Susan Allen

6/22/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/45JbeiT 1. What the Putin-Pyongyang Axis Means 2. Putin and Kim Bring Back Cold War-Era Military Alliance to Tense Region 3. Putin Came to Asia to Disrupt, and He Succeeded 4. “The deepening of North Korea-Russia closeness complicates U.S. calculations… “We are not yet at the military response stage.” 5. Takeaways from the Putin-Kim Summit (Stimson Center) 6. S. Korea, U.S., Japan agree on close cooperation through 'timely' dialogue after Kim-Putin summit: Seoul minister 7. Deepening N.K.-Russia ties may drive S. Korea in direction of nuclear option: ex-Trump official 8. USS Theodore Roosevelt arrives in Busan in show of force 9. U.S. Navy secretary hails Hanwha's acquisition of U.S. shipbuilder as 'game-changing' milestone 10. [WHY] Why are both Koreas fixated on cross-border propaganda? 11. North Korea’s Flawed but Winning Strategy in Ukraine 12. Russia and North Korea’s military deal formalizes a bustling arms trade 13. DPRK Workers Meet to Pledge Revenge on U.S. Imperialists 14. Regarding Self-reliance As Treasured Sword of Prosperity 15. N. Korean soldiers cross border for 3rd time in June: JCS 16. Putin and Kim are creating a crisis—Can the US and China rein them in? 17. The Putin-Kim summit produced an unusual — and speedy — flurry of glimpses into North Korea

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https://lnkd.in/gRgtMupg A solid discussion of cause and effect in international relations

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Hu Xijin recently elaborated his thoughts on when and why military force would be a valid means for unifying Taiwan with the People's Republic of China. Juan Zhang summarized Hu's recent reflections for the The Carter Center's U.S.-China Perception Monitor. This is the first piece I've edited in my new position, which I suppose gives me some room for editorializing. At least within Hu's thinking, this is the classic idea of quantitative increases leading to qualitative change. Ever more peaceful (read: other than military aggression) policy changes will eventually lead unification. In that respect, there may not be too much that is new underneath the bluster.

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Freedom of Navigation in action.

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5/15/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/3ysYnVm 1. Ex-Pentagon official downplays concerns over possible USFK pullout in case of Trump's election 2. US partnerships with S. Korea, Japan key to making prosperous, secure Indo-Pacific: Campbell 3. North Korea Might Ignore Donald Trump If He Takes Back the White House 4. N. Korea's Kim, daughter attend ceremony for new street in Pyongyang 5. S. Korea, NATO hold 2nd military staff dialogue in Belgium 6. HD Korea Shipbuilding to establish production base in Philippines 7. S. Korea-U.S. alliance will 'incessantly' strengthen regardless of who wins U.S. election: Seoul envoy 8. North Korea warns US allies over surveillance 9. US has no choice but to ‘double down’ on North Korea deterrence: official 10. U.S. Air Force in S. Korea assesses Chinese missile threats 11. Reviving The Six-Party Talks: Why Indonesia Is The Key 12. North's Kim calls for 'epochal change' in war preparations during arms factory visit 13. Seoul dismisses Tokyo's protests over Cho Kuk's Dokdo visit 14. N. Korea slaps temporary ban on sales of rice in some areas of the country 15. North Korea's nuclear threat: why we must stay the course 16. Destroying South Korea’s HUMINT Capability: The Framing of Colonel Cheong Kyu-phil; Benefits North Korea, China

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Japan, South Korea and U.S. unveil new initiatives to cement defense ties The defense chiefs of Japan, the United States and South Korea used a meeting at Asia’s top regional security conference Sunday to announce a series of new initiatives that will help formalize their burgeoning trilateral defense cooperation. At a gathering on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean defense chief Shin Won-sik agreed to develop a framework to institutionalize trilateral cooperation within the year. The push comes as fears grow over possible lapses in U.S. commitment to the region should former U.S. President Donald Trump be re-elected in November. It also comes amid concerns that political changes in Seoul in Tokyo could scuttle the hard-fought cooperative agreements already reached. The new framework will include senior-level policy consultations, information-sharing, trilateral exercises and defense exchange cooperation, the top defense officials said in a joint statement, adding they will also rotate hosting a number of trilateral high-level meetings starting this year. Several of the other initiatives relate to joint military drills, including the launch of the first iteration of the multidomain Freedom Edge exercise slated for this summer. Asked about the different domains the exercise would be conducted in, a senior Japanese defense official told reporters that a number of fields are possible, including land, sea, air and cyber, but that no final decision had been made, Also new will be a trilateral tabletop exercise designed to assess how the three countries could work together to deter and respond to various threats both on the Korean Peninsula and the broader region amid concerns over the growing possibility of simultaneous crises in the Indo-Pacific region. The trilateral exercises will be carried in accordance with a multiyear plan established last year. https://lnkd.in/gpkvX6Fr

