Nixon’s ‘Madman’ approach is dangerous, but it works — and Trump knows it by Liz Peek

[mystery-ak]

 Nixon’s ‘Madman’ approach is dangerous, but it works — and Trump knows it
by Liz Peek, opinion contributor - 04/10/26 8:00 AM ET

Dozens of Democrats are now calling to remove President Trump from office, horrified by his over-the-top threats against Iran. (Democrats, it is worth noting, were not alarmed enough by war in the Middle East to actually be at their desks in Washington — rather, they are on vacation.) 

Amazingly, after a decade or more of dealing with the blustery businessman, Democrats are still clueless about how Trump operates. Have they not read “The Art of the Deal”? Do they not understand that the president always leads with maximalist demands and then, having shaken his adversary, withdraws to a more moderate and desired goal? Apparently not.

Democrats howling for the president’s head are also appallingly ignorant of history. Trump is not the first commander in chief to use dire threats to end a war. “Madman” Richard Nixon and former President Dwight Eisenhower forged that diplomatic path years ago. 

As it happens, Trump’s apocalyptic threats may have pushed the regime in Tehran — or what’s left of it — to agree to a ceasefire. His warning that “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” was meant to terrify. It was, admittedly, excessive, as was his crude demand that the mullahs “Open the F—in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH!” Those demands, directed at officials in Tehran and posted to Truth Social, proved effective.

more
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5823960-trump-madman-theory-iran/

[The_Reader_David]

It's not so clear that the "madman approach" works when one's adveraries are actual madmen. 

The Iranian regime is in the control of an apocalyptic cult, the Hastener sect of Shia Islam, that believes they can force Allah's hand by bringing chaos to the world, so that Allah will intervene and bring the 12th Imam out of occlusion to save the Muslims.  Orthodox Shi'ites, as, for example Ayatollah al Sistani who persuaded the Iraqi Shi'ites to accept supermajority provisions in the constitution we gave Iraq, simply believe in waiting for the return of the 12th Imam even as we Christians await the return of Christ with no delusions we can bring it about by our efforts.

[mountaineer]

It's not so clear that the "madman approach" works when one's adveraries are actual madmen. 

Negotiating with madmen usually is futile, too.

[Hoodat]

Nixon’s ‘Madman’ approach is dangerous, but it works — and Trump knows it

Kissinger played 'good cop' for Nixon.  So, who's playing 'good cop' for Trump?