On Iran – Matina Stevis-GridneffZolan Kanno-Youngs and Michael D. Shear in NYT:

‘President Trump has decided not to sign onto a statement calling for de-escalation between Iran and Israel that is being prepared by the Group of 7 industrialized nations, according to a White House official, the first evidence of an ongoing rift between Mr. Trump and his fellow leaders gathered for a summit in Alberta, Canada.’

(…)

‘The draft G7 statement is being prepared for the leaders of the group’s member nations — besides the United States and Canada, they are Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Britain and Japan — along with the leaders of the European Union. It acknowledges the need to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and explicitly supports Israel’s right to defend itself.
But it also calls on both sides to de-escalate in order to resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the negotiating table, saying that diplomacy is the best way to resolve the dispute.’

(…)

‘On Sunday, Mr. Trump told ABC News that he was “open” to the idea of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia mediating the conflict between Israel and Iran.’

(…)

‘Israel widened its targets on Monday, striking and setting fire to the headquarters of state television while anchors were broadcasting live. Iran has been retaliating, sending missiles and drones headed toward Israel on Monday.
But Mr. Trump said that he believed the fighting would end soon.
“I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table,” he told reporters at the summit. “They want to make a deal."’

Read the article here.

Basically at the negotiating table? Die first, negotiate later.

And Putin as negotiator? Delightful.

Wanted by the International Criminal Court but in the meantime getting ready to broker a honest peace in a difficult region.

Maybe Trump is willing to share the Nobel Peace Prize with Putin?

I say: whatever works.