News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Duncan Moore.

1. Prolonged silence: North Korea seems troubled with how to cope with the incoming US administration

2. Treasury sanctions companies exporting North Korean labor to Russia

3. Joe Biden's Korea strategy needs to be grounded in reality

4. North Korea: how Joe Biden could reset negotiations

5.  US military reports more than 50 new coronavirus patients in Japan and South Korea

6. Joe Biden should learn from history when dealing with North Korea

7. Biden’s mission: unite Japan and South Korea

8. Report: North Korean defector who vaulted over DMZ fence is former gymnast

9. Covid-19 unleashes new wave of North Korean refugees

10. North Korean students shot for sex abuse, report says

11. Covid-19 vaccine research in India, abroad bombarded by North Korean, Russian hackers

12. N. Korea publishes picture album featuring weapons under leader Kim Jong-un

13. North Koreans 'will pay with their lives' after forest fire that threatened base

14. Biden's pick for top diplomat expected to look to Iran formula for N.K. denuke

15. Revision to Enterprise Act strengthens government control over private businesses

16. Unification minister’s inter-Korean illusion and outdated behaviors

17. Bridging the divide in the U.S.-South Korea alliance

18. Chinese FM visits Korea this week

19. Elderly mother of North Korean official dies after he kicks her out of his home

20. Why North Korea could not implement the Chinese style reform and opening? The internal contradiction between economic reform and political stability

21. Competing in the Pacific: a conversation with U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James C. McConville

 

1. Prolonged silence: North Korea seems troubled with how to cope with the incoming US administration

Korea Herald · November 22, 2020

Perhaps both Kim and Biden will be dealing with the same crisis: COVID-19?

 

2. Treasury sanctions companies exporting North Korean labor to Russia

FDD · Mathew Ha · November 23, 2020

The latest from my colleague, Mathew Ha.

 

3. Joe Biden's Korea strategy needs to be grounded in reality

National Interest · Doug Bandow · November 23, 2020

Reality?

Here is the reality. Assisting in the defense South Korea is secondary to the main US interest: deterring war on the Korean peninsula. And we know from history, analysis, and high-ranking defectors (e.g Hwang Jong-yop) that it is the presence of US forces that deters the Kim family regime. If we remove troops. there will be conflict on the Korea peninsula. Such a conflict will be catastrophic in the region but will have severe global effects.

It is a pipe dream to think that the nuclear umbrella and air and sea-based power is sufficient for deterrence when we know it is the presence of US troops that serves as the deterrent. Basing deterrence offshore may as well be called the new Acheson strategy. It is a recipe for conflict. 

And the argument of trading an American city for Seoul is ludicrous. Removing US troops from the peninsula will in no way deter or prevent Kim from deciding to launch an ICBM against the US. And it is a fool's errand to think we can trade US troops for denuclearization. In fact, it will only reinforce the idea that Kim can attack the South and his nuclear armed ICBM will deter us returning to assist in the defense of the South.

Reality? We should remember this reality: this is why we describe the Kim family regime as a mafia-like crime family cult that employs a political warfare strategy based on subversion, coercion/extortion (blackmail diplomacy), and someday when the alliance is split, the use of force to dominate the peninsula. The proposals in this article will lead to a splitting of the alliance and then war on the Korean peninsula.

 

4. North Korea: how Joe Biden could reset negotiations

National Interest · Seong-Chang Cheong · November 23, 2020

Certainly, some out of the box thinking - VP-Elect Harris negotiating with Kim Yo-Jong or Choe Ryong-Hae?

Paradoxically, the brighter future we have offered and the economic engagement proposed by South Korea are also threats to the survival of the regime because such a future and engagement will lead to opening, information, and undermining the legitimacy of the regime.

 

5. US military reports more than 50 new coronavirus patients in Japan and South Korea

Stars & Stripes · Joseph Ditzler & Aya Ichihashi · November 23, 2020

 

6. Joe Biden should learn from history when dealing with North Korea

National Interest · Hazel Smith · November 23, 2020

Yes, we should learn from history. But we also need to be careful with our assumptions. I also agree that the regime is "knowable" and is not irrational.

