Transcript for Analysis of Trump's foreign policy and handling of North Korea

Let's go to ABC news political commentator Cokie Roberts is joining us from South Carolina Cokie good mornings you have watched many presidents the only foreign policy crises. What's your read on how trump is handling this one would North Korea. Mostly gangs of what many presidents did with North Korea. Is does have a perpetual problem. And equipped president trump came in with lots of bellicose language and many tweets about how he was not gonna let North Korea do anything bad. And it was not. Terribly heartening. One we news as when he told the Wall Street Journal that after ten minutes with the Chinese leader. He'd come to understand that North Korea was complicated. But at least he has come to understand that and and I think that. He will probably be somewhat cautious here in a push the Japanese and South Koreans are are very much involved in this. But it to be fair four administrations have not succeeded. And getting and it north Koreans soon not nuclear arrives there arsenal and it's getting more and more and more dangerous and Cokie what do you make of Trump's military approach basically emboldening his generals to make decisions of an out even. Consulting him first. Well I think that I think that a lot of that's been true for a long time followed but again this is part of president from. Trying to portray a very tough image and so you know might my generals as he calls them. Our going to be in charge and not have to worry about some Lily liver a politician. But but I think that than military is well aware of the constraints upon them even if the president not necessarily is. I don't leased square Cokie how do we square. These recent spate of military actions or threats of military action like the then lark Bob we cent drop in Afghanistan the strike against Syria and of course now the tough talk with North Korea how do we square that with president trumps about America. First. Campaign promises. You basically can't screen damn bit he would say Alan that I think president trump would stay with this is America strong. And that this is showing the world that that you can't push us around. And I certainly think you can make you case that saying that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and against our national interest. They getting rid terrorists in Afghanistan is. Pro our national interest and and that being very alert that when it comes to North Korea and making sure that they don't do anything. Precipitous is also and I'm national interest but is very different from the rhetoric we heard. All through the campaign which was basically we're gonna concentrate all of irony she's here at home. Jobs jobs jobs and and forget about those farm places you know presidents discover that the world actually does need them and they have to pay attention. Thank heaven. Cokie Roberts we're looking at your analysis on a Saturday morning thank you very much. And he dam. Ed we're going to be following the situation in North Korea throughout the day Freddie Aaron ABC news and abcnews.com.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.