TOP NEWS North Korea Film Glorifies Kim’s World Debut, With Trump in Starring Role New York Times Trump Grumbles That North Korea Deal Not Earning Wide Praise US News Kaliningrad photos appear to show Russia upgrading nuclear weapons bunker The Guardian Most Americans say it’s too early to judge Singapore summit’s success; poll shows big partisan differences Washington Post EAST ASIA North Korea Film Glorifies Kim’s World Debut, With Trump in Starring Role New York Times6/15/18 A documentary film released by North Korea makes the most of this week’s Singapore summit meeting between Mr. Kim and President Trump, which was the first-ever meeting between the leaders of two nations that have been sworn enemies for seven decades. The Choco Pie dividend: South Korean firms are drooling at the prospect of business in the North Washington Post6/17/18 At a glass-and-stone office complex in downtown Seoul, a team of corporate strategists is thinking about diplomacy, North Korea, and the power of marshmallow, yellow cake and chocolate. Trump Grumbles That North Korea Deal Not Earning Wide Praise US News6/16/18 Frustrated with lukewarm backing from congressional Republicans, criticism from Democratic opponents and skepticism from allies and the media, Trump made a stop on the North Lawn of the White House to promote his agreement with Kim and challenge the blowback that it’s vague and lacking in clear objectives. President Trump: I Don’t Want To See You And Your Family Killed By Nuclear Weapons Real Clear Politics6/15/18 In this section of a marathon interview on ‘Fox & Friends’ Friday morning, President Trump talks about North Korea and the summit earlier this week in Singapore. How does U.S. military compare to North and South Korea? Washington and Seoul suspend exercises Newsweek6/18/18 South Korea and the United States are expected to announce the suspension of “large-scale” military drills this week, with the provision that they would restart if North Korea failed to keep its promise to denuclearize, news agency Yonhap said on Sunday. Aid likely if North Korea gives up nukes: Abe Japan Times6/16/18 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday signaled that Japan would likely help shoulder the costs of North Korea’s denuclearization under a potential international funding framework aimed at eliminating Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. Trump’s Promises to Kim Jong-un Leave U.S. and Allies Scrambling New York Times6/15/18 President Trump praised the strongman tactics of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, and dismissed American military exercises with South Korea as a waste of money on Friday, as his administration and allies scrambled to accommodate the president’s promises to Mr. Kim after their historic summit meeting this week. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un sends Chinese president birthday letter and flowers, state media says Newsweek6/15/18 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly sent a birthday note and flowers to his counterpart in China, President Xi Jinping. China adds to nuclear arsenal amid military modernisation drive South China Morning Post6/18/18 Country now has 280 warheads, according to think tank, which calls nuclear states’ renewed focus on deterrence and capacity ‘a very worrying trend’ Beijing responds to US B-52 bombers flying over South China Sea with anti-aircraft drill Business Insider6/15/18 Beijing has carried out anti-aircraft drills with missiles fired against drone targets over the South China Sea after the US challenged it by flying B-52 bombers across the region. AP FACT CHECK: More Trump falsehoods on NKorea, immigration Washington Post6/18/18 President Donald Trump is exaggerating the achievements of his Singapore summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claiming the North has destroyed missile launch sites and no longer has “rockets flying over the place.” RUSSIA/FSU/EUROPE Kaliningrad photos appear to show Russia upgrading nuclear weapons bunker The Guardian6/18/18 Russia appears to have upgraded a nuclear weapons storage bunker in its Kaliningrad enclave, in the latest sign of Moscow’s increased emphasis on nuclear arms in its standoff with Nato, according to a new report. U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY Most Americans say it’s too early to judge Singapore summit’s success; poll shows big partisan differences Washington Post6/17/18 In the aftermath of his meeting with Kim Jong Un, President Trump declared that North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat. Americans have a more measured view, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Pentagon Puts Cyberwarriors on the Offensive, Increasing the Risk of Conflict New York Times6/17/18 The Pentagon has quietly empowered the United States Cyber Command to take a far more aggressive approach to defending the nation against cyberattacks, a shift in strategy that could increase the risk of conflict with the foreign states that sponsor malicious hacking groups. Mattis: US must ‘remain vigilant’ toward countries pursuing nukes The Hill6/15/18 Defense Secretary James Mattis on Friday warned that the United States must “remain vigilant” toward other countries seeking nuclear weapons. OPINION AND ANALYSIS Americans have figured it out: North Korea won! Washington PostJennifer Rubin 6/17/18 President Trump accomplished nothing in Singapore, if you want to be factual about it. Why Can’t Democrats Give Trump Credit on North Korea? The AtlanticPeter Beinart 6/15/18 The Singapore summit actually made the world a safer place. The president’s critics won’t admit it. No, the North Korean Nuclear Threat Is Not “Over” Carnegie EuropeTomáš Valášek 6/15/18 The deal between U.S. President Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is weak and far too general. The diverging interpretations of how to develop the agreement bode poorly for the future. Time to Make Up After Fighting Over Iran Wall Street JournalMichael Doran and Peter Rough 6/17/18 The U.S. is getting its way through coercive sanctions. It would be helpful to show the allies some respect.