I think it is an erroneous assumption that the Kim family regime wants security guarantees so that it can live in peace. Yes, survival of the regime is paramount, but there are two things to consider. First, the regime will never trust any US or South Korean or international community security guarantees. Second, the regime believes it will only attain the security necessary for survival of the regime is if it dominates the Korean peninsula and brings it under the total rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State.

This analysis just does not go far enough and to work from the assumptions here will not lead to denuclearization. The regime is just not going to trade nuclear weapons for security guarantees.

 

7. Biden’s mission: unite Japan and South Korea

Asia Times · Daniel Sneider · November 24, 2020

A worthy and important objective. Is it possible? I will settle for at least amicable relations and a commitment by both leaders of Korea and Japan to place national security and national prosperity ahead of historical issues.

 

8. Report: North Korean defector who vaulted over DMZ fence is former gymnast

UPI · Elizabeth Shim · November 23, 2020

A gymnast? The South Barrier Fence of the DMZ is pretty high. He must be very good. And we should learn that technology is insufficient to prevent infiltration. You need aggressive patrolling, which is manpower intensive.

 

9. Covid-19 unleashes new wave of North Korean refugees

Asia Times · Bertil Lintner · November 23, 2020

 

10. North Korean students shot for sex abuse, report says

Asia Times · Bradley K. Martin · November 24, 2020

More insights into the nature of the Kim family regime as well as the elites.

 

11. Covid-19 vaccine research in India, abroad bombarded by North Korean, Russian hackers

News 18 · Shouvik Das · November 24, 2020

No surprise.

 

12. N. Korea publishes picture album featuring weapons under leader Kim Jong-un

Yonhap News Agency · 이원주 · November 24, 2020

Coincidence? USFK decides not to publish the UNC/CFC/USFK Strategic Digest this year.

 

13. North Koreans 'will pay with their lives' after forest fire that threatened base

Mirror · Michael Havis · November 24, 2020

More insights into the nature of the Kim family regime.

I wonder what our ISR observes regarding the effects of the fire.

 

14. Biden’s pick for top diplomat expected to look to Iran formula for N.K. denuke

Yonhap News Agency · 송상호 · November 24, 2020

North Korea is not Iran and I am sure Mr. Blinken knows that fact.

 

15. Revision to Enterprise Act strengthens government control over private businesses

Daily NK · Jang Seun Gi · November 24, 2020

Further crackdowns on (relatively) "free enterprise" and nascent capitalism. These are measures to allow the regime to tighten control over every aspect of the economy and this the people.

 

16. Unification minister’s inter-Korean illusion and outdated behaviors

Dong-A Ilbo · November 24, 2020

I cannot beat this drum enough. The Moon administration needs to reexamine its fundamental assumptions about the nature of the Kim family regime and its strategies and objectives. The incoming Biden administration should use the MOFA-State strategy working group to assess assumptions and develop and alliance approach to strategy toward North Korea.

 

17. Bridging the divide in the U.S.-South Korea alliance

Center for American Progress · Michael Fuchs & Haneul Lee · November 23, 2020

A progressive analysis of the alliance that concludes with a call for cooperation among progressives in both countries

 

18. Chinese FM visits Korea this week

Chosun Ilbo · Kim Eun-joong · November 24, 2020

 

19. Elderly mother of North Korean official dies after he kicks her out of his home

Radio Free Asia · Hyemin Son, Leejin Jun, & Eugene Whong · November 24, 2020

More on the nature of the Kim family regime and its party officials.

 

20. Why North Korea could not implement the Chinese style reform and opening? The internal contradiction between economic reform and political stability

SAGE Journals · Sungmin Cho · November 6, 2020

From our good friend Sungmin Cho, former ROK Army intelligence officer, Georgetown PhD, and now professor at APCSS in Hawaii.

He answers the age-old question in the title. I do not know how many times I have heard the question, why doesn't North Korea just open up and reform like China?

 

21. Competing in the Pacific: a conversation with U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James C. McConville

FDD · Clifford D. May · November 19, 2020

The CSA provides detailed insights throughout the INDOPACIFIC to include from his recent visit to Korea and Indonesia.

