Why Alaska?

Why are Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump meeting in the cold north? And why are both Europe and Ukraine the ones who are pointedly left out in the cold?

World leaders don't meet unless and until an agreement in both their interests has already been hammered out by their diplomatic staffs. Until the 'Sherpas,' such called after the Nepalese guides who do all the grunt work in the background so ecotourists can breeze up Mt. Everest to glowing photo-ops and dizzying accolades.

And usually, first summits are held in neutral, third-party cities such as Geneva, Astana, Minsk, Doha, etc., where they can make a show of breaking ground on subtle negotiations amid exotic backgrounds and stunning history with some pointed statue commemorating heroic events, that have already been accomplished via back channels. They never have a first meeting in either country's cities, which are usually reserved for the final signing of legally binding treaties amid speeches and heartwarming parades. Negotiations between superpowers are nothing if they are not theatrical.

Eisenhower discussing mutual interests with Khrushchev during a good will visit to Washington, DC was serendipitous-not at all planned or expected. Khrushchev was on a state visit and trying to signal a new era in Russo-American relations after the Soviet Union of Stalin was over.

The final treaty was to be signed in Russia on the shores of Lake Baikal a year later. Gary Powers’ unsanctioned exploit over Russia in a spy plane put a cold war burgeoning end to it in 1960, alas. Kennedy’s unscripted encounter in Dealey Plaza guaranteed a generation of hostility between the two WWII allies.

That’s not all Jack wanted to do. He was planning on breaking the poison fangs of racist Zionism, cut unelected black organisms like the CIA, and create mutually beneficial relations with the other superpowers and the third world, collectively called, ‘The Global South,’ today. Just think what the past 60 years could have been like?

Jack had to go. Qui bono?

Let's hope there is no ham-fisted sabotage or false flags by unelected war mongers with Russophobic steam coming out of their unchecked orifices this time. Hopefully there are no grassy knolls in Alaska.

Despite the derision Donal Trump may feel at home by the left wing of America's current iteration of the culture wars, people who know him and who have worked with him say he is a different person in private negotiations. Let’s hope their optimism is justified.

And despite my misgivings and reservations to the contrary, I am willing to take their opinions and experiences, if grudgingly and with a grain of diet coke, to heart. Let's see what Donnie and Vlad can do, shall we?

Ultimately, we deal with the dealers we have, not the ones we wish to have.

What's up with this week's summit? And what's up with Alaska? Anyone up for a trip by luxury rail from Washingtonto Moscow?