Using the Context to Decode the Artillery Clash in Korea

The geopolitical context is tortuous, and often hidden from view by politicians and press, but it is the key to understand what is going on. The situation in Northeast Asia is becoming increasingly tense and dangerous. If real fighting breaks out, rather than the skirmishes of the past, then we might well end up with another war between the United States and China, with incalculable, but surely disastrous, consequences.

The Iraqi crisis and efforts wasted

The U.S. must acknowledge that its actions put greater stress on an already fragile region Iraqis must realise that their reconciliation is in their best interest The fire must be put out before it engulfs…

Latest North/South Korean Exchange

AP reporting: “The skirmish began when Pyongyang warned the South to halt military drills in the area, according to South Korean officials. When Seoul refused and began firing artillery into disputed waters, albeit away from the North Korean shore, the North retaliated by bombarding the small island of Yeonpyeong, which houses South Korean military installations.”

Korea ‘Crisis’: Blaming the North – A Replay of U.S. Tactic for Iraq’s Invasion in 2003

Remember, this was the same type of framing which Saddam Hussein and his regime in Iraq were given by Western media reports, and few weeks later, Iraq was invaded by the Bush (Jr.) administration. When Washington succeeded in the destitution of Iraq, and the later hanging of Saddam Hussein – mission having been accomplished – new information began emerging that no weapons of mass destruction were in Iraq. The most shameful part of the 2003 drama was that it had been known well ahead of time (before Iraq was invaded by the U.S.) that there were no weapons of mass destruction; but the corporate western media decided to dance to the tunes of American politicians and their key ally – Britain, and censored the information from a desperate public which heavily relied on any thing that came from Western media.

North Korea’s Consistent Message to the U.S. by former US President Jimmy Carter

Pyongyang has sent a consistent message that during direct talks with the United States, it is ready to conclude an agreement to end its nuclear programs, put them all under IAEA inspection and conclude a permanent peace treaty to replace the “temporary” cease-fire of 1953. We should consider responding to this offer. The unfortunate alternative is for North Koreans to take whatever actions they consider necessary to defend themselves from what they claim to fear most: a military attack supported by the United States, along with efforts to change the political regime.

Reconciliation in Iraq: Singular or Plural

It is inappropriate to consider the question of national reconciliation in Iraq without first recognizing the unique nature of the challenge. The best path to redemption in Iraq remains dialogue between those in power, those…

Artillery firing in self-defense: DPRK

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said in a statement Wednesday that DPRK military measures taken in the exchange of artillery fire with South Korea on November…