Unfortunately, I do not think the Romiania analogy is going to work with the South Koreans.

 

"The mind of the enemy and the will of his leaders is a target of far   more importance than the bodies of his troops."

- Mao Zedong

“If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

- Sun Tzu

"War is getting sneakier. War is going underground. And we have to go underground with it. We have to fight in the shadows. Otherwise, we will be left behind."

- Sean McFate

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Duncan Moore.

1. Righting the course for America’s special operators

2. U.S. Navy admiral makes unannounced visit to Taiwan, sources say

3. Biden chooses Antony Blinken, defender of global alliances, as Secretary of State

4. US only 'marginally' ready for great power fight, new assessment finds

5. Pentagon to impose new coronavirus restrictions

6. International business needs grand strategy

7. US special operators and Army artillerymen flex muscles in groundbreaking Black Sea drill

8. Exit as voice: the silence of the flags

9. Experts tell lawmakers rapid Afghanistan withdrawal is a recipe for another terror attack

10. Bring US operational training and experimentation into the 21st century

11. America’s elite universities hide contributions from world’s worst human-rights abusers

12. Successful SM-3 weapons test offers missile defense opportunity

13. There’s no George Kennan in the Trump Administration

14. Who’s the next CIA director?

15. China says it will respond to US admiral visit to Taiwan

16. Trump's promise: US turns over weapons to Philippines

17. Trump's purge of the Defense Department couldn't come at a worse time

18. New regional trade deals to help China 'sustain its advantages' in global supply chains

19. After fresh VFA extension, US reaffirms commitment to Philippines' rights in WPS

20. Designed to deceive: do these people look real to you?

21. There's no easy fix for Australia's special forces culture

22. Why millions don't trust the election results, despite no evidence of widespread fraud: experts

23. Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell says mandatory helmet cameras for special forces a 'good idea'

24. Hybrid war

 

1. Righting the course for America’s special operators

War On the Rocks · Mark E. Mitchell & Doug Livermore · November 23, 2020

An important essay explaining the Acting SECDEF's recent action on Special Operations by two people from the inside who know more about this action than anyone.

 

2. U.S. Navy admiral makes unannounced visit to Taiwan, sources say

Reuters · Yimou Lee & Phil Stewart · November 23, 2020

 

3. Biden chooses Antony Blinken, defender of global alliances, as Secretary of State

New York Times · Lara Jakes, Michael Crowley, & David E. Sanger · November 22, 2020

Alliances are a critical component of US national power.

 

4. US only 'marginally' ready for great power fight, new assessment finds

Military.com · Richard Sisk · November 22, 2020

A follow-up article on the Heritage Foundation report.

 

5. Pentagon to impose new coronavirus restrictions

Hill · Ellen Mitchell · November 20, 2020

 

6. International business needs grand strategy

Real Clear Defense · Michael Hochberg & Leonard Hochberg · November 21, 2020

I thought the international business grand strategy was to protect their shareholder's investment.

Here is the link to the report.

 

7. US special operators and Army artillerymen flex muscles in groundbreaking Black Sea drill

Stars & Stripes · John Vandiver & Immanuel Johnson · November 20, 2020

Use the right forces for the right missions.

 

8. Exit as voice: the silence of the flags

Strategy Bridge · Yvonne Chiu · November 23, 2020

A discussion of ethics (which we cannot discuss enough).

 

9. Experts tell lawmakers rapid Afghanistan withdrawal is a recipe for another terror attack

Military Times · Meghann Myers & Joe Gould · November 20, 2020

 

10. Bring US operational training and experimentation into the 21st century

Defense News · Thomas G. Mahnken & Regan Copple · November 23, 2020

 

11. America’s elite universities hide contributions from world’s worst human-rights abusers

National Review · Zachary Evans · November 23, 2020

 

12. Successful SM-3 weapons test offers missile defense opportunity

Defense News · Bradley Bowman & Behnam Ben Taleblu · November 21, 2020

 

13. There’s no George Kennan in the Trump Administration

Bloomberg · Hal Brands · November 22, 2020

 

14. Who’s the next CIA Director?

SpyTalk · Jeff Stein · November 22, 2020

More speculation.

