North Korea & Iran

Tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula. Analysts point to recent incidents in the demilitarized zone and joint U.S., South Korean military exercises as the cause. The real issue is that North Korea is run by a certifiable maniac, the latest in a string of communist dictators.

Here is the main thing to consider: For two decades a series of U.S. presidents from Bill Clinton to George Bush tried to buy off North Korea. They used a variety of half-measures to rein in the Stalinist regime. They gave diplomacy repeated chances.

The result is that 20 years ago we were dealing with crazy people who did not have nuclear weapons. Today we are dealing with crazy people who do possess nuclear weapons. So every U.S. president who has attempted to talk with this rogue state has been part of this failure.

This example is especially relevant now because the West is repeating this charade with Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has been giving North Korea money and North Korea has been transferring missile and nuclear technology to Iran. There is every reason to believe this alliance will continue to the detriment of peace and security.

Heroes Prevent Slaughter

Just when we begin to despair, we get a reminder of the great reservoir of courage that still exists among the American people. The latest skirmish in the worldwide war against radical Islam occurred last week in the unlikely place of a train traveling from Belgium to France.

A jihadist with an AK-47 had planned on killing hundreds of people. Ayoub El-Khazzani was stopped by three Americans and a Briton. Like Todd Beamer, who said to passengers on Flight 93, "Let's roll," Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, and British citizen Chris Norman jumped into action, saving scores of lives.

European authorities said they were watching El-Khazzani for ties to radical Islam. Clearly they were not watching him very well. This morning there is news that French authorities are puzzled by his motives because he denies any interest in terrorism.

So, once again, Europe is in trouble and Americans and a Brit rush to the rescue. Where have we seen this before?

Kristol Cruise

Last week I had the privilege of participating in Bill Kristol's Alaskan cruise, sponsored by The Weekly Standard. During the event I was a frequent speaker on a variety of panels. I wish congressional leaders could have been there.

There were about 250 people, all successful businessmen and women, and I was surprised by their degree of alienation from the political process. The theme of every question and answer session throughout the week was the same: Why does the left always succeed in advancing its agenda and conservatives have such trouble?

Senator Marco Rubio won a straw poll among the attendees, but many individuals spoke highly of Donald Trump and said they had not ruled him out for one reason: They want to send a message to Washington elites. That frustration is also evident on the left given the crowds Vermont socialist Bernie Sanders is attracting.