The views expressed in this blog are those of the authors alone. They are not the views of any other organization, entity, agency, company–in short, of anyone but the author. They are imperfect, flawed, occasionally veer wildly toward complete non-sequiturs. They often border on the seditious. Perfect solutions to the crises in North Korea have never existed; the good ones left town in 1945, and the less dangerous ones were last seen in 1994. From the few murky facts we...

First, does anyone suppose John Bolton would have been nominated if things weren’t going at least reasonably well in Iraq? Or abyssimally within the U.N.? Granted, as Kipling told us, triumph and disaster are two impostors, and the crowing that it’s all over (or a even new 1989) may be a bit premature, even if we hope earnestly that they aren’t. I never considered Iraq a case of guerrilla war, which most military people will define as a resistance movement...

First, does anyone suppose John Bolton would have been nominated if things weren’t going at least reasonably well in Iraq? Or abyssimally within the U.N.? Granted, as Kipling told us, triumph and disaster are two impostors, and the crowing that it’s all over (or a even new 1989) may be a bit premature, even if we hope earnestly that they aren’t. I never considered Iraq a case of guerrilla war, which most military people will define as a resistance movement...

Resolution Sixth International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees Seoul, South Korea, February 16, 2005 We have gathered for the 6th International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees from the countries of France, Poland, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, as well as defectors from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to affirm to the people of the world, especially to the people of the Democratic...

Resolution Sixth International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees Seoul, South Korea, February 16, 2005 We have gathered for the 6th International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees from the countries of France, Poland, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, as well as defectors from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to affirm to the people of the world, especially to the people of the Democratic...

Are We Certain that North Korea Was the Source? No one ever said we were, of course, but today, dedicated axis-of-evil skeptic Glenn Kessler, has written a second WaPo piece on the story in as may days, this time raising doubts, via the IAEA (remember them?), about the U.S. conclusion that North Korea was Libya’s supplier: IAEA tests on the same container — using samples taken at the same time the United States took samples last spring — did not...

Are We Certain that North Korea Was the Source? No one ever said we were, of course, but today, dedicated axis-of-evil skeptic Glenn Kessler, has written a second WaPo piece on the story in as may days, this time raising doubts, via the IAEA (remember them?), about the U.S. conclusion that North Korea was Libya’s supplier: IAEA tests on the same container — using samples taken at the same time the United States took samples last spring — did not...

Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, and particularly since the rise of Condi Rice, I have seen a disturbing trend in the rhetoric of conservatives. Many of them have departed from the important principle–though it may be more aspirational than real–that we should be measured by what Martin Luther King Jr. called “the content of our character” rather than the color of our skin. It is tempting to make Condi Rice’s race a part of the discussion about her...

Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, and particularly since the rise of Condi Rice, I have seen a disturbing trend in the rhetoric of conservatives. Many of them have departed from the important principle–though it may be more aspirational than real–that we should be measured by what Martin Luther King Jr. called “the content of our character” rather than the color of our skin. It is tempting to make Condi Rice’s race a part of the discussion about her...

I’m veering off-topic briefly to talk about an old love that will not die, court-martial practice. In this case, it was superbly performed by Major Michael Holley, who prosecuted Specialist Graner of Abu Ghraib fame. As I’ve previously mentioned in this blog, I was Major Holley’s supervisor when both of us were on active duty, back when he was still Captain Holley. Most of my supervision, incidentally, consisted of me telling him to keep doing what he was already doing,...

I’m veering off-topic briefly to talk about an old love that will not die, court-martial practice. In this case, it was superbly performed by Major Michael Holley, who prosecuted Specialist Graner of Abu Ghraib fame. As I’ve previously mentioned in this blog, I was Major Holley’s supervisor when both of us were on active duty, back when he was still Captain Holley. Most of my supervision, incidentally, consisted of me telling him to keep doing what he was already doing,...

Dave at No Illusions wants to know more about Christine Ahn, the North Korean apologist (and American, as it turns out) whose views OhMyNews found worthy of the extensive interview I linked and fisked below. Even a cursory exploration of Christine Ahn’s views immediately raises questions about the honesty of OhMyNews’s coverage of her, given its failure to disclose that she is an active member in a pro-Pyongyang organization based in Oakland, California. Who Is Christine Ahn? North Korea is...

Dave at No Illusions wants to know more about Christine Ahn, the North Korean apologist (and American, as it turns out) whose views OhMyNews found worthy of the extensive interview I linked and fisked below. Even a cursory exploration of Christine Ahn’s views immediately raises questions about the honesty of OhMyNews’s coverage of her, given its failure to disclose that she is an active member in a pro-Pyongyang organization based in Oakland, California. Who Is Christine Ahn? North Korea is...

I reneged on my promise to give you pictures during the last two weekends. I hope you’re not disappointed with this week’s selection. As always, the photographer is my sister-in-law, who photo-blogs under the name Carou. I’d link her, but her blog isn’t public yet. I’m trying to convince her to change her mind. Apukujong looks cold. I love the light in this picture. Seoul City Hall just before New Year’s Day, 2005. My wife and I were married in...

I reneged on my promise to give you pictures during the last two weekends. I hope you’re not disappointed with this week’s selection. As always, the photographer is my sister-in-law, who photo-blogs under the name Carou. I’d link her, but her blog isn’t public yet. I’m trying to convince her to change her mind. Apukujong looks cold. I love the light in this picture. Seoul City Hall just before New Year’s Day, 2005. My wife and I were married in...