News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin.

1.  Opinion | It's time to end China's 'United Front' operations inside the United States

2.  Five Eyes spy-alliance countries to 'co-ordinate' Covid-19 economic response

3.  U.S. seeks to house missiles in the Pacific. Some allies don't want them

4.  U.S.-Germany crisis goes deeper than Trump's planned troop cuts

5.  Dark Basin: Global Hack-For-Hire organization that targeted thousands over the years

6. Why the U.S. military hasn't made more progress on overcoming racism

7.  Total Defense, Revisited: An Unconventional Solution to the Problem of Conventional Forces

8.  What you need to know about private military contractors backing Libya's rebels

9.  Army 4-Star highlights some U.S. plans for warfare in 2040

10. Aggressive tactics by National Guard, ordered to appease Trump, wounded the military, too

11. The coronavirus pandemic isn't ending - it's surging

12. Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Germany defends troop withdrawal plan

13. Top US General in Mideast: 'I do worry about China quite a bit'

14. Zoom catches heat for shutting down China-focused rights group's account

15. Chinese sporting power couple issues rare rebuke of ruling communist party

16. State Department rebukes China as one of the worst abusers of religious freedom

17. India denies visas to U.S. panel on religious freedom, says it has no standing

18. Bolton plans to move forward with book despite new White House warning that it contains classified material

19. Special Ops: 'Further behind than we know' on New Tech

20. For a Grander Army of the Republic: Better Names for Bases

1.  Opinion | It's time to end China's 'United Front' operations inside the United States

The Washington Post · by Josh Rogin · June 10, 2020

I think since the end of the Cold War we have lost understanding of how communist regime's conduct subversion.

What is subversion?

* The undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution.
    * As in: "the ruthless subversion of democracy"

2.  Five Eyes spy-alliance countries to 'co-ordinate' Covid-19 economic response

Stuff.co.nz · by Thomas Manch · June 10, 2020

Interesting. A view from New Zealand. Perhaps the Five Eyes is a concert of democracies. They are like minded and share the same values: freedom and individual liberty, liberal democracy, free market economy, and human rights. The Five Eyes offers an alliance of democracies to oppose authoritarian regimes. And opposition to authoritarian regimes (revisionist and rogue powers) must be conducted through effective political warfare and the economy system is one of the battlefields on which the competition will be contested. 

3.  U.S. seeks to house missiles in the Pacific. Some allies don't want them

Los Angeles Times · by David S. Cloud · June 10, 2020

This is a critical effort for future military capabilities, but it is a political minefield for us. 

4.  U.S.-Germany crisis goes deeper than Trump's planned troop cuts

Bloomberg · by Hal Brands · June 10, 2020

Professor Brands provides a very useful overview of troop withdrawals and the issues surround withdrawals.  

Although he goes back to the US troop withdrawal from Korea in 2004 as part of a realignment to fight the war on terrorism, we should look further back in time. Yes there has been a very slow and steady withdrawal of troops from Korea going back to when Carter wanted to withdraw all troops in 1978.

But what I think we should consider is the withdrawal from Europe after the end of the Cold War and following Desert Storm. We brought troops back and had to shoehorn many of them into already crowded installations and because we did not have enough space, we inactivated units or split them up among multiple installations. We were hoping for a peace dividend, but two things happened. We lowered our capabilities (remember the base force analysis and then the QDR process) and we had to spend much more on MILCON for the units we did retain. Professor Brands points out Rep Gallagher's correct assessment that when we bring back the 9,500 troops to the US, we will no longer have German support for funding so 100% of the costs will be borne by the US taxpayer. One thing we should recognize is that there will be no immediate cost savings by bringing US troops home and if we retain the forces intact in the US the American taxpayer will be stuck with a larger bill than they are currently paying. We should think about that. 

And one lesson we should remember is that we had to re-station forces in Europe again. Perhaps we should not have reduced the forces to the level we did. And one of the most important lessons is that when something we never anticipated (9-11) happened, bases and military units in Europe provided critical support and capabilities to prosecute the war on terrorism. 

Now I am all for rightsizing our force levels and footprints around the world. But the size of our forces overseas (and locations) should be based on thorough analysis to answer the question of how do we best posture our forces to support US national interests? We should be striving to have the right forces in the right locations to accomplish the right missions to support US national security. That could be more and it could be less and sometimes even less might be more!  But we should not be withdrawing forces for the wrong reasons which I fear we will do in Germany (and possibly Korea). 

5.  Dark Basin: Global Hack-For-Hire organization that targeted thousands over the years

NPR · by Hanna Rosin · June 9, 2020

The cyber battlefield is not contested just by the military and state or government organizations. We are all players on the cyber battlefield - from the corporate world to all of us as individuals. And hackers for hire are another form of the modern mercenary. 

6. Why the U.S. military hasn't made more progress on overcoming racism

PBS · by Bob Christie, Associated Press · June 9, 2020

An interview with retired Major General Dana Pittard and retired Brigadier General Remo Butler. 

7.  Total Defense, Revisited: An Unconventional Solution to the Problem of Conventional Forces

mwi.usma.edu · by Sandor Fabian · June 10, 2020

This is a very important concept for both deterring and defending against revisit powers. An effective resistance capability can create insurmountable problems for occupying powers especially if the resistance force receives external support.

The author references the Resistance Operating Concept pioneered by SOCEUR. Here is a link to a 13 page presentation on the concept. https://nsiteam.com/social/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/U-SMA-Brief-SOCEUR-Resistance-Operating-Concept.pdf

Here is a useful article on the concept: https://sof.news/uw/resistance-operating-concept/#:~:text=The%20ROC%20is%20a%20concept,Russia's%20Military%20Advantage.

Here is a JSOU 286 page report on the Resistance Operating concept: https://jsou.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=54216464 

8.  What you need to know about private military contractors backing Libya's rebels

smallwarsjournal.com · by Crispin Burke · June 10, 2020

An excellent survey of Libya and PMCs (mercenaries) from Crispin Burke. A very complex situation that seems to be under the radar (at least from my perspective). 

9.  Army 4-Star highlights some U.S. plans for warfare in 2040

defensemaven.io · by Land · June 10, 2020 

10. Aggressive tactics by National Guard, ordered to appease Trump, wounded the military, too

The New York Times · by Thomas Gibbons-Neff · June 10, 2020

Politics aside this provides an interesting look at the National Guard in DC, command and control of the DC Guard and support from other states. Track the actions of First Lt. Malik Jenkins-Bey. This is another national security military event that will be studied in PME institutions for years to come. 

11. The coronavirus pandemic isn't ending - it's surging

The Washington Post · by Adam Taylor · June 11, 2020

I wonder how the US and the countries around the world are going to handle this. The coronavirus seems to no longer be on the national and international agenda except as a minor story. Have we become numb to the coronavirus crisis? 

