A birthday party is a celebration of having lived another year. Simply buying a cake and blowing out candles will not make you a year older.

When leaders of nations meet for a historic summit it's the birthday party. Everyone already knows what is likely to come out of it. That is what justifies the decorations and party favors.

I keep thinking about the imagery from Alaska. Like a cold war era meeting in formality and construct.

But no one is older or wiser.