28 May 2010

Axis, Schmaxis: “The seven-member panel monitoring sanctions against North Korea said in a report obtained by The Associated Press late Thursday that its research indicates that Pyongyang is involved in banned nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran, Syria and Myanmar.“

Japan is moving to tighten restrictions on cash remittances to North Korea, and may authorize its coast guard to inspect North Korean ships in international waters. That would be a bold move, because North Korean vessels have previously refused to stop and even opened fire when hailed by the Japanese coast guard (video here).

More bad press for the ChiComs: This time, it’s a New York Times editorial that calls for China to “stop covering for its client,” but doesn’t really demand anything of substance. It’s going to take more than editorials to change Chinese policies. China will have to face serious economic and strategic consequences for its own behavior.

We are all neocons: I put little value in Richard Haass’s analysis except as a barometer of conventional wisdom in the foreign policy industry, which is why I think it’s significant that Haass, too, has concluded that talking to North Korea is a waste of time. Actually, I favor keeping some working-level channels of communication open for whenever the North Koreans want to talk; I just think we should be realistic about what talks can achieve. The six-party talks, frankly, have much more potential as five-party talks in which neighboring states talk about (but not with) North Korea. For now, talks with North Korea are mostly a useful way to exchange prisoners and hostages, or to convey sincere threats for deterrent purposes. If the time comes that this regime is squeezed to the verge of extinction by pressure we’ve applied, talks may prove useful for negotiating fundamental transparency (as if) or safe passage to Beijing.

PsyOps Update: “Since Monday, South Korea’s military has started anti-North radio broadcasts. The four-hour program titled “Voice of Freedom” is being aired three times a day.”

Curtis posts a very interesting series of before-and-after pictures of the Sunchon Vinalon Complex, which is rumored to produce chemical weapons.