Month: April 2017
Why Can’t A Woman Write More Like A Man?
There is a backstory to “Mike Pence Isn’t Kim Jong Un’s Daddy.” It illustrates a problem in foreign policy analysis. Read More
Links – April 28, 2017
Carried away: The inside story of how the Carl Vinson’s canceled port visit sparked a global crisis.
How to hack and not hack a missile. The New York Times is getting some stuff wrong lately. Read More
Mike Pence Isn’t Kim Jong Un’s Daddy
US leaders have put on their best stern-father faces toward North Korea and China. On his trip to the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, Vice President Mike Pence headed outside, against warnings, to stare into the North. “It was important that they […] see our resolve in my face,” he told the US press.
At the White House Easter Egg Roll, President Donald Trump declared North Korea has “got to behave.” He has also tweeted warnings: “I explained to the President of China that a trade deal with the U.S. will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem!” “North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them!” “I have great confidence that China will properly deal with North Korea. If they are unable to do so, the U.S., with its allies, will!” Read More
Sunday Comics
North Korea Links – April 20, 2017
Why there are no good options on North Korea’s nuclear program.
Interview with Joel Wit, who has been watching North Korea for a couple of decades and more. Also by Wit: How to defuse the crisis with North Korea. Hint: Bluster and bluff won’t do it.
History: How Washington hard-liners helped to create the North Korean crisis.
The hidden messages in North Korea’s military parade.
What missiles does North Korea have?
The US isn’t hacking North Korea’s missile launches. Rocket science is hard.
Take a 3D tour of North Korea’s nuclear test tunnels. Top photo is a screen grab from the tour.
The White House’s misleading statements about Trump’s ‘armada’ heading to Korea.
Twitter thread by Ilan Goldenberg on how things might have gotten messed up with the carrier group.
Sunday Comics
Links – April 14, 2017
Conflicting reports on whether a US carrier group steaming toward North Korea plans to intervene militarily if North Korea tests a nuclear weapon or a missile this weekend to celebrate the anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth. Seems like a bad idea. More about North Korea’s strategy. China is calling for restraint. Read More
A Treaty To Ban Nuclear Weapons
A couple of weeks ago, the United Nations sponsored a discussion of a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. It’s a discussion that has been brewing for some time. Read More
Nuclear Diner 