Your blog deals with one of the last relics of the WWII and the Cold War, a fascinating subject. I've enjoyed following your posts and trying to understand the issues. Your links to relevant news outlets and the video bar have been helpful - and I've been hoping you'd post a little more on the succession stories that have been recycling on your video bar.
That said your design has been strong, and you've tried to engage with a challenging issue, a few more posts, and that they responded more fully to my prompts. That said, I've enjoyed following it, and you have successfully conceived, designed and delivered your first political blog.
Well done!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Breaking The Cycle?
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/US-Lawmakers-Seek-End-to-Cycle-of-North-Korean-Provocations-117203793.html
US lawmakers are urging the Obama administration to aid in breaking the cycle of one side aggravating the other. This could lead to an end of the confrontation cycle that could lead to a re-ignition to the conflict.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Survival of the Northern Regime and Relevance Today
The regime seems to have survived solely due to the oppressive nature of the government. If any of the military's leaders are all subject to the suspicion of Kin Jong-il then they undergo a purging very similar to that of Stalin's treatment of his officer corps. The loyalty of the people is based primarily on an illusion. Anyone who has seen the photo of the world's lights at night will know that almost all of North Korea is dark, with the notable exceptions being the capital city and some other scattered points. The people are told that the sacrifice they are making is what keeps their nation safe. By keeping the military and the general public inline with fear the government is able to hold to the power it acquired in after World War Two. The USA, having supported the South to prevent the USSR from gaining power in the region. Thus the USA has a Historical alliance with the South, as well as fighting the Korean War on the South's behalf (as they did not have a sufficient military at the time). The situation in the Korean Peninsula may well be a Cold War relic that does not retain the importance that it once did. War is never a good thing but the stalemate in the peninsula has gone on for too long, and both sides recognize it.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Good work to date - time to begin to make connections and make some assumptions...
I've enjoyed following your blog, Alex. We've gone from the possible outbreak of war to on-going negotiations and the request for aid. Your challenge, while posting twice weekly, is to begin to make connections, a key is to respond to the questions I pose in my "comments" on your postings.
Think about: Do you see any patterns emerging with the way the DPRK relates to the world, the United States and its neighbours? What do they want? What risks does the regime pose to international stability in the Far East? Why has the regime survived? - not been overthrown? CNN's Wolf Blizter was recently there, what did he learn? Not that long ago an American journalist who worked for Al Gore's network was kidnapped, why? - What is the North's agenda? Are they really as dangerous as we think?
Try now to begin to see the bigger picture? What is China's role, why do they support the regime? Do you think it will survive?
You've made a tremendous start, Alex. You now need to go deeper and wider.
Keep up the good work!
Think about: Do you see any patterns emerging with the way the DPRK relates to the world, the United States and its neighbours? What do they want? What risks does the regime pose to international stability in the Far East? Why has the regime survived? - not been overthrown? CNN's Wolf Blizter was recently there, what did he learn? Not that long ago an American journalist who worked for Al Gore's network was kidnapped, why? - What is the North's agenda? Are they really as dangerous as we think?
Try now to begin to see the bigger picture? What is China's role, why do they support the regime? Do you think it will survive?
You've made a tremendous start, Alex. You now need to go deeper and wider.
Keep up the good work!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
US Supports Talks With DPRK
Not so surprisingly, during a visit to South Korea the US Secretary of Defense approved of diplomacy with the North.
My Thoughts
Though there is not much for me to go on as to what exactly is transpiring behind closed doors in the DPRK and i do not wish to speculate as I would just instill bias on whoever reads this. I feel obliged to say that the succession of power may not be a bad thing. A war to prove ones worth may happen, and that would be terrible. However, Kim Jong-Un may be more willing to listen to reason from Wester Powers. Not every situation is terrible, there is a possibility that good will come of almost any change (except wars of course).
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Closer Japanese-South Korea Ties
Talks of sharing military resources between the two nations seems to most likely result in an alliance. Though some would claim that the Japanese rule of the Korean Peninsula is still a tender issue I would doubt it as more recent events (like the Korean War) may well have removed such concerns from the hearts and minds of South Koreans.
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