12. Outgoing U.S. ambassador to Germany defends troop withdrawal plan

Reuters · by Paul Carrel · June 11, 2020

I think the Ambassador is mistaken. If those 9,500 troops return to the US and the units remain intact the cost to the American taxpayer will because 100% of the costs will be borne by Americans. And if there is no space on US military installations, there will be a rather large MILCON bill. 

13. Top US General in Mideast: 'I do worry about China quite a bit'

defenseone.com · by Katie Bo Williams · June 10, 2020

The General is correct to be concerned with China. Great Power Competition is not confined to the geographic location of the competitor. And the competition is going to take (and is already taking) many forms: political warfare, subversion, support to proxies, resistance, insurgent forces, economic warfare, espionage, etc., and a range of activities short of war or direct conflict with US forces. 

14. Zoom catches heat for shutting down China-focused rights group's account

WSJ · by Eva Xiao · June 11, 2020

But this is what we have to expect from Chinese controlled companies. This is what authoritarian regimes do. 

15. Chinese sporting power couple issues rare rebuke of ruling communist party

WSJ · by Chun Han Wong · June 10, 2020

That is three I think. A former Chinese basketball star, a soccer star, and a badminton star have now criticized the Chinese Communist Party. I know the Chinese service of VOA and RFA will be broadcasting this news into China. I do fear for the safety of these courageous people. 

16. State Department rebukes China as one of the worst abusers of religious freedom

The Washington Post · by Carol Morello · June 10, 2020

You have to suppress religion to maintain control and ensure the Chinese Communist Party remains unchallenged and in power. 

17. India denies visas to U.S. panel on religious freedom, says it has no standing

Reuters · by Sanjeev Miglani and Nigam Prusty · June 11, 2020

India is protecting its sovereignty. Cannot fault them for that. 

18. Bolton plans to move forward with book despite new White House warning that it contains classified material

The Washington Post · by Tom Hamburger and Josh Dawsey · June 10, 2020

A 592 page book. For all those former government and military officials who have had their manuscripts held up by classification reviews this one is for you. It will be interesting to see what they do to him if/when his book is published. I have re-ordered it from Amazon. It is scheduled for release on June 23, 2020. I wonder if the White House can/will block its release. 

19. Special Ops: 'Further behind than we know' on New Tech

breakingdefense.com · by Paul McLeary · June 10, 2020 

20. For a Grander Army of the Republic: Better Names for Bases

warontherocks.com · by Will Quinn · June 11, 2020

Another list of proposed names for US Army bases. However, it looks like the President will not even consider changing the names.

 

-----------

"Without debate, without criticism no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive."

- John F. Kennedy

 

"The strongest bulwark of authority is uniformity; the least divergence from it is the greatest crime."

 - Emma Goldman 

 

"Evil does not just arise from nothingness, most of the time it is nurtured by society's failure to activate its moral standards"

- Aysha Taryam 

 

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Daniel Riggs.

1. Washington Needs a Bold Rethink of Its China Strategy

2. WHO official walks back statement that asymptomatic transmission is 'very rare'

3. Explainer: What Is Antifa?

4. UN informed China of human rights activists plan to attend meeting, claims whistleblower

5. China is not a military threat, EU top diplomat says

6.  1962≠2020: US study explains India's conventional edge over China

7. Harvard professor indicted for allegedly making false statements about secret work in Wuhan

8. Taiwanese Fighters Drive Off Chinese Jets After Navy Transport Plane Flies Over The Island

9. The Ships, Planes, and Submarines Busting the Cartel's Narco Subs

10. Report: Killing of Utah mayor in Afghanistan was planned

11. Senate confirms first black service chief in U.S. history

12. Exclusive: Obscure Indian cyber firm spied on politicians, investors worldwide

13. James Carafano: Reduce forces in Europe? America would suffer. Here's how

14. 'No official confirmation': If Trump is withdrawing troops, nobody has told Germany

15. Take the Confederate Names Off Our Army Bases by David Petraeus

16. Dear Mr. Secretary, You Can Rename Army Bases Right Now

17. House Republicans object to pulling US troops out of Germany

18. House Intelligence Committee chairman wants to know whether Pentagon spy agency provided information on protesters

19. US 'strategic approach' to China: compete, compel and challenge

20. China pushes back against Harvard coronavirus study

21.The Pandemic and Political Order - It Takes a State By Francis Fukuyama

22. The Pentagon Can't Afford All of the Weapons It Wants, New Report Says

23. Military members are disproportionately affected by cybercrime: Here's why and how to avoid it

24. No Sign Of Antifa So Far In Justice Department Cases Brought Over Unrest

25. General Brown's Wisdom: The new Air Force chief of staff offers words right for the moment.

 

1. Washington Needs a Bold Rethink of Its China Strategy

warontherocks.com · by Nathan Packard · June 9, 2020

This article criticizes the new strategic approach to China that was unveiled on May 26. outline 5 major strategic flaws. The chief criticism seems to be the new approach does not take a long term view. But this is really an interesting assessment: "Quote: "The theory of competition appears to be "show China all the cool ways America can destroy its military." They advocate "collective balancing" and "comprehensive pressure."  They also criticize the apparent zero-sum approach.  I would call attention to this point: this new approach's response to China's challenges is based on principled realism and a free and open Indo-Pacific region that DOES NOT have to exclude China.  In addition to a number of other interesting points they assess the complex networks of the 21st Century change how strategy is practiced.  That should stir some discussion.  One of the key concluding points among others, is a focus on the rule based international order as being necessary to moderate Chinese behavior.  I agree that we need to protect and strengthen the nation state system and the international order and its institutions.

 

2. WHO official walks back statement that asymptomatic transmission is 'very rare'

foxnews.com · by Kayla Rivas | Fox News

Misspeaking at a press conference can create confusion.  Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove must really regret her choice of words.

 

3. Explainer: What Is Antifa?

defenseone.com · by Stanislav Vysotsky, The Conversation

And still another view of ANTIFA.  With these disparate views perhaps they have good OPSEC.  No one can definitively figure them out though the authors of each article from the past few days all think their analysis is correct.  I think this requires deeper analysis.

 

4. UN informed China of human rights activists plan to attend meeting, claims whistleblower

Express · by Brian McGleenon · June 7, 2020

If true this is despicable.  I wonder if any of my UN friends can confirm or deny this.  Again if true this shows how achin has worked to coerce international organizations to serve its interests.  But rather than backing away from these organizations we need to understand this is key terrain in one of the many battlespaces of Great Power Competition.

