Trump rushed to contradict his adviser’s point of view and insisted that the “Libyan model” was not the one he had in mind for North Korea. Trump reassured Kim that he would still be running North Korea following the nuclear deal Trump intends to strike with him. What was more striking, however, was the use of the “Libyan model” as a pressure tool. “Libyan model” may be shorthand for the type of pressure the Americans put on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi to make him abandon his nuclear programme in 2003. For some “Arab power,” as well, the “Libyan model,” conjures up tragic lessons to be heeded.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 26, 2018 13:07 UTC