06-08-2025
America's Ultimatum to Russia Is About to Pass. Now What?
An anecdote springs to mind as the world awaits the passing of a deadline — shortened from 50 days to 10 and coming up this Friday — which President Donald Trump recently gave to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. It comes from the late George Schultz, who as secretary of state in the 1980s told the story to his boss, Ronald Reagan, the original purveyor of 'peace through strength' in foreign policy.
Once when he was in Marine Corps boot camp, as Shultz recounted, a sergeant handed him his rifle. 'This is your best friend,' sarge told the young Shultz; 'and remember one thing: never point this rifle at anybody unless you're willing to pull the trigger. No empty threats.'