 

5. China is not a military threat, EU top diplomat says

Politico · by Jacopo Barigazzi · June 9, 2020

Really?  Would you want to build a national security strategy around that assumption?  Perhaps it is only a threat through political warfare, economic warfare,  and cyber warfare. Prudence demands we plan for the full range of threats to include the military threat.

 

6. 1962≠2020: US study explains India's conventional edge over China

indiatoday.in · by Ankit Kumar · June 9, 2020

An interesting perspective.  Unfortunately the only way to prove this is for the conflict to erupt. (Which I hope does not happen).

 

7. Harvard professor indicted for allegedly making false statements about secret work in Wuhan

CNBC · by Amanda Macias · June 9, 2020

I wonder what kind of a position is a "Strategic Scientist?"  What kind of scientist gets paid $50,0000 per month?  I was going to ask what motivates someone to do this.  But i think the answer is clear.

 

8. Taiwanese Fighters Drive Off Chinese Jets After Navy Transport Plane Flies Over The Island

thedrive.com · by Joseph Trevithick · June 9, 2020

 

9. The Ships, Planes, and Submarines Busting the Cartel's Narco Subs

Popular Mechanics · by Kyle Mizokami · June 8, 2020

Based on some of the photos I have seen, particularly the semi-submersibles, it makes me wonder if North Korea has sold some of these or has provided advice and assistance to the cartels.

 

10. Report: Killing of Utah mayor in Afghanistan was planned

startribune.com · by Associated Press June 8, 2020

A tragic counterintelligence failure.

 

11. Senate confirms first black service chief in U.S. history

Axios · by Orion Rummler

About time.

 

12. Exclusive: Obscure Indian cyber firm spied on politicians, investors worldwide

uk.reuters.com · by Jack Stubbs, Raphael Satter, Christopher Bing

Incredible.  This is why we need to focus on cyber civil defense and personal cyber hygiene. 

 

13. James Carafano: Reduce forces in Europe? America would suffer. Here's how

foxnews.com · by James Carafano, The Heritage Foundation

It is not in US national interests to withdraw from Germany.

That said we could change our force posture in all host nations if we conducted comprehensive assessments to determine what is the right force structure to protect and advance US interests and meet our treaty obligations. Such an assessment may reveal we need more troops or could provide us with alternative force structures that might better support our interests.

 

14. 'No official confirmation': If Trump is withdrawing troops, nobody has told Germany

Washington Examiner · by Joel Gehrke · June 9, 2020

 

15.   Take the Confederate Names Off Our Army Bases by David Petraeus

The Atlantic · by David Petraeus · June 9, 2020

This is going to stir up a lot of emotional discussion.  I think I understand the major issues and arguments on both sides. I suppose the fundamental question is are we going to look backward or do we want to look forward?

 

16. Dear Mr. Secretary, You Can Rename Army Bases Right Now

defenseone.com · by Mike Jason, John Nagl, and Paul Yingling

Proposed names and a draft memo to implement the changes.  What I especially like about this list is the majority of the names are NCOs and soldiers with a handful of junior officers.  And each is from the state in which it is located.

 

17. House Republicans object to pulling US troops out of Germany

foxnews.com · by Marisa Schultz | Fox News

No surprise here.  These Republicans understand national security.  Unfortunately Rep, Thornberry is retiring.  We will miss him.

 

18. House Intelligence Committee chairman wants to know whether Pentagon spy agency provided information on protesters

The Washington Post· Ellen Nakashima · June 8, 2020

 

19. US 'strategic approach' to China: compete, compel and challenge

aspistrategist.org.au · by Graeme Dobell · June 8, 2020

A new trinity.  A critique of the new US approach to China.

 

20. China pushes back against Harvard coronavirus study

Al Jazeera English

Again, lie, defy, and deny.  Or admit nothing, deny everything, and make counter accusations.  China has a pretty thin skin. It does not want its reputation damage.  What if this study is confirmed/proven? (it has not been peer reviewed yet)  How does China deal with that?

 

21. The Pandemic and Political Order - It Takes a State

Foreign Affairs · by Francis Fukuyama · June 9, 2020

Spoiler alert:  It is not the end of history. "The world is moving into a long, depressing slog."   But good news: "democracy, capitalism, and the United States have all proved capable of transformation and adaptation before."

 

22. The Pentagon Can't Afford All of the Weapons It Wants, New Report Says

defenseone.com · by Marcus Weisgerber

 And I think it will only get worse with our huge spending levels to fight COVID-19 and attempts to salvage the economy.

 

23. Military members are disproportionately affected by cybercrime: Here's why and how to avoid it

militarytimes.com · by Zach England · June 9, 2020

Cyber civil defense and cyber hygiene.  These concepts need to become second nature for all of us.  We all have to protect ourselves in ways we never had to two or three decades ago.

 

24. No Sign Of Antifa So Far In Justice Department Cases Brought Over Unrest

NPR · by Ryan Lucas · June 9, 2020

An interesting data point.

 

25. General Brown's Wisdom: The new Air Force chief of staff offers words right for the moment.

Wall Street Journal· by Editorial Staff · June 9, 2020

A good man at the right time.  I never crossed paths with General Brown though he has also served in Korea over the years.  

We should heed his words of wisdom.  Watch his video address here

 

-------------

 

"I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

 - James Baldwin

 

"To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men."

 - Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

 

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

 - John F. Kennedy

 

 

 

Dr. Robert J. Bunker, Senior Fellow, Small Wars Journal-El Centro has a new Land Warfare Paper at the Association of the United States Army. The paper, "Mission Command and Armed Robotic Systems Command and Control: A Human and Machine Assessment" looks at 'Mission Command' in the context of emerging armed robotic systems (artificial intelligence driven autonomous and semiautonomous weapons systems) in war. — SWJ Editors

 

Mission Command and Armed Robotic Systems Command and Control: A Human
and Machine Assessment 

Robert J. Bunker
AUSA ILW Paper 132
29 May 2020
 

For almost 20 years, mission command has been a key component of command and control (C2) in the U.S. Army. However, with the advancements in the realm of artificial intelligence and the resultant utilization of autonomous and semiautonomous weapon systems in warfare, it is necessary to examine the extent to which these machines can cooperate within this construct.

Mission command, properly understood, empowers subordinate decisionmaking and decentralized execution appropriate to any given situation. It is solely meant for human-to-human C2. Like war itself, it is an inherently “human endeavor . . . not a mechanical process that can be precisely controlled by machines [or] calculations.” Systems that use machine algorithms for their decisionmaking processes are in direct variance to the emotive- and moral-seeking components of
human cognition. Humans experience love, fear, camaraderie and hate—machines do not. Nor do they understand honor, integrity or self-sacrifice. Faced with this conflict, how can the deployment of machines work in concert with the Army’s C2?

Available at: https://www.ausa.org/publications/mission-command-and-armed-robotic-systems-command-and-control-human-and-machine.

