President Donald Trump has made headlines during his Asia tour with a dual focus on his own political future and international security concerns. While traveling from Malaysia to Japan, Trump indicated a willingness to pursue a third presidential term in 2028, stating he “would love to do it” and boasting of having “the best numbers ever.” This openness to a future run was prompted by discussions involving his ally, Steve Bannon. Trump also recognized potential Republican successors, mentioning Marco Rubio and JD Vance. Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, Trump had lauded significant trade agreements and a peace treaty he helped broker between Thailand and Cambodia. Shifting to foreign policy, Trump directly addressed Russia’s recent test of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. He described the test as “inappropriate” and advised President Putin to prioritize ending the war in Ukraine rather than advancing missile programs. Trump underscored the strategic advantage of the US nuclear submarine fleet, asserting American deterrence and warning against “games” between the two nuclear powers. Russian reports indicate that the Burevestnik missile successfully completed a lengthy test flight, covering thousands of kilometers. Furthermore, President Putin has officially terminated a decades-old plutonium disposal agreement between Russia and the United States, a treaty that had already been suspended by Moscow.
