That may be Trump’s hope. But if so, he fails to understand that religion based, totalitarian ideologues do not place greed above all else.

Trump has to know that the Mullahs will not abide by any deal that opens Iran and requires it stop its pursuit of nukes and support for terrorism.

Rather than assume that Trump fails to grasp the Mullah’s motivations, I think it more likely his offer to meet with Rouhani is aimed at neutering domestic opposition to a future military confrontation with Iran.

Not all negotiated deals work out. But it’s guaranteed not to work out if you won’t even talk. Mind you, there needs to be a carrot AND stick available; if all you have is a willingness to talk, then you’re basically Neville Chamberlain.

We saw this with North Korea; it was practically a textbook example of Trump deal-making, applied to international diplomacy. An offer was made to talk; this got a bellicose response, causing Trump to cancel talks. The North Koreans fell all over themselves to renew talks, which Trump accepted gracefully. Then he met… and pitched to Kim Jong Un a complete game-changer, including a string of beachfront hotels! (Yes, that would enrich KJU; yes, it’s Trump doing what he’s done many times before. But it would also practically require drastic liberalizing and opening of North Korea to accomplish it.)

Now we’re seeing it in Iran. If the talks happen, I expect a similar approach – Trump will try to sell them on a deal that opens up Iran, and helps Iranians get rich.

If you haven’t yet read The Art Of The Deal, by the way, I recommend it. It helps to understand the man’s way of thinking.

Trumps employing the same tactic with Iran that he did with N. Korea’s Kim.