 

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin.

1. America is giving up on the Pandemic

2. WHO says pandemic 'far from over' as daily cases hit record high

3. Coronavirus spread by people with no symptoms 'appears to be rare,' WHO official says

4. How the Pentagon could cut forces in Germany, and which bases might be affected

5. Trump's troop cut in Germany blindsided senior U.S. officials

6. Observers skeptical over reports on planned US troop withdrawal from Germany

7. Exclusive: U.S. Navy test shows 60 percent of carrier crew have coronavirus antibodies

8. Radio Beijing (Tiananmen Protests): June 4, 1989

9. Novel coronavirus may have been spreading in China in August, Harvard research indicates

10. Hal Brands - China, US, India and the Landscape of the 21st Century

11. Gordon Chang: America must 'un-teach' years of 'bad lessons' to China

12. The Covert Art of China's Military Activity in the East China Sea

13. China reins in nationalists clamoring for an invasion of Taiwan

14. The rise of strategic corruption - How states weaponize graft

15. Senate panel says U.S. telecoms failed for decades to prevent Chinese spying

16. Army adjusts 'leader first' policy, plans to integrate women into last 9 brigade combat teams this year

17. Four areas SOCOM's chief information officer wants to modernize

18. Special Operations Command wants to upgrade its data analytics platform

19. The Principles of Resignation: A Primer

20. Netflix snags Space Force trademarks ahead of US military

1. America is giving up on the Pandemic

defenseone.com · by The Atlantic · June 8, 2020

It ain't over 'til it's over. We become complacent about or ignore this risk at our peril. As of this morning the US has 1,961,185 cases and suffered 111.007 deaths. (world wide 7,136,366 cases and 406,813 deaths).

2. WHO says pandemic 'far from over' as daily cases hit record high

Reuters · by Stephanie Nebehay, Emma Farge · June 9, 2020

Just saying.

3. Coronavirus spread by people with no symptoms 'appears to be rare,' WHO official says

CNN · by Jacqueline Howard · June 9, 2020

But I think those who are pre-symptomatic (who do not have symptoms but do develop the infection) are contagious versus those who are asymptomatic and then never develop the infection. But we cannot know whether someone is asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic unless the person is tested and then we can only know the status of that person's infection or no-infection at the time of the test. I believe this is why we need to continue measures to limit the transmission of the virus.

4. How the Pentagon could cut forces in Germany, and which bases might be affected

Stars and Stripes · by John Vandiver · June 8, 2020

This will be a complex challenge. Has anyone asked Congress for the funds to do this?

5. Trump's troop cut in Germany blindsided senior U.S. officials

Reuters · by Jonathan Landay, Andrea Shalal, Arshad Mohammed · June 9, 2020

Did we have contingency plans for this? Surely we must by now have known that this was likely to come based on the President's words over the past 3 1/2 years. Maybe we did not know the specific number but surely we have planned for this. The next question is have we planned for near simultaneous withdrawals from both Germany and Korea? What if POTUS directs withdrawal from both theaters by the end of the year? Can he get Congress to fund the withdrawals?

6. Observers skeptical over reports on planned US troop withdrawal from Germany

DW · by Deutsche Welle · June 8, 2020

I am sure anyone trying to slow roll this action will be dealt with severely. And these kinds of reports will only harden POTUS' resolve to get it done. Any chance of getting him to reverse this decision becomes unlikely with reports like these.

I imagine the bureaucracy might try to wait him out and see how the November elections turn out. And the issue will be this might be so logistically challenging that it might not be able to be accomplished by the end of the year so it will give the appearance that there are people who are trying to slow-roll, stymie, or reverse this action.

But the question is what forces (number and types) does the EUCOM commander need to accomplish his missions across the spectrum of contingencies and potential conflict?

7. Exclusive: U.S. Navy test shows 60 percent of carrier crew have coronavirus antibodies

Reuters · by Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart · June 8, 2020

I will leave this to the medical professionals and scientists to evaluate but this seems like an incredible number. I suppose this is due to the close confines in which the crew lives and work. I wonder if this can be exploited somehow to develop solutions to the coronavirus problem.

8. Radio Beijing (Tiananmen Protests): June 4, 1989

shortwavearchive.com · by Tom Gavaras · May 17, 2020

You can listen to the English language broadcast at the link. The transcript is below.

9. Novel coronavirus may have been spreading in China in August, Harvard research indicates

Reuters · June 9, 2020

Of course, China is dismissive. Or perhaps lie, defy, and deny. Or admit nothing, deny everything, and make counter-accusations.

10. Hal Brands - China, US, India and the Landscape of the 21st Century

english.aawsat.com · by Hal Brands · June 9, 2020

A useful summary of the situation and conditions surrounding the US, India, and PRC relationship. Dr Brands offers some useful practical advice for American policy makers.

11. Gordon Chang: America must 'un-teach' years of 'bad lessons' to China

foxnews.com · by Julia Musto · May 28, 2020

The bottom line from Gordon.

12. The Covert Art of China's Military Activity in the East China Sea

The National Interest · by Michael Auslin · June 8, 2020

This is the key point from Michael Auslin. He provides a historical, theoretical, and geopolitical survey of China's actions.

13. China reins in nationalists clamoring for an invasion of Taiwan

Los Angeles Times · by David Pierson · June 9, 2020

Militant Nationalists? Aren't those the ones in the Chinese Communist Party? 

14. The rise of strategic corruption - How states weaponize graft

Foreign Affairs · by Philip Zelikow, Eric Edelman, Kristofer Harrison, and Celeste Ward Gventer · June 9, 2020

The authors argue the weaponization of graft by states into an instrument of national power is a new phenomenon which has caused a shift in international politics. Now the fight against corruption can no longer be marginalized.  hey introduce some new terms (new to me anyway): "Strategic corruption" and "grand corruption" and I think. we have already known about "bureaucratic corruption." In the end they argue the corruption scandal in Ukraine should reset the policy agenda and they call it a warning concluding that states are "vulnerable to a new form of political warfare, a strategy that takes advantage of freedoms in order to discredit them."

15. Senate panel says U.S. telecoms failed for decades to prevent Chinese spying

The Washington Post · by Joseph Marks

16. Army adjusts 'leader first' policy, plans to integrate women into last 9 brigade combat teams this year

armytimes.com · by Kyle Rempfer · June 8, 2020

In a year or so this will be old news and the new normal.

17. Four areas SOCOM's chief information officer wants to modernize

c4isrnet.com · by Andrew Eversden · June 8, 2020

The four areas:

A new software development platform

Improving data efficiency

Overcoming the talent shortage

COVID-19 changes

18. Special Operations Command wants to upgrade its data analytics platform

c4isrnet.com · by Andrew Eversden · June 9, 2020

19. The Principles of Resignation: A Primer

ausa.org · by Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik · June 6, 2020

Given the state of civil-military relations I think it is useful to read this "primer" from LTG Jim Dubik who is arguably one of the leader thinkers on ethics in the military.