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4/19/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/3vQ092b 1. Iran's Attack on Israel was Enabled by North Korean Missile Technology 2. HRNK Advisory Opinion to His Excellency Tomoya Obokata (north Korean Human RIghts) 3. N. Korea slams U.S. envoy's Asian tour as 'aid-begging' trip to enliven sanctions 4. S. Korea not invited to G7 summit meeting this year: sources 5. South Korea’s HHI inks deal to build four ships for Peru’s Navy 6. U.N. grants sanctions exemptions for WHO's humanitarian aid in N. Korea 7. UN OKs shipment of vaccine storage equipment to North Korea 8. N. Korea reassigns soon-to-be-retiring generals to specialized fields 9. Two Onsong County officials face struggle session for non-socialist behavior 10. US envoy stresses 'imperative' to keep NK human rights at 'forefront' of UNSC agenda 11. Rising Mideast tensions unnerve Korean construction firms 12. South Korea voices strong regrets over Japanese textbooks distorting wartime history 13. Human rights group urges gov't to submit written questions to UN to protect North Korean defectors 14. S. Korea votes in favor of Palestinian bid for UN membership

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4/24/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/3QEMDpl 1. Pentagon stresses close consultation with S. Korea after simulated N.K. 'nuclear counterattack' drill 2. N. Korea sends economic delegation to Iran: KCNA 3. HRNK Quoted 12 Times in the U.S. Department of State's DPRK 2023 Human Rights Report 4. N.K. leader's sister slams joint S. Korea-U.S. military drills 5. S. Korea's nanosatellite launched from New Zealand for satellite constellation project 6. S. Korea warns N. Korea will face end of regime if it uses nuclear weapons 7. Korea's spy agency set to join NATO-led cyber defense drill for 4th straight year 8. South Korea needs to recharge foreign engagement following missed trips and opportunities 9. President should recalibrate his policy on North Korea 10. Seoul publishes latest edition of financial handbook for N. Korean defectors 11. Alarm sounded over major North Korean hacks 12. North Korea Continues to Rattle Sabers with Short-Range Missiles Launches 13. North Korea sends officials to Iran amid suspected military cooperation 14. Students, residents pressed into North Korean construction projects 15. Yoon says N. Korea must not dare challenge S. Korea 16. N. Korea calls envisioned US aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen' 17. N. Korea encourages Chinese businesspeople to resume commercial activities 18. Abuse of opium remains a problem in N. Korea amid economic downturn

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I very much wholeheartedly welcome China's two new Ambassadors of Goodwill and humanity to the United States -- two-year-old Panda male Bao Li (pronounced BOW-lee); and 2-year-old Panda female Qing Bao (pronounced ching-BOW). As part of the new panda loan agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, these two pandas will have their diplomatic residence at Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo) in Washington, DC. The new agreement is effective through April 2034. Pandas are iconic and endangered wildlife and some say they represent peace and harmony in, and with, our natural world. Panda diplomacy is a good way to cultivate enduring cultural exchanges, shared research on conservation, and to build greater mutual respect, trust, and understanding among nations in a more complex world, and on a humanity-level, a nurturing friendship between the peoples and communities of both the United States and China. #Panda #China #Beijing #diplomacy #peace #security #Smithsonian #NationalZoo #conservation

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Coming US Tariffs in Response to China’s “Cheating” and “Overcapacity” Will Lead to Retaliation, Impacting Businesses and Investors Globally China will “take all necessary measures” to defend itself if the U.S. imposes new tariffs on its exports. They will wait and see what the tariffs cover and how they are rolled out. Then they will act. Agriculture will most likely be hit. Retaliation could also take the form of non-tariff barriers such as slow-rolling regulatory approvals for US companies. PRC could also retaliate with more export bans on certain critical materials, or block Chinese companies using semiconductors from Intel or other American companies. My analysis for CNBC with Dan Murphy and Sam Vadas CNBC International APAC Advisors (Singapore) McLarty Associates

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Rethinking America's International Priorities: The Paramount Importance of China Over Israel In the complex fabric of international relations, the United States maintains distinct yet impactful relationships with both Israel and China. While the alliance with Israel is steeped in historical commitment and shared strategic interests, it is the relationship with China that holds greater significance for America's economic and strategic imperatives. Unwavering Support for Israel The U.S. supports Israel with a level of enthusiasm that lacks a formal treaty basis but is underscored by considerable mutual advantages in security, economics, and technology: - **Economic and Technological Synergies**: Israel impacts the U.S. economy by supporting over 255,000 American jobs. High-tech collaboration is also significant, with U.S. tech giants maintaining extensive R&D operations in Israel. - **Military Cooperation**: The U.S. provides substantial military aid to Israel, which reciprocates with advancements like the Iron Dome. This relationship enhances both nations' strategic positions in the Middle East. China: The Indispensable Nation However, when contrasted with the economic and geopolitical weight of China, the scales tip decidedly. The economic interdependencies and strategic dynamics with China illustrate why this relationship is critical: - **Economic Interdependence**: In 2022, trade between the U.S. and China included $536.8 billion in imports and $153.8 billion in exports, making China the largest goods trading partner of the U.S. - **Strategic Considerations**: The U.S. maintains a substantial military presence in the Asia-Pacific, largely in response to China’s growing capabilities. This relationship is marked by competition but also necessitates careful management to avoid escalation. Conclusion: Prioritizing Relations with China While Israel undoubtedly plays a key role in the U.S.'s strategic framework, especially in the Middle East, it is China that emerges as the most crucial for the U.S. on a global scale. The vast economic ties, coupled with China’s influence on global affairs, underscore its significance. It is imperative that the U.S. reassess its aggressive stance towards China and approach this pivotal relationship with respect and a strategic focus on cooperation. Fostering a more respectful and collaborative relationship with China is not only beneficial but necessary for maintaining global stability and ensuring the economic prosperity of the United States. This shift in approach could lead to a more balanced international posture that enhances U.S. influence and capability in managing global challenges.

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