Why is US President Donald Trump interested in foregoing the North Korean issue to put his internal and national problems to the background? Why is he escalating the North Korean Missile Crisis? Can Trump really attack and destroy or at least dismantle North Korean nukes using the US military’s doctrine of Shock and Awe — Rapid Dominance? What are the Russian and Chinese stakes involved in North Korea? Is Putin using Kim Jong Un as a bait to lure the United States into another Vietnam? These questions have been circling over the heads of analysts around the globe — nevertheless, the situation is worsening and is leaning in favour of the North Koreans. It is a historical fact that the circumstances in the Korean Peninsula have been precarious since the initiation of the Korean War in June 1950. From that time onwards, this issue has been used by several US Administrations to escalate the already hostile environment — President Trump is no exception. Mr Trump needs a certain event of such magnitude and intensity that the American print and electronic media would show such images that would ultimately change the perception and opinion of the people at large about the Trump Administration. In this connection, false flag operations have always been an instrument that is used extensively to mould and pave public opinion in favour of state apparatuses. It is not a surprise that the United States Navy vessels might take a hit from the North Korean Navy or ground based missiles and artillery platforms just like the Gulf of Tonkin Incident that took place on August 4, 1964. It left the US Congress with no choice but to authorize the US President Lyndon B. Johnson of the use of military action against Communist Vietnam. Some American’s believed his slogan of ‘Make America Great Again’ and his policies would strengthen America internally and regionally but instead, America has lost its status as a great power and hegemon Apart from this scenario, would Trump wage a low-intensity conflict with North Korea to stir and stimulate the patriotic sentiment — to be used to consolidate the domestic political landscape in his favour? Again, this attempt would yield enormous support for Trump, elevate his position, and help him in overcoming the internal political opposition and media war aimed at him. Though it sounds ridiculous, it just cannot be ignored that perhaps Putin is luring Trump in North Korea to further weaken America. Mr Putin has been successful on many fronts including Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea and Syria and has put enormous pressure on NATO. The Europeans out of fear have recently integrated Montenegro in NATO and are considering more members. Putin’s Zapad-2017 has caused serious concerns for NATO including the perceived invasion through the Suwalki Gap. By luring American attention on the North Korea issue, Putin has significantly weakened the work-horse of NATO, America. Trump has a nationalist or more precisely a hyper-nationalist agenda. Some American’s believed his slogan of ‘Make America Great Again’ and his policies would strengthen America internally and regionally but instead, America has lost the status of a great power and a hegemon. It is an open secret that globally American power and influence is on the decline or perhaps growing stagnant. Internally, White nationalism and racism is threatening another American Civil War while tearing apart Abraham Lincoln’s unified America. To overcome the descent of American power and influence — President Trump would resort to either initiate a new war or conduct a false flag operation. Externally, Germany and France — are on their way to lead Europe and the European Union to an entirely different level to play a new leading role. With Brexit as a catalyst — the EU nations have finally determined to look upon Merkel and Macron as their new leaders. Similarly, Trump’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Agreement has also garnered negative responses internationally. Perhaps, Mr Trump has not understood the basic principle of being a great power — with great power comes great responsibility. Mr Trump is flanked by some highly skilled and professional military generals who have the experience of fighting on the battlefield instead of Mr Trump’s ‘war mongering’ attitude. When it comes to the political survival of any leader rationality is usually overtaken by national or perhaps individual interests. The author can be reached at mmab11@gmail.co Published in Daily Times, October 31st 2017.