Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used visual aids to drive his points home in the past, but Monday’s televised appearance might end up having a far greater impact than what he usually does. Special counsel Robert Mueller’s list of questions for President Donald Trump over allegations of Russian involvement in the American elections were leaked, giving us insight into what Trump is in for. Meanwhile, Japan does’t want to be left out in the negotiations with North Korea.
A public display
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has long employed visual aids to drive home the dangers of Iran and the nuclear deal, even if those dangers are sometimes imagined,” writes the editorial board of the New York Times. “So far, these theatrical displays have failed to stop the nuclear deal that the Israeli leader despises. But Mr. Netanyahu’s latest show and tell may have greater effect.”
In a televised appearance, he displayed several images of Iranian documents stolen by Mossad, all of which had something to do with nuclear weapons, and had a giant poster declaring “Iran lied”. “It didn’t matter that the data simply reinforced what the world has long known: Iran lied about its program and hid it for years. In fact, Mr. Netanyahu confirmed what American intelligence agencies revealed in 2007: Iran had suspended the active portion of a nuclear weapons program in 2003.”
“Mr. Netanyahu made his televised plea — in a style and format that Mr. Trump seems to prefer — days after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, made separate visits to Washington to implore Mr. Trump to adhere to the deal negotiated with Iran by Russia, China, Britain, the United States, France and Germany.”
“Mr. Trump could work with the Europeans on a plan to address such concerns as constraining Tehran’s ballistic missile program, expanding inspections of nuclear facilities and curbing Iran’s regional adventurism. Iran isn’t the region’s only destabilizing force. Withdrawing from the nuclear deal, thus freeing Iran to resume its nuclear activities and possibly provoking other countries to follow suit, would only make things worse.”
It’s time for some answers
“It is unclear who leaked a list of questions that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III wants to ask President Trump. One possibility is that someone is seeking to ensure that, whatever happens to Mr. Mueller’s investigation, the president is forced to confront them. If so, we are in agreement: Under oath or not, Mr. Trump owes the country answers,” editorialises the Washington Post.
The leaked questions indicate that Mueller has “uncovered untoward behavior on the part of close Trump confidants that is not publicly known,” and “reveals elements of a possible obstruction-of-justice charge.”
“Mr. Mueller also would like to know more about Mr. Trump’s own Russia connections. “During a 2013 trip to Russia, what communication and relationships did you have with the Agalarovs and Russian government officials?” one question reads.”
“The president brought to the Oval Office a sprawling web of relationships and conflicts of interest from his business days. The extent of those connections is unclear, in part because Mr. Trump has not revealed detailed information about his business and personal finances. Perhaps Mr. Mueller knows more — or is just as underinformed as the rest of the country.”
“The latest leak underscores that Mr. Mueller’s probe is examining issues of deep public significance on which there is too little public information. Yet Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opposes a bill protecting the special counsel from Mr. Trump. Meantime, in the House, Freedom Caucus members have drafted articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, Mr. Mueller’s boss. Republicans should not be allowed to stifle the Russia investigation. If Mr. Trump wants to speed its conclusion, he should step forward and answer Mr. Mueller’s questions.”
Yet another North Korean meeting
Eager not to be left out, Shinzo Abe is also planning a summit with North Korea and South Korea. South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, told the Japanese prime minister that Kim Jong-un is “willing to hold talks with Japan at any time,” according to the Asahi Shimbun.
“In a telephone call, Moon briefed Abe on his historic summit on April 27 with Kim, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, in which he also raised the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea.”
“According to the South Korean presidential office, Kim told Moon in their summit meeting that North Korea is ready for talks with Japan.”
Japan will also be hosting a summit with China and South Korea on May 9, to discuss regional issues. “The meeting, which has been hosted in turn by each of the three nations since the first one was held in Japan in 2008, aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation. It is the third time Japan has hosted the meeting,” the Asahi Shimbun writes. Moon Jae-in and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will be representing their countries.
“South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday that Moon will brief Abe and Li about the results of his summit with Kim. It said Moon also plans to discuss ways to boost three-way cooperation toward achieving denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.”