By William Tucker

As of this writing China has still refused to lay blame on North Korea for the attack on the South Korean ship CheonAn in spite of the reported findings from the South Korean investigation. Currently, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is in South Korea for a three day visit and has only made non-committal statements regarding the incident. Any crisis on the Korean peninsula causes problems for Beijing, which is unless China instigated the crisis. It doesn't appear that Beijing had any foreknowledge of the sinking of the CheonAn, but China can use the crisis for its own benefit.

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By William Tucker

The South Korean warship Cheonan was struck by external explosives, possibly torpedoes, when it sunk on March 26 of this year. Part of the ship was recently salvaged and according to investigators there is no doubt that the explosion occurred outside of the vessel making the occurrence of an accident unlikely. According to North Korean defectors, the attack on the Cheonan was personally ordered by Kim Jong-Il in retaliation for a naval skirmish that occurred in 2009. If the reports from these defectors and South Korean intelligence are accurate this places Seoul in a difficult position.

Continue reading "South Korea Blames North for Sinking of Warship" »

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Laura Ling and Euna Lee are safely back on American soil, a day after the two American journalists were released from custody in North Korea."We're home and free," Ling said in her first comments after landing.

Watch Ling's emotional speech.

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By Miller J. Wilson

With North Korea admitting to weaponizing nuclear materials, continuing to perform missile tests, and threatening nuclear war if their ships are searched, the US is in a difficult position. Both Japan and South Korea are obvious targets for an attack and with US forces spread thin it would be nearly impossible to use US forces to defend either nation without pulling troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq to fight in Korea.

Continue reading "Scenario for a North Korean Nuclear Assault" »

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A daily, open source, around the world tour of international security-related news.

By Professor Joseph B. Varner

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By Professor Joseph B. Varner

As the world’s attention focuses on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, there is a risk that the international community will allow North Korea’s program to fall between the cracks.

This would be a serious mistake.

Continue reading "North Korea Must Be Held Accountable Too " »

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