One of Trump’s biggest weaknesses stems from his belief that he can form meaningful relationships with authoritarian leaders (leaders who, unlike Gorbachev, have no desire to develop democratic reforms in their countries). Such leaders are like (naughty) small children: they will simply do whatever they think they can get away with; to be nice to them is to encourage bad behaviour on their part. Dealings with them must be cool, structured, businesslike and, as far as possible, with very clear boundaries set down.

Just on Trump and Kim: I’m not convinced that this situation has anything truly in common with the Reagan-Gorbachev relationship…

Oh god no – a thousand times no, nothing in common.

Truth be told, I was rather enjoying myself! And I reckon I won the bout … (we are all allowed a little harmless self delusion from time to time!)

Just on Trump and Kim: I’m not convinced that this situation has anything truly in common with the Reagan-Gorbachev relationship (except perhaps the misgivings of advisers). I don’t see any real ‘meeting of minds’ here, just a shallow game. Maybe my assessment is wrong – I suppose time will tell …

I remember the Korean 747 tragedy and Able Archer ’83 well. Dangerous times indeed.

Gorbachev always ‘struck a chord’ with me, I must admit. And I agree that it was courageous and far-sighted of Reagan to reach out.

Yes, it’s a pity that (as of now) we’ve got to Putin.

Reagan came into office with his historically one-dimensional view of the USSR and the Cold War, but I think he was jolted into reality by the results of Able Archer 83 and surrounding events. We nearly caused WW3 because the USSR had a hard time figuring out if we were going for a First Strike. I think history shows that Reagan was shocked that they genuinely believed we would, and that we almost caused what we feared most – with our actions as the trigger.

His rhetoric started to soften a bit and when he found a willing partner in Gorbachev, he started down the alternate road. I remember at the time that I didn’t trust the sincerity of Gorbachev on this. I had learned to see what they were doing in public as a deception, with something more sinister going on behind. It is a hard habit to break, and I do admire Reagan for doing so.

The narrative about Reagan ending the Cold War is severely distorted, but there is no doubt that he was a big part of the confluence of events that made it happen. It’s too bad the aftermath enabled the likes of Putin and his Oligarchs.

I have no idea how deep Reagan’s faith actually was, but from the outside he is the Pope compared to Trump in that respect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83