Analysis: US looking for Russians, Chinese to lead.

Dantheman62 · 05-26-2009, 08:47 PM

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has tough words for North Korea, but it's looking to China and Russia to do the heavy lifting to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear explosion.

Whether China is willing to pull away from its traditional ally is an open question given fears of raging instability that might erupt on their common border.

North Korea may have overplayed its attention-getting hand with its test of a nuclear weapon one day and the launch of offensive missiles the next. Or it may be moving its nuclear brinksmanship to a higher and more opaque level.

In either case, the Obama administration's reaction has been measured. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, said department spokesman Ian Kelly, had been in touch with her Russian counterpart to press for "a quick, unified response to North Korea's provocative action."

Russia, once a key backer of North Korea, condemned the test. Moscow's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, also the Security Council president, said the 15-member body would begin work "quickly" on a new resolution.

China said it "resolutely opposed" North Korea's test and urged Pyongyang to return to talks on ending its atomic programs.

While Russian objections to North Korean behavior were swift, direct and important symbolically, China holds the key.

Cross-border commerce and aid from China keep North Korea afloat economically. China is North Korea's biggest source of food imports, fuel aid and diplomatic support. Many of North Korea's international connections — from air transport to financial links — are also routed through China or Chinese-controlled territories.

But dramatically shaving its largesse, Beijing is believed to fear, could lead to nightmarish scenarios. One would see regime collapse and a breakdown of North Korea's million-man army, with members of the military armed with AK-47s roaming the Chinese countryside as bandits.

Complicating the multidimensional chess game, key U.S. allies in Asia — South Korea and Japan — see a fully fledged nuclear North Korea as an existential threat, in much the same way Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran in the Middle East.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_north_korea_analysis

orthodoxymoron · 05-26-2009, 10:09 PM

I'm sort of looking for Russia to do the right thing...and support Constitutional Responsible Freedom. They have had some very, very hard times...and I tend to think that they have learned some valuable lessons. I think they are a good people...and want to do the right thing. I don't know about China. I tend to be afraid of China. I don't know why...and I hope that this is an unfounded fear. I like the Chinese people...but I'm fearful of the government.

Dantheman62 · 05-26-2009, 10:21 PM

I tend to agree ortho, I don't really fear the chinese because I think their lack of quality in almost everything they do will be their downfall. They have very low quality guns and ammo, automobiles, toys, technology, and so on. They have good food though! I love chinese food! LOL

Humble Janitor · 05-27-2009, 01:33 AM

It wouldn't be wise to underestimate either country.

As for constitutionally responsible freedom, I doubt that Russia gives a rat's ass about it. They've been moving further to communism ever since Putin took over.

05-26-2009, 08:47 PM	#1
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Analysis: US looking for Russians, Chinese to lead. WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has tough words for North Korea, but it's looking to China and Russia to do the heavy lifting to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear explosion. Whether China is willing to pull away from its traditional ally is an open question given fears of raging instability that might erupt on their common border. North Korea may have overplayed its attention-getting hand with its test of a nuclear weapon one day and the launch of offensive missiles the next. Or it may be moving its nuclear brinksmanship to a higher and more opaque level. In either case, the Obama administration's reaction has been measured. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, said department spokesman Ian Kelly, had been in touch with her Russian counterpart to press for "a quick, unified response to North Korea's provocative action." Russia, once a key backer of North Korea, condemned the test. Moscow's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, also the Security Council president, said the 15-member body would begin work "quickly" on a new resolution. China said it "resolutely opposed" North Korea's test and urged Pyongyang to return to talks on ending its atomic programs. While Russian objections to North Korean behavior were swift, direct and important symbolically, China holds the key. Cross-border commerce and aid from China keep North Korea afloat economically. China is North Korea's biggest source of food imports, fuel aid and diplomatic support. Many of North Korea's international connections — from air transport to financial links — are also routed through China or Chinese-controlled territories. But dramatically shaving its largesse, Beijing is believed to fear, could lead to nightmarish scenarios. One would see regime collapse and a breakdown of North Korea's million-man army, with members of the military armed with AK-47s roaming the Chinese countryside as bandits. Complicating the multidimensional chess game, key U.S. allies in Asia — South Korea and Japan — see a fully fledged nuclear North Korea as an existential threat, in much the same way Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran in the Middle East. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_north_korea_analysis

05-26-2009, 10:09 PM	#2
orthodoxymoron Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lunar Base II Posts: 3,093	Re: Analysis: US looking for Russians, Chinese to lead. I'm sort of looking for Russia to do the right thing...and support Constitutional Responsible Freedom. They have had some very, very hard times...and I tend to think that they have learned some valuable lessons. I think they are a good people...and want to do the right thing. I don't know about China. I tend to be afraid of China. I don't know why...and I hope that this is an unfounded fear. I like the Chinese people...but I'm fearful of the government.

05-26-2009, 10:21 PM	#3
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Analysis: US looking for Russians, Chinese to lead. I tend to agree ortho, I don't really fear the chinese because I think their lack of quality in almost everything they do will be their downfall. They have very low quality guns and ammo, automobiles, toys, technology, and so on. They have good food though! I love chinese food! LOL

05-27-2009, 01:33 AM	#4
Humble Janitor Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,201	Re: Analysis: US looking for Russians, Chinese to lead. It wouldn't be wise to underestimate either country. As for constitutionally responsible freedom, I doubt that Russia gives a rat's ass about it. They've been moving further to communism ever since Putin took over.