5/24/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How’s your trip going? The whole world wants to know what you meant when you answered in the affirmative when asked, “Are you willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if it comes to that?” As you probably know, every newspaper has an article sorting through the significance of that remark. The WP proposed 3 theories. CNN claims you have a new stance of strategic confusion & the NYT says you are leaving allies in an awkward spot. Folks are wondering if this was really a “gaffe” or if you have a new policy to replace “strategic ambiguity.” I suggest that next time you are asked about a military response to anything, you repeat our mantra, WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER (WINTA). It’s easy to remember & everyone can agree to it.

            I encourage you to float it by your new BFFs in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. According to the WP you hit it off with POSK, Yoon by talking about your pets & you joked with Australia’s new PM, Anthony Albanese about jumping on the plane after being elected. I’m impressed that he was talking about climate change at yesterday’s meeting. Did you also discuss Burma?

            Speaking of Burma, the latest news from Irrawaddy is that a Tatmadaw mortar shell hit a monastery in the Sagaing Region killing 4 Buddhist monks. The junta can’t fight on the ground there because they face too much local resistance, so they resort to using imprecise artillery weapons. No one wants to see monks killed. The situation there is yet another example that WINTA!!

            Be nice to Narendra Modi. He’s got 1.39 million mouths to feed & wheat prices going through the roof due to the war & heat in Uttar Pradesh. Banning wheat exports should help bring down the price of bread so the poor folk in India can eat.

            Safe Travels,