20. Netflix snags Space Force trademarks ahead of US military

cnet.com · by Shelby Brown · June 8, 2020

I wonder if this issue will be parodied in a future episode of Space Force on Netflix. How would the writers do that? :-). The show irreverently parodies current events. I am sure it will figure out how to parody this. 

What I want to know is if they get the rights to the name in the US and the show is a failure and is not renewed what will happen to the trademark? Although I find the show hilarious my daughter tells me it is not at all popular among Generation Z.

 

-----------

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." 

- Evelyn Beatrice Hall in The Friends of Voltaire (1906)

"A fact is a simple statement that everyone believes. It's innocent, unless found guilty. A Hypothesis is a novel suggestion that no one wants to believe. It's guilty, until found effective." 

- Edward Teller

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth."

- William Faulkner

 

 

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin.

1. FDD | China's Coercion threatens ROK-U.S. Alliance

2. Coddling Pyongyang will only fuel Kim Jong Un's brinkmanship

3. Trump continually reassessing U.S. overseas military presence: White House 

4. Would Donald Trump pull U.S. Troops from South Korea?

5. Pyongyang sends mixed signals on liaison office

6. Kim Jong-un reappears in public - again - as Korean reunification talks hurtle towards 'failure'

7. Kim Jong Un led a Politburo meeting - here's what was discussed

8. Commentary: How is North Korea laundering money - and getting away with it?

9. North Korean leader ditches his usual dull attire

10. Tempers flare as South Korean villagers stop activists from sending rice, face masks to North

11. Seoul keeps low key despite Pyongyang's words of threat

12. Progress made on Mirim Parade Training Ground: Paving of Roads and Interior Areas

13. A lesson that should never be forgotten

14. Ex-US envoy Lippert to head YouTube's Asia-Pacific regional policy

15. Explainer: Pyongyang calling - What we know about the hotlines to North Korea

16. Don't bother calling us, North Korea tells South, as Kim's sister dials up threats

17. North Korea isn't talking to the South anymore. Experts say it could be trying to manufacture a crisis

18. N. Korea's fury over leafleting shows it can never take mudslinging of Kim's leadership

19. S. Korea 'closely communicating' with U.S. about N.K. decision to sever all inter-Korean phone lines

 

1. FDD | China's Coercion threatens ROK-U.S. Alliance

fdd.org · by Mathew Ha Research Analyst · June 1, 2020

From my colleague Mathew Ha. 

2. Coddling Pyongyang will only fuel Kim Jong Un's brinkmanship

donga.com · June 9, 2020

Exactly. We are teaching Kim that his blackmail diplomacy works. The author accuses South Korea of falling back on appeasement. He also thinks Kim will use the US election "to make his presence felt." The concluding sentence is instructive. I think this explains the present north-South relationship.

3. Trump continually reassessing U.S. overseas military presence: White House 

en.yna.co.kr · by 이해아 · June 9, 2020

The White House spokeswoman is providing the message for the burden-sharing negotiations. There should be no doubt the White House wants the Germany troop decision to serve as a warning to South Korea.

When President Trump says he can go either way on troop presence in South Korea we need to keep in mind one significant difference with the situation in Germany. The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) says that no money will be appropriated to reduce the number of US forces below 28,500 troops unless the secretary of defense can certify the reduction does not harm the national security of the United States and its allies. The key question is if the President wants to withdraw forces from Korea the SECDEF will have to make this certification. Will he do that and how will he spin the facts to say there will be no harm to US or ROK national security.

Removing troops from Korea (and Germany) will be hugely expensive and the funds are no programmed in the FY 2020 budget. And the logistics and personnel issues of withdrawing troops (and their equipment and dependents) from both Korea and Germany will be very complex and difficult. A key question is has the Pentagon conducted the contingency planning?

I have written extensively on this issue.

Please see pages 65-67 here. The ROK-US Alliance: One American's Perspective Now And For The Future

See also this paper: U.S.-ROK Relations An Ironclad Alliance or a Transactional House of Cards?

4. Would Donald Trump pull U.S. Troops from South Korea?

The National Interest · by Daniel R. DePetris · June 8, 2020

I think the operative word is "could."  

As I wrote in my previous message: The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) says that no money will be appropriated to reduce the number of US forces below 28,500 troops unless the secretary of defense can certify the reduction does not harm the national security of the United States and its allies. Mr. DePetris says the NDAA prevents the withdrawal but as I wrote if the SECDEF is willing to certify there is no harm to national security of the ROK and US Congress may in fact appropriate the funds to withdraw the troops. So yes, he could.

The sad irony is I believe both Moon and Trump would like US troops removed but neither wants to make the decision. Instead this is almost like a face off and trying to make the other one blink first. If Moon made the decision to not fund US troops and tell the US to take the troops home Trump would be very happy (and one thing the US is consistent about, if the host nation asks us to leave we will leave and leave quickly). But Moon does not want to have as his legacy the President who force the removal of US troops. Moon would rather Trump made the decision to withdraw because then he would shoulder less of the blame. But neither want the responsibility for what is very likely to happen next if US troops are withdrawn which is the very real possibility of war. Additionally, China and Russia would be very happy to see US troops go. And obviously a key element of north Korean strategy is to get US forces off the peninsula. Sadly, the only leader that does not want US forces off the peninsula is Prime Minister Abe.

5. Pyongyang sends mixed signals on liaison office

koreajoongangdaily · by Shim Kyu-seok · June 8, 2020

The appearance of mixed messages perhaps. The liaison office issue is just a small part of the larger issues. I think we should consider that north Korea does not want to deal with South Korea as an equal. It wants to either extort concessions or if unsuccessful in obtaining concessions wants to use the South for blame for the suffering in the north. And of course, it is deathly afraid of the information and influence activities being conducted by the escapees from north Korea.

6. Kim Jong-un reappears in public - again - as Korean reunification talks hurtle towards 'failure'

RFI · by Jan van der Made · June 8, 2020

Seems like the author is getting ahead of the process or making a great leap. I do not recall aunt recent unification talks between North and South. But as I read to the end of the article, I believe he is talking about family reunion or "reunification" talks. But the article gives a pretty good rundown of the North's insults and actions toward the South.

7. Kim Jong Un led a Politburo meeting - here's what was discussed

americanmilitarynews.com · June 8, 2020

Chemical factories, "dwelling houses" and living conditions, "party-rule" related matters, an organizational matter.

