Stability or Uncertainty in Our Eastern Hemisphere? You choose.

All these launches simply verify is a cat and mouse game being initiated by PyongYang and Washington's response is not to yield to what Pyongyang ultimately wants. (Which are direct talks between both countries) Since Iran has been the highlight of international attention for the last few weeks, North Korea feels that they have lost the spot light. Not to mention the incentives and rewards Iran is being offered to abandon their quest for nuclear capabilities; North Korea probably seeks such an incentive package themselves. The most disturbing thing about this whole situation is that America being the last superpower left on the world stage has her hands tied by a country who's economy is roughly the size of our smallest state. And she can't do anything about it. Do you have any idea how bad this makes us look? Even if sanctions were to be passed by the worthless UN security counsel, the people to feel the results would be the oppressed people of North Korea. Meanwhile, Pyongyang leadership will continue to live their lives to the standards they are accustomed to. In my own opinion, Kim Jong-Il seeks to eventually gain economic advantages from his missile drama as a final outcome. He has voiced his ultimate goal for a long time and it is no secret, he seeks a unified Korea. If the world thinks he is going to abandon his nuclear quest because of a few light water reactors and aid from foreign powers. Think again! North Korea has violated the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty before and also violated their agreement to abandon their ballistic missile programs twice! This country has no credibility. Therefore, the ultimate solution is regime change in my opinion. Please don't interpret this as me saying that we should rally our armed forces and do another "March on Baghdad". There are other ways about pursuing such a path such as a similar process which we have began with Iran and the Mullahs. We didn't touch a hair on Moscow and eventually the collapse of the Soviet Union was underway. It took place from within. North Korea is the last Stalinist regime in the world and they are not going to let go of their power easily. But if for a minute we think they will respond to our UN warnings and sanctions, think again. The five-party talks with major powers such as U.S., Russia, China, European Union, and North Korea have been in a stalemate for almost a year. All these games are doing is buying the North more time to expand on their technology and nuclear arsenal. The last thing I would like to see is another Korean war, this time being fought with nukes versus the 1950 scenario. Given the failure of both the Clinton and Bush administration to contain Kim Jong-Il since he took power in 1994, I don't see any other option except for eventual regime change. The question I pose to you is how might we pursue this without an Asian crisis where Japan accelerates rapid military expansion and takes the matter into their own hands? I wouldn't underestimate their capabilities. It was mentioned in class today regarding Japan. Most people are under the impression that Japan is still regulated on how large their armed forces can be as dictated in Post WW2. It is worth mentioning that Japan has been gradually rearming since the launch of a stage one Taepodong ballastic missile in 1998 which landed some 100 miles or less from Japanese shores. It is definitely in favor of the U.S. that Japan's rearmament is key to maintain a balance of power in the Eastern Hemisphere to offset China's silent rise to become "the" dominate power in the Eastern Hemisphere. Most people might not realize this but Japan is as strong if not stronger an ally as Britain to the U.S.
The thing to know regarding Japan is that the peaceful government established in the Geneva Convention is no longer regulated to such limitations. Currently in the works is a revision of their "passive constitution" to allow greater military might in the name of Self Defense. Considering the vast size and wealth this country has, it won't be long before they become a key player in world affairs again.
What this has to do with North Korea is the fact that such behavior coming out of Pyongyang has been one driving force to force Japan to change her ways. Maybe we can cut China a deal. They can annex Taiwan back into the People's Republic of China if they will allow regime change on their Northeastern borders. That is just a far fetched thought which I realize would never pass. The last thing Beijing wants is more U.S. troops stationed in a unified Korea to pose an even more immediate threat to the sovereignty of the established communist regime. =)
I support a unified Korea. That is, under the leadership of Seoul. Let’s fix this situation before Japan and South Korea take action into their own hands. Within recent years, the South Koreans have been distancing themselves from Washington in hopes of reaching truths with North Korea. But do they honestly expect different treatment from Kim Jong-Il? In his eyes, they belong to him. (Not vice versa)
We should be seeing a change in winds within the coming 2 years in South Korea as well. The movement happening from within will probably end up replacing the current administration in Seoul who seeks to put distance from Washington and go solo in efforts with the North. The alternative would be a hardliner’s approach which would realign efforts with Washington and Japan which would be more of a “Hawk’s” approach raising an iron fist to Pyongyang rather then a “sure lets keep playing cat and mouse while you continue to strengthen your nuclear and ballistic arsenal.” This I can see a more positive outcome within a shorter time period then the current approach.
It’s a mess. That’s all I can say. There is no question that this does pose a serious threat to the future security of our planet and things need to be done before more resources become available to this Rogue North Korean Regime. I take a similar standpoint on Iran.
Written by: Matthew Meadows

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