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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (10860)	10/7/2003 9:00:59 PM
From: Dayuhan	Respond to of 793696

I am afraid that the conclusion of this article by David Warren [re North Korea] is correct. “Here, in other words, is a problem to which there is no solution. The Western mind rebels against such a thing; we think there must be a way to fix anything. And there is, but in this case, it almost certainly involves a huge catastrophe. Our policy in the meantime is waiting for this to happen.” David Warren is, as always, a pompous ass, an intellectual lightweight trying to accomplish with solemnity what he cannot do with reason. This is not a choice between finding an immediate solution and waiting for catastrophe. He’s right, there is no good solution available at this time. That doesn’t mean it makes sense to try and impose a bad solution, even a potentially catastrophic one, because we think something has to be done right now. There are times in life when we face a major problem and see no good solution. When that happens we maneuver. We try to learn more, try to gain support where we need it, try to apply pressure where we can. We try to find or create points of vulnerability, and to exploit them when they emerge. We use our heads (an odd idea, I know, but worth considering). Warren points out that our intelligence on North Korea is weak. He’s probably right. I would bet that the Chinese intelligence services have far greater penetration in North Korea than all the Western agencies combined. I’d guess the South Koreans have their share. It may be time for a little haggling. Of course there would be a quid pro quo, and of course we would have to look very carefully for manipulation of the material. That’s the way the game is played, always has been. We’ve played the game before, against nuclear-armed antagonists, and managed to wind those conflicts down without resort to large-scale violence or apocalyptic confrontation. I see no reason why we shouldn’t be able to do that again, especially against an opponent as isolated and outmatched as North Korea. Not all problems require - or are susceptible to - fast, dramatic solutions. The hysterical North Korean outburst sounds completely insane, but it fits a pattern. It’s not a pattern I understand, but it is there: at regular intervals they come out and make these statements, for purposes known only to them. It’s certainly cause for major concern, but it is not a situation that has to be resolved instantly whatever the cost. I would say the potential for nuclear confrontation and proliferation is every bit as great in the Pakistan/India situation. I do not think it is desirable, practical, or even possible to try for a quick or certain solution to the Korean situation.