North Korea

North Korean Sanctions Uneven

By ecoscott on 6/12/10 9:03pm
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North Korea is supposedly in a lot of trouble for their nuclear testing, and more recently for the distinct possibility that they sunk a South Korean corvette ship. But the sanctions that were called by the UN in two separate resolutions in 2006 and 2009 are simply not being implemented by a lot fo the countries around the world. In fact, the UN report to the U.N. Security Council from the Panel of Experts on North Korea, says that 111 of the 192 U.N. member states have not submitted reports about how they are in compliance with the sanctions. It turns out that the majority of these countries are developing countries, and that the idea of sanctions is economically problematic.

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North Korea Picks a Fight

By ecoscott on 5/21/10 6:50pm
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Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific, North and South Korea are getting dangerously close to a military conflict. South Korea is essentially convinced that North Korea sunk one of their Cheonan corvette vessels, killing 46 sailors and provoking further military action.

The U.S. is going to try and team up with Japan and South Korea, who I’m guessing will be willing partners, and even bring in China, who supports most of what North Korea is able to do these days in terms of their economy, to fashion a meaningful international response.

"We'd like to see [North Korea] acknowledge the reality of what happened and then join with South Korea, Japan and us in helping to fashion a response that helps to change the North Korean behavior," said a U.S. official.

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The Nuclear Back and Forth

By ecoscott on 10/4/09 10:07am
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AhmadinejadAhmadinejadThe nuclear issue has been overwhelming the news reports and international diplomacy this week, primarily the way that North Korea and Iran are dealing with their own desires to build and test nuclear weapons. A few thoughts: 1.    No one needs permission for that.2.    How did the U.S. do it?3.    What should be their next step?

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U.S. Talking to the Axis of Evil

By ecoscott on 9/12/09 6:15pm
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The American FlagThe American FlagWith so much going on politically within the U.S. it’s amazing that there is even time for Obama and his administration to look into international politics.

Remember during the election when people were questioning whether Obama had the experience and skill to be good at foreign relations- well, it seems he is proving that he most certainly does. Looking toward a major deal with China in November, still enjoying positive approval numbers around the world, and making headway with two countries that George W. Bush so famously branded as “Axis of Evil” members, this week marks two big international diplomatic successes for Obama.

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Politics as Unusual in Asia

By ecoscott on 9/1/09 10:57am
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Map of East AsiaMap of East AsiaOver the weekend Japan made an historic change in its governing- after over 50 years of virtually uninterrupted power, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was ousted by the most powerful political tool of all- a democratic vote. Changing a 5 decade ruling party is big- and so is North Korea sending a diplomatic delegation to China. Both are happening as this first week of September gets underway.

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