 

15. China says it will respond to US admiral visit to Taiwan

Edge Markets · Yew Lun Tian · November 23, 2020

Curious minds want to know: what kind of response?

 

16. Trump's promise: US turns over weapons to Philippines

PhilStar Global · Patricia Lourdes Viray · November 23, 2020

So, we are going to use TOW missiles to fight terrorists in Mindanao?

 

17. Trump's purge of the Defense Department couldn't come at a worse time

National Interest · Arie Perliger · November 22, 2020

 

18. New regional trade deals to help China 'sustain its advantages' in global supply chains

CNBC · Evelyn Cheng · November 23, 2020

So, we won't be decoupling?

 

19. After fresh VFA extension, US reaffirms commitment to Philippines' rights in WPS

PhilStar Global · Patricia Lourdes Viray · November 23, 2020

 

20. Designed to deceive: do these people look real to you?

New York Times · Jeremy White · November 21, 2020

A fascinating article. You have to go to the web site to experience the Ai and the face changes.

 

21. There's no easy fix for Australia's special forces culture

Defense One · Damian Powell · November 22, 2020

 

22. Why millions don't trust the election results, despite no evidence of widespread fraud: experts

ABC News · Fergal Gallagher · November 22, 2020

 

23. Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell says mandatory helmet cameras for special forces a 'good idea'

ABC · Melissa Clarke · November 22, 2020

This is coming for all. I have heard this discussed for a number of years.

 

24. Hybrid war

International News · Dr Farrukh Saleem · November 22, 2020

A view from Pakistan.

 

“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”

- Sun Tzu

"If you give a man the correct information for seven years, he may believe the incorrect information on the first day of the eighth year when it is necessary, from your point of view, that he should do so. Your first job is to build the credibility and the authenticity of your propaganda, and persuade the enemy to trust you although you are his enemy.”

  - A Psychological Warfare Casebook Operations Research Office, Johns Hopkins University   Baltimore (1958)

"There are four kinds of people in this world: those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; those who wonder what happened; those who don’t know that anything happened! I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be first on that list.”

- Mary Kay Ash

News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Duncan Moore.

1. Defense chief vows to safeguard peace with strength on N.K. attack anniversary

2. N. Korea 'expanding weapons factory'

3. U.S. security advisor says Korea-U.S. ties will remain strong 'whoever the president is'

4. Unification minister says breakthrough in inter-Korean ties could come 'sooner than expected'

5. N. Korean authorities bust students at Pyongyang Medical University for "anti-socialist activity"

6. After a decade, memorial planned for Yeonpyeong

7. South Korea seeks to reignite inter-Korean projects

8. Will Kim Jong-Un attend Tokyo Olympics?

9. N. Korea reiterates ‘self-help’ in antivirus effort

10. Moon's approval rating drops over policy failures

11. iPhone 12 mostly made with Korean parts

12. Japan to brief Korea on radioactive water release

13. 'Rally of Hope' draws 1 million attendees seeking peace for Korean peninsula

 

1. Defense chief vows to safeguard peace with strength on N.K. attack anniversary

Yonhap News Agency · 최수향 · November 23, 2020

We should remember this provocation 10 years ago. As I recall, I think originally this was supposed to be attributed to Kim Jong-Un as kind of his coming out event, demonstrating his supposed military prowess to establish his legitimacy. But there was no follow-through on this myth, probably because the Propaganda and Agitation Department understood the potential international blowback.

 

2. N. Korea ‘expanding weapons factory'

Chosun Ilbo · Yang Seung-sik · November 23, 2020

MIlitary modernization. I would like to know how much of the military equipment we observed in the October 10 parade has actually been fielded to operational units.

And the Chosun Ilbo needs to get a better qualified military advisor. I doubt the North has fielded an ATACMS. ATACMS is a US missile system and I doubt the North got a hold of a US system (though they did get the MD 500 helicopters many years ago). They should have written an "ATACMS-like" system.