8. Commentary: How is North Korea laundering money - and getting away with it?

channelnewsasia.com · by Steven Borowiec · June 9, 2020

The regime is very creative and resilient. And yes, we can and must do more to stop the regime's illicit activities. But even as we do more the regime is very adaptive and will develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures, to continue to obtain hard currency for the regime. But we cannot use that as an excuse not to all that we can to maintain maximum pressure.

9. North Korean leader ditches his usual dull attire

Daily Mail · by Sophie Tanno · June 8, 2020

It is after Memorial Day so I guess wearing white is okay within the rules of fashion.

10. Tempers flare as South Korean villagers stop activists from sending rice, face masks to North

SCMP · by Park Chan-kyong · June 8, 2020

It pains me to read this. No Korean should ever deny information flow to the North.

11. Seoul keeps low key despite Pyongyang's words of threat

donga.com · June 8, 2020

Seoul is faced with two threats. One from Pyongyang and the other the implied threat of US troop withdrawal. 

12. Progress made on Mirim Parade Training Ground: Paving of Roads and Interior Areas

38north.org · by Martyn Williams · June 8, 2020

Kim says "I love a parade." With all the sacrifice and suffering in the North is the really the kind of infrastructure development that should be a priority? This is just another indication of the nature of the Kim family regime and emphasizes the cultist nature of the mafia like crime family cult. We need to build storage facilities that can hold and protect tele-erector launchers (TELs) for the parade while millions of Koreans in the north are food insecure.

13. A lesson that should never be forgotten

donga.com · June 9, 2020

Another example of the shared values in our great ROK/US Alliance. But the message is in the final paragraph.

14. Ex-US envoy Lippert to head YouTube's Asia-Pacific regional policy

en.yna.co.kr · by 김한주 · June 9, 2020

I hope he is able to fight censorship of YouTube in South Korea.

15. Explainer: Pyongyang calling - What we know about the hotlines to North Korea

Reuters · by Josh Smith · June 9, 2020

Note the "high tech" communications gear - a modern Army TA-312 field phone and a fax machine. I believe the UN Command provided the fax machine and the field phone (and batteries) to the North Koreans on their side of Panmunjom. (though the text describes computers, USB drives (which I hope are scanned for malware), and color-coded handsets).

16. Don't bother calling us, North Korea tells South, as Kim's sister dials up threats

The Washington Post · by Min Joo Kim and Simon Denyer · June 9, 2020

I think the new analysis is Kim Yo-jong is asserting her authority to demonstrate her power. Also, a key point from the article is the regime is exploiting the South's desire for better relations. The South "badly" wants better relations from the north. As the saying goes when you want something bad you get it bad.

17. North Korea isn't talking to the South anymore. Experts say it could be trying to manufacture a crisis

CNN · by Joshua Berlinger and Jake Kwon · June 9, 2020

Manufacture a crisis? Say it ain't so. That is the essence of the regime's strategy of subversion, coercion/extortion (e.g., blackmail diplomacy) and use of force to dominate the peninsula. Blackmail diplomacy uses increased tensions (or manufactured crises or even the threat of crises) and provocations to obtain political and economic concessions. North Korean escapee's information and influence activities (balloon launches with leaflets, etc or plastic bottles filled with rice, leaflets, USB drives and money floated across the Han River) is the excuse to "manufacture a crisis." But information and influence activities are real crisis for the Kim family regime. These influence operations are having a positive effect on the Korean people in the North and thus a threat to the legitimacy and survival of the regime.

18. N. Korea's fury over leafleting shows it can never take mudslinging of Kim's leadership

en.yna.co.kr · by 김승연 · June 9, 2020

The number one rule in North Korea is you do not insult the Supreme, Great, or Dear Leader (or boy general) Marshall Kim Jong-un. Please always show respect for his rotund heinousness (or is that highness?)

19. S. Korea 'closely communicating' with U.S. about N.K. decision to sever all inter-Korean phone lines

en.yna.co.kr · by 김승연 · June 9, 2020

-----------

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." 

- Evelyn Beatrice Hall in The Friends of Voltaire (1906)

"A fact is a simple statement that everyone believes. It's innocent, unless found guilty. A Hypothesis is a novel suggestion that no one wants to believe. It's guilty, until found effective." 

- Edward Teller

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth."

- William Faulkner

 

 

Small Wars Journal is published by Small Wars Foundation. Our business address is now:

Small Wars Foundation
1350 Beverly Rd, Ste 115-224
McLean, VA 22101-3633

This replaces our FL address, which was shut down in May.

We still get mail trickling in via forwards from our old MD address, but that one is long gone.

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin.

1. If China invades Taiwan, this is what the Fleet could look like

2. Pompeo and Trump can turn human-rights issues against China

3. US troops end hunt for brutal Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony

4. In Iraq, I raided insurgents. In Virginia, the police raided me.

5. The Real History of Antifa

6. Expert warns of Russian efforts to fuel unrest in U.S.

7. Suspect in deputy's ambush killing is active-duty Air Force sergeant

8. Norway Scientist claims report proves Coronavirus was lab-made

9. Retreat from Germany

10. U.S. senator Scott says China trying to sabotage vaccine development

11. China suspends debt repayment for 77 developing countries, regions in Covid-19 fight

12. Beijing is pushing a new 'front line' in the South China Sea

13. Western powers lead new anti-China alliance

14. India and China agree to 'peacefully resolve' border tensions

15. China could force Donald Trump and the Fed to destroy the U.S. banking system

16. There is No Thucydides Trap between the U.S. and China

17. Danger ahead: US bumps in China's global belt and road

18. Is Beijing preparing for backdoor military aggression against Taiwan?

19. It's Not the Plane, it's the Payload: A 21st-Century Solution for Armed Overwatch

20. SOCOM's Hyper-enabled Operator: Will it work this time?

 

1. If China invades Taiwan, this is what the Fleet could look like

Forbes · by H I Sutton · June 7, 2020

Perhaps the worst case scenario. As I understand it there is only one beach landing site. Would PLA be able to land sufficient combat power at that site? How long could Taiwanese defense hold out?

Graphics at the link.

2. Pompeo and Trump can turn human-rights issues against China

The Hill · by Joseph Bosco, opinion contributor · June 7, 2020

Human rights are a moral imperative and a national security issue. However, we have to be prepared for the counter-propaganda campaign that China will execute. They will of course defend themselves using the current unrest in the US. They are already doing this. We can counter that by emphasizing and protecting American values to include the right to peaceably assemble and air grievances. The Chinese cannot get a pass for their human rights abuses just as we cannot give ourselves a pass for the underlying grievances that led to the current protests. The difference is we will correct our course and the Chinese Communist Party will not.

3. US troops end hunt for brutal Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony

nation.co.ke · June 7, 2020

What an evil man. When I was the G3 at USASOC, I recall some SF general officers who vehemently opposed this mission.

