| Long, long piece at Foreign Policy, the newsmagazine of hopeless, unrealistic wonks who obtained their degrees during the higher education bubble. Excerpt: |
Simply put, North Korea represents the very worst of humanity -- a nation ruled with impunity, where several thousand key leaders live at the great expense of 24 million or so others. It represents atrocities and human suffering on a staggering scale.
The writer than goes off the rails with his proposed 'solution' to the 'worst of humanity' -- sanctions! Rigorously enforced sanctions! China and Russia cooperating with sanctions!
Yeah, right Sparky, let me know when China and Russia sign on.
The writer than believes we should 'shine a light' on the bad, bad behavior of the Norks. He fails to understand that the world knows. And doesn't care enough, and isn't willing enough to risk a potential nuclear war and a war with China, to intervene.
But not to worry: we 'can reason with China'. That is cluelessness and sophistry of the highest order. |
It is a moral obligation of the highest order that the international community intervene. What can be done, we must do -- and now is the time.
It's too bad the author just offers more platitudes. Now, to put my money where my mouth is, here are my proposed solutions.
1) Stop all aid of every kind coming into the North Korea from the West.
If North Korea is to be China's lapdog, then China may support it completely. No food aid, no humanitarian assistance of any kind comes in from the West. Make China responsible. That will hurt people, and that in turn will cause discomfort in the West. We do the people of North Korea no favors by assisting their thug-rules in Pyongyang in maintaining their control.
2) Instant refugee status to every North Korean citizen who gets out and to the West any way possible.
Reward countries such as Mongolia and Vietnam who covertly assist. They don't like China. Give them reasons to help us out quietly.
3) Bombard North Korea with broadcasting.
Use Christmas lights, hot air balloons, radio, leaflets, everything to get the message in. One of the most important points in maintaining a successful dictatorship is that the dissidents must believe they are alone and atomized. Start to change that.
That also means supporting Nork dissidents as we identify them. North Korea is extremely insular; we won't have American agents running around covertly in that country. But we can work to help dissidents.
4) Intercept all North Korean exports that have any potential for trouble.
Make it clear that arms, terrorist support, etc will not be allowed out. We'll find and seize them even if they go through friendly countries (e.g., Burma). That also include the drug-running and counterfeiting operations. Hurt the Norks on their money-making operations. Make no mistake: such actions risk war. We will be prepared.
5) Seize all assets that the Kimmies have hidden around the world. All assets.
We've been too nice. Go after every dollar, and make every bank, brokerage and country aware that they have a choice: you're with us or you're with the Norks. You don't want to be against us. Russian, Chinese and other banks friendly to the Norks: cough up the assets or risk being frozen out of the world financial markets.
6) Rather than cut a deal with China (thus emphasizing our weakness), start to punish the Chinese for their association with North Korea.
China is vulnerable right now. Their economy is beginning to teeter. The Chinese do not want to lose their export markets. They'll rave and rant, but they can be maneuvered. We should start by being subtle, but we don't have to be nice about it. It's time to apply some power politics.
7) Make clear to China that we will allow South Korea to arm up.
The ROK wants to have longer-range missiles. Good idea. The ROK might feel the need to develop nuclear weapons. Okay. By the way, China, how's about dealing with your lapdog now?
8) Make clear to China that we will allow Taiwan and Japan to arm up.
As unhappy as they'd be to see the ROK arm up, they'll be even less happy to see Taiwan gain access to modern weapons. I'm sure we can generate an export version of the F-18E/F at a price favorable to Taipei.
That's a start. |
|