 

3. U.S. security advisor says Korea-U.S. ties will remain strong 'whoever the president is'

Yonhap News Agency · 송상호 · November 23, 2020

The NSA is correct. As I have written many times, there will be no success for the ROK or the US toward North Korea without a rock-solid ROK/US alliance.

 

4. Unification minister says breakthrough in inter-Korean ties could come ‘sooner than expected’

Yonhap News Agency · 이원주 · November 23, 2020

The buried lede: Minister Lee will press the US for "flexibility" in North Korean sanctions, meaning he wants them lifted. "Flexibility" is code for sanctions relief for North Korea.

 

5. N. Korean authorities bust students at Pyongyang Medical University for "anti-socialist activity"

Daily NK · Ha Yoon Ah · November 23, 2020

The solution to every problem in North Korea is more ideological training and indoctrination.

 

6. After a decade, memorial planned for Yeonpyeong

Korea Joong Ang Daily · Kim Sang-Jin, Park Yong-Han, & Shim Kyu-Seok · November 23, 2020

 

7. South Korea seeks to reignite inter-Korean projects

Korea Times · Kang Seung-woo · November 23, 2020

This forecasts the type of pressure the Moon administration may try to put on the new US administration to push for sanctions relief for the North. To do so would mean a huge victory for the regime's political warfare campaign and long con.

 

8. Will Kim Jong-Un attend Tokyo Olympics?

Korea Times · Do Je-hae · November 23, 2020

I doubt it. Wishful thinking. Of course, if he does travel to Japan perhaps the Japanese would arrest him over the abduction issue (probably a poor attempt at humor.)

 

9. N. Korea reiterates ‘self-help’ in antivirus effort

Korea Herald · Choi Si-young · November 23, 2020

What is the name of the North Korea coronavirus vaccine? Juche.

Note also the buried lede about the poor efforts by the regime for disaster recovery and rebuilding homes.

 

10. Moon's approval rating drops over policy failures

Korea Times · Jung Da-min · November 23, 2020

This is the normal pattern as Korean presidents near the end of their single five-year term.

 

11. iPhone 12 mostly made with Korean parts

Chosun Ilbo · Oh Rora · November 23, 2020

Some decoupling from China?

 

12. Japan to brief Korea on radioactive water release

Chosun Ilbo · Roh Suk-jo · November 23, 2020

 

13. 'Rally of Hope' draws 1 million attendees seeking peace for Korean peninsula

Washington Times · Ben Wolfgang · November 22, 2020

 

“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”

- Sun Tzu

"If you give a man the correct information for seven years, he may believe the incorrect information on the first day of the eighth year when it is necessary, from your point of view, that he should do so. Your first job is to build the credibility and the authenticity of your propaganda, and persuade the enemy to trust you although you are his enemy.”

  - A Psychological Warfare Casebook, Operations Research Office, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (1958)

"There are four kinds of people in this world: those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; those who wonder what happened; those who don’t know that anything happened! I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be first on that list.”

- Mary Kay Ash

News and Commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and Published by Riley Murray.

 

1. US to withdraw from Open Skies Treaty with Russia: officials

2. Trump Should Act Against Russia’s Use of Chemical Weapons

3. What If China Launched a Surprise Attack on the U.S. Military?

4. Time for Donald Trump to Visit Taiwan

5. Clickbait and Switch: How Junk News Sites Influence Young People

6. UK raises pressure on China with carrier deployment to Asia

7. China’s major Indo-Pacific trade deal a 'wake-up call' for US and Europe

8. Why Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Will Fail: CNBC’s Cramer Answers - Chaos!

9. China Has Made Drone Warfare Global

10. State Department Says Anti-American Educators Undermine U.S. Efforts to Counter China

11. Trump Exits Open Skies Treaty, Moves to Discard Observation Planes

12. Hackers 'try to steal Covid vaccine secrets in intellectual property war'

13. Total Number of U.S. Covid-19 Cases Tops 12 Million

14. Trump Forfeits America’s Slice Of $200 Billion In Global GDP On His Way Out The Door

15. Thousands march in Taiwan against US pork imports

16. US provides $17M in humanitarian aid as Hurricane Iota death toll rises

17. Joe Biden’s Silence on Ending the Drone Wars

18. Mapping China's Tech Giants

19. WH's Navarro: 'Now' Is Time For Trump To Crack Down On China

20. 700,000 and Counting: Why the TOW Missile System Is So Deadly

21. Will American history forget the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?

22. What The U.S. Election Meltdown Looks Like to Other Countries

23. The oldest Chinese restaurant in America

 