4. In Iraq, I raided insurgents. In Virginia, the police raided me.

The Washington Post · by Alex Horton · July 24, 2015

This is from 2015 but it is very insightful, relevant, and timely (or perhaps timeless until we reform some police practices) Alex Horton is a great American continuing to serve as part of the Fourth Estate. Few other journalists could tell a story this way - they would have had to serve in combat and have been raided by American police.

5. The Real History of Antifa

americanmind.org · by Kyle Shideler · June 7, 2020

This is a very interesting and useful history of ANTIFA. This is a useful counterview to the ABC news article I posted yesterday. I have actually heard this history now from some friends who actually grew up in communist countries in the Cold War.

This organization should be studied by all those with an interest in Small Wars (including but is not limited to all aspects of lawlessness, subversion, insurgency, terrorism, political resistance, non-violent resistance, political violence, urban operations, stability operations, post-conflict operations, cyber operations, information and influence activities e.g., (information operations, public diplomacy, psychological operations, and military information support operations), working through, with, and by indigenous forces and populations, irregular warfare, political warfare, economic warfare, alliances, diplomacy, and statecraft in all regions of the world.)

6. Expert warns of Russian efforts to fuel unrest in U.S.

unian.info · by REUTERS · June 7, 2020

This is a follow-up story to the one by the Ukrainian author Oleksandr Danylyuk, a couple of days ago. He repeats the conclusion of the previous article: "the United States is no longer an early stage of hybrid aggression." We should be thinking hard about this.

7. Suspect in deputy's ambush killing is active-duty Air Force sergeant

washingtontimes · by Martha Mendoza · June 7, 2020

Another person who never should have been in the military. I wonder why he was allowed to PCS in 2018 if he was under investigation for his wife's murder.

8. Norway Scientist claims report proves Coronavirus was lab-made

Forbes · by David Nikel · June 7, 2020

Hmmm.....I wonder if this will stir something up or will it just be discounted. It will be interesting to see how China tries to quash this.

9. Retreat from Germany

WSJ · June 7, 2020

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board considers this a win for Russia AND China. Damage to any US alliances is a win for China.

10. U.S. senator Scott says China trying to sabotage vaccine development

Reuters · June 7, 2020

I wonder what is the evidence that they are trying to sabotage vaccine development.

11. China suspends debt repayment for 77 developing countries, regions in Covid-19 fight

malaymail.com · by Debra Chong · June 7, 2020

Has China felt the heat of criticism for employing its debt trap strategy? Is it now shifting to a soft power approach? But the key point is 77 developing countries are indebted to China. And this appears to be only a suspension. They are not forgiving these loans though no details were provided.

12. Beijing is pushing a new 'front line' in the South China Sea

CNN · by Ben Westcott and Brad Lendon · June 7, 2020

I am reminded of Lenin here, but I am sure Mao said something similar. "probe with bayonets - If you encounter mush, proceed; if you encounter steel, withdraw."

China is probing.

13. Western powers lead new anti-China alliance

almasdarnews.com · June 7, 2020

It will be interesting to see how this develops and what it does and what effects it can achieve. Those shared values [in the article] are individual liberty and freedom, liberal democracy, free market economy, and human rights. This is what we need to focus on and emphasize. This is how we win in the competition with the revisionist and rogue powers.

14. India and China agree to 'peacefully resolve' border tensions

CNBC · by Saheli Roy Choudhury · June 8, 2020

We certainly do not need a war between India and China.

15. China could force Donald Trump and the Fed to destroy the U.S. banking system

Forbes · by Billy Bambrough · June 8, 2020

Can digital currency damage our financial system?

16. There is No Thucydides Trap between the U.S. and China

realcleardefense.com · by Richard Hanania

As the title says the author argues against what is almost the conventional wisdom. But the author provides an interesting discussion of what is the trap as he tries to argue there is not one between the PRC and the US. I think the key to his argument is knowing what China wants. He thinks China's ambitions are "moderate." But can we really know what China wants (or more specifically the Chinese Communist Party)?

17. Danger ahead: US bumps in China's global belt and road

SCMP · by Laura Zhou · June 8, 2020

Has the PRC over-extended itself? There will be an alternative option with the Blue Dot Network. 

18. Is Beijing preparing for backdoor military aggression against Taiwan?

The American Conservative · by Ted Galen Carpenter · June 8, 2020

Mr. Carpenter provides a scenario for the Chinese - "would it attack Kinmen and Matsu-or even more tempting, against Taiping and the other remote islets?"

Of course, that begs the question, what would the US do if the PRC took such action?

19. It's Not the Plane, it's the Payload: A 21st-Century Solution for Armed Overwatch

thestrategybridge.org · by Vincent Wroble · June 8, 2020

20. SOCOM's Hyper-enabled Operator: Will it work this time?

breakingdefense.com · by Paul McLeary · June 5, 2020

The North is embarking on a new propaganda campaign.   

 

-----------

"Even if you strive diligently on your chosen path day after day, if your heart is not in accord with it, then even if you think you are on a good path, from the point of view of the straight and true, this is not a genuine path. If you do not pursue a genuine path to its consummation, then a little bit of crookedness in the mind will later turn into a major warp. Reflect on this."

- Musashi Miyomoto, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
 

 

"To a disciple who was forever complaining about others, the Master said, 'If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.'"

- Anthony de Mello 

 

"Fast is fine but accuracy is final.  You must learn to be slow in a hurry."

- Wyatt Earp

 

 

 
 

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Daniel Riggs.

1. South Korea Blocks NGO from Sending Bibles, Rice to North

2. N.K. leader holds politburo meeting, makes no mention of inter-Korean issues

3.  New virus cases dip below 40, cluster infections still at large in greater Seoul

4. Center opens to narrow inter-Korean cultural differences

5. Trump orders withdrawal of 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany

6. Leaflet campaign 'overshadows' inter-Korean dialogue efforts

7, U.S. Official Urges Korea to Be More Flexible in Cost-Sharing

8. Source provides insight into two new major figures in North Korea's leadership

9. Pyongyang must return to talks (KOR)

10. North Korea after the U.S. election

11. North Korea: Call from South to North goes unanswered for first time

12. North Korea's Kim stresses self-sufficient economy as tensions with South Korea rise

13. Kim Jong-un's Sister 'Now in Charge of Dealing with S.Korea'

14. N.K. threats signal leader Kim's push to elevate sister's status: experts

15. Grinning Kim Jong-un sits yards away from party officials

16. An open letter to Kim Yo Jong - Daily NK

17. Coronavirus: No mention of COVID-19 as Kim Jong Un chairs Politburo meeting

18. U.S. scholar cites S. Korea's 'sense of community, social cohesion' as reason for successful virus response

19. U.S. Bristles at Korean Response to Pressure over China

 

1. South Korea Blocks NGO from Sending Bibles, Rice to North

voanews.com · by William Gallo · June 5, 2020

This is so very troubling.  South Korea is making a big mistake.

