carried tomahawk... guess the guy thought he might have to dig his way out if the tunnel collapsed.

Total badass.... our uk brothers are having a go. come join us canucks. Killed 3 guys with a hammer inside underground tunnel. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/06/19/british-special-forces-soldier-killed-six-taliban-in-pitch-black-viet-cong-style-tunnel-fight/

Jimmmm where have you been all my life.

The 2018 national defense strategy. Indo-pacific region is priority theater Navy reliant force Modernizing nuclear deterrence for supersonic and direct energy laser Cyber and Space force. Establish insurgency war fighting skill as part of infantry core competency Re-affirm commitment to allies and build new relationships. Courtesy of our lorde and savior. 2018-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf

Can we just stop bickering amongst ourselves. Lets focus on the best way forward. I think legislature should adopt policies that encourages legal immigration where possible. That being said, the ultimate issue is what kind of people should we allow in. We have to make sure they are people who can contribute to society and take care of themselves. So when they do come in they are able to take full advantage of our American dream and not be subject to exploitation, hence the emphasis on "legal". It is not reasonable to expect the US to take in everyone that come seeking assylum. Nor should we turn everyone away from their desparate flight. This is where the issue arise. Whilst they are in the purgatory stage of applying for asylum, what immigrant status should we allow? Should they be detained or set free and run the risk of never coming back for the asylum hearing. Or adopt policies that allow for a probationary period where they are allow to legally work and demonstrate their contributions like a try out. Policy needs enforcement to be effective. What tools do we have to allow ourself to enforce these policies.

So you're a pro catch and release person. Because that was the Obama administration's policy. That's only adding more fuel to the fire. This problem requires a bi-partisan solution. Other than paying mexico or another country to house these people I don't think a solution does exist in the short run. You need economic stability and security for the long term solution.

I think the best alternative is to quickly deport all violators back . I'm talking detained, processed and released back in their home countries. All in the matter of less than 20 days. Obviously there's going to be push back on the ways to implement it(cost, human rights, etc...).

Alright everyone lets cut the bull sh*t This is the real reason we have to separate them. "Following widespread criticism after photos of detained women and children, accompanied by testimonies of people being held for extended periods, a federal judge in Washington effectively ruled that asylum-seeking mothers could not be held for longer than 20 days, leading to what has been called a “catch and release” system where adults were released with GPS ankle monitors tracking their movements until their cases could be heard in court." "This get out of jail free card for families and groups who pose as families has spread,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen. “The word of this has spread. The smugglers and traffickers know these loopholes better than our members of Congress. I'm sad to say that from October 2017 to this February, we have seen a staggering 315 percent increase in illegal aliens fraudulently using children to pose as family units to gain entry into this country. This must stop,” she said." https://www.voanews.com/a/looking-for-truth-behind-separating-families-at-border/4444230.html

But can we get canada to pay for a bridge from toronto to the us mexico border is the real challenge.

According to Jimwd, those immigrant are seeking fascism.

Yes sorry about that it appears the diagram were updated by a reliable trusworthy news source Faux News. here is the updated version

Let me help... this road map shows what he is going to allude to next.

Yeah a wise man called Jimwd said something similar to me once. he huff and puff about a house divided...made of straws etc...