start with. the advice from the russians as to how to proceed with the north koreans or the threat of believing putin over your own home team, and more than that saying it out loud. i know. and i think it s important for us to be clear-eyed as we think about what s going to unfold in hanoi over the next 48 hours. the russian federation has an interest in diminishing u.s. influence in asia. they have a strong interest in removing u.s. troops from the peninsula because they see it as a sort of strategic counterweight to russia s effort on their eastern seacoast. and in addition they have a strong interest in diminishing u.s. missile defense systems, which are there not only to defend against north korea but also to actually play a
and not only in range of seoul but in range of u.s. troops that are there in seoul and throughout the peninsula. not only guarding the security of our allies but actually promoting u.s. interests in the region. i think we re a long way from peace, of course that s ultimately what kim jong-un seeks. he seeks acceptance and a world stage with the american president. he seeks the relief of sanctions so he can feed his own people. and i m sorry to report he s going to get many of those things without making a single solitary concession. and i fear, brian, in light of what s happening in washington tomorrow with the cohen hearings the president is going to be more eager to please, more eager to get a big show and a headline at his summit. and he s going to cave harder and faster than he he should. we ll pause the conversation there. take a break. and coming up, you don t see this every day. what was russia s foreign minister, the one who visited
deterrent role against the russian federation. these are live pictures on the left-hand side of the screen. and while completely unimportant, trump watchers may notice something he never does. the president has buttoned his suit coat. he normally pointedly leaves it open. but here he is about to sign what is a jet engine and aviation deal. this is with the host country of vietnam, our former adversaries. the president there with the trade representative, prime minister and president. there s the handshake. andrea, what does putin get out of any or all of this? first of all a reduction in the military presence he hopes. especially that anti-missile defense, and ultimately that s one of the things he recommended before the first summit, we didn t need that american troop presence if that peace treaty is signed. and we see also in that signing the inducement, this is the carry if you will, to say you can get these kinds of deals, kim jong-un, for your country if you just do what vietn
tomorrow cohen will testify live, as he puts it before the american people.l but more like on cable news. at a house oversight hearing that is widely expected to be dramatic from start to finish. the established ground rules call for him not to discuss the russia investigation tomorrow. but a knowledgeable source tells nbc news that he is, quote, ready to share anecdotes about trump s lies, racism and cheating as a private businessman.bo ready to show evidence of criminal conduct by trump since he has become president. he will explain lies to congress about the trump moskow deal, t reveal information about trump s finances potentially with the actual financial statements. he s prepared to give granular details of trump s involvement and scheme to keep stormy daniels, aka stephanie clifford, quiet. tonight nbc news confirmed a big story first c reported by the wall street journal, and that is a source is telling us that tomorrow michael cohen will show the committee a signed check fro
strong rebuke, you see people like mitt romney and people who are retiring, pat roberts maybe start coming out. it s not a veto-proof majority, but that will be a strong sign that mitch mcconnell has had it. peter baker, the question we asked rhetorically before the break. you re the photo editor for the new york times tomorrow. do you take the photo of the resolution being agreed to or say michael cohen holding up a cancelled check that is a payment to a foreigner porn star. why can t you do both? i suppose you can. it s a big place, the web. both are important stories. this is an important story because it does push the divide we ve seen between president trump and his party on to the front stage. and it s been a philosophical one going back on a number of issues, whether it be free trade, whether it be tough on russia, whether it be limited government or executive power. now they re forced to choose. i think you re right. if you get the one more vote, you ll get five or si