 

2. N.K. leader holds politburo meeting, makes no mention of inter-Korean issues

en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · June 8, 2020

The chemical industry is dual use.  Remember it was VX that was used to assassinate Kim's brother in Malaysia.

 

3. New virus cases dip below 40, cluster infections still at large in greater Seoul

en.yna.co.kr · by 강윤승 · June 8, 2020

Two other statistics we do not see emphasized.  The total death toll is 273.  However, 10,563 people have recovered from the coronavirus.

 

4. Center opens to narrow inter-Korean cultural differences
The Korea Times · June 7, 2020

"Intra-Korea."  Note the numbers of escapees arriving in South Korea is declining.

 

5. Trump orders withdrawal of 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany

donga.com by Yong Park, June 8, 2020

Korea is worried about this.  And it should be.  And for the Pentagon must also be worried. Imagine if POTUS orders a similar withdrawal from Korea by the end of the year.    Moving nearly 20,000 troops and dependents from Germany and Korea will be quite a challenge.

Trump orders withdrawal of 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany

6. Leaflet campaign 'overshadows' inter-Korean dialogue efforts

The Korea Times · June 7, 2020

I am happy to see the South Korean military does not interpret the balloon launches as a military action and thus not a violation of the Comprehensive Military Agreement.

But there is the deal.  Stopping the launches and stopping the flow of information into North Korea will not restart intra-Korean dialogue.  It is a mistake to believe this.  

North Korea is demanding information and influence activities be halted because it is having a positive impact on the Korean people living in the north.  These activities are having an impact and causing

 

7. U.S. Official Urges Korea to Be More Flexible in Cost-Sharing

english.chosun.com

I know Marc Knapper would never say these words but I am sure the Koreans are feeling them:  "Be more flexible or you will soon get the Germany treatment."

It we had demanded $1.3 billion last fall we probably would have had an agreement by last December.  But we held out for $4-5 billion for far too long.  And now after the April 15 election it is unlikely the National Assembly will approve a $1.3 billion payment.

And if we remove 9,500 troops from Korea Kim will be saying now that's a small victory.  Maybe next year I can get another 9,500 withdrawn and each year after until there are finally no US troops on the Korean peninsula. All I have to do is continue my blackmail diplomacy which helps to divide the alliance and watch US troops disappear before my eyes.

 

8. Source provides insight into two new major figures in North Korea's leadership

dailynk.com · by Ha Yoon Ah · June 8, 2020

For all the Kimologists and Korea watchers.  New heads of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGC) and Supreme Guards Command.

Interesting discussion about a North Korean operation is disclosed.  Rim Gwang-il plans more operations in South Korea and other places.  Note the emphasis on "training more computer professionals and dispatching them in disguise. 

 

9. Pyongyang must return to talks (KOR)

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

Pyongyang must?  Why should Kim?  I think Kim would only return to talks if he had a commitment that sanctions would be lifted and/or if he received a large stranger of cash directly to the regime.

But in the final paragraph the author claims the regime's belligerence will lead to a Biden win in November.  Perhaps Kim Jong-un thinks he will have an impact on the election but I seriously doubt it (unless he starts a war). Sure we may see some campaign rhetoric about North Korea but it will not change any Republican or Democratic votes and have little impact on Independents.

 

10. North Korea after the U.S. election

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · by Michael Green

Some interesting insight from Mike Green on either a Trump second term or a Biden victory.  His final line is most instructive when he asks what Trump or Biden will.  As always it depends on what Kim Jong-un does.

 

11. North Korea: Call from South to North goes unanswered for first time

BBC · June 8, 2020

The regime is playing hard ball with the South.  There are such low standards of "success" in North Korea relations:  Just answering the phone is quite a metric.

 

12. North Korea's Kim stresses self-sufficient economy as tensions with South Korea rise

Reuters · by Sangmi Cha and Josh Smith· June 8, 2020

The question the Korean people living in the north must have for Kim Jong-un after this politburo meeting and statement: "Is this all you got?"

This is just more of the same for the Korean people in the north: more sacrifice and suffering.

 

13. Kim Jong-un's Sister 'Now in Charge of Dealing with S.Korea'

english.chosun.com

Lucky South Korea.   Hmmm... the final paragraph says she is being charged to "tame" South Korea and she has been put in charge because she is thought to be liked in South Korea.

Just as an aside I think we have Kim Yo-Jong as a member of the Organization and Guidance Department, the Vice Director of the Propaganda and Agitation department, and now apparent at the top of the United Front Department.  It seems like Kim Jong-un is placing some of the key levers of power in Kim Yo-jong's hands.  Maybe she is being groomed for eventual leadership.

 

14. N.K. threats signal leader Kim's push to elevate sister's status: experts

en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · June 8, 2020

One assessment of Kim Yo-jong's actions is to stoke divisions within South Korea while raising her stature.

 

15. Grinning Kim Jong-un sits yards away from party officials

Scottishsun.co.uk · Jon Lockett · June 8, 2020

Note the photos.  Kim is grinning as he tells the Korean people living in the north that all they can expect is sacrifice and suffering.

 

16. An open letter to Kim Yo Jong - Daily NK

dailynk.com · by Lee Kwang Baek, · June 8, 2020

A fascinating letter from the President of the Unification Media Group which publishes the Daily NK.  It provides some important insights into the north, South, and escapees.

 

17. Coronavirus: No mention of COVID-19 as Kim Jong Un chairs Politburo meeting

Sky News

Have they prevented it or successfully covered it up?

 

18.  U.S. scholar cites S. Korea's 'sense of community, social cohesion' as reason for successful virus response

en.yna.co.kr · by 송상호 · June 8, 2020

This is why some South Korean techniques will not work in the US despite the fact there are currently deep divisions within Korean society.

 

19.  U.S. Bristles at Korean Response to Pressure over China

english.chosun.com

As we surprised the Ambassador's statements would be misinterpreted and misunderstood though the only thing that acknowledges that is in the title.  There is very little substance in the article.

 

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"Even if you strive diligently on your chosen path day after day, if your heart is not in accord with it, then even if you think you are on a good path, from the point of view of the straight and true, this is not a genuine path. If you do not pursue a genuine path to its consummation, then a little bit of crookedness in the mind will later turn into a major warp. Reflect on this."

- Musashi Miyomoto, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy

 

"To a disciple who was forever complaining about others, the Master said, 'If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.'"

- Anthony de Mello

 

"Fast is fine but accuracy is final.  You must learn to be slow in a hurry." 

- Wyatt Earp