1. US to withdraw from Open Skies Treaty with Russia: officials

foxnews.com · by Lucia I. Suarez Sang, Lucas Tomlinson

 

2. Trump Should Act Against Russia’s Use of Chemical Weapons

defenseone.com · by Gregory D. Koblentz and Andrea Stricker – 20 November 2020

Conclusion: "The outgoing administration should impose appropriate sanctions right away to send a clear message to the Kremlin that the entire U.S. leadership considers Moscow’s actions to be unconscionable. Only a unified response at home and solidarity with our allies abroad will be able to match the brazenness of Russia’s violations of international law and norms against these barbaric weapons."

 

3. What If China Launched a Surprise Attack on the U.S. Military?

The National Interest · by David Axe · November 22, 2020

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.”

“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

- Sun Tzu

 

4. Time for Donald Trump to Visit Taiwan

The National Interest · by Christian Whiton · November 21, 2020

That would be quite an event though I would not bet on it.

Conclusion: "In effect, the Taiwanese would be reminding us of who we are: that contrary to the moaning and lies of the progressive Left, America has a remarkable and enduring history of freedom and of helping others defend freedom. And we would be reminding China’s illegitimate government that we have its number. Get on a plane and go."

 

5. Clickbait and Switch: How Junk News Sites Influence Young People

dailywire.com · November 21, 2020

More on the culture wars. I have been checking out some of the news my college age daughter is watching on You Tube and there are actually some pretty good shows that actually report the news without injecting too much opinion into the reporting.

Two interesting excerpts:

Conservatives think their children become progressive because of their professors. But it’s often because of the content produced by BuzzFeed, NowThis and other sites like them. College kids don’t love their homework or going to class, but they do love reading stories on their phones.

Conservatives and libertarians must remember that political technology is philosophically neutral. Rather than trying to force apolitical college kids to read bland policy papers or watch overtly ideological videos, we need to shift the fight to the most important battlefield there is—the culture.

 

6.  UK raises pressure on China with carrier deployment to Asia

asia.nikkei.com- by Yusuke Nakajima – 21 November 2020

 

7. China’s major Indo-Pacific trade deal a 'wake-up call' for US and Europe

Washington Examiner · by Joel Gehrke · November 21, 2020

Excerpt:

China has attempted to use economic incentives and pressure to discourage the U.S. and other democratic nations, especially in Europe, from establishing a united front against Beijing. Politicians in Germany, the economic heavyweight in the European Union, have placed a premium on economic ties with China, but they may be wearing thin.

“China is absolutely an enemy to the EU’s ideas about the European way of life, to how we define what our society should look like,” Weber told the South China Morning Post.

China’s major Indo-Pacific trade deal a 'wake-up call' for US and Europe

 

8. Why Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Will Fail: CNBC’s Cramer Answers - Chaos!

Forbes · by Steve Brozak · November 21, 2020

I hope this is the red team analysis (and "pre-mortem" See page 73 here The Red team Handbook: https://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/documents/ufmcs/The_Red_Team_Handbook.pdf ) and we can avoid these errors. 

Conclusion:

By definition, any complex activity that takes place on a national scale and requires military-like precision carries an element of danger. If anticipated, much of the danger can be ameliorated or avoided. It is also likely that no matter how thorough the planning is, there will be unexpected events once the project is initiated, therefore, flexibility and adaptability also will be important requirements for efficient and effective nationwide distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine.

In the end the lives and well-being of all Americans is being placed on the development, manufacture, delivery and administration of vaccines to control Covid-19. This effort must be conducted in a carefully planned and professionally implemented manner and as Jim Cramer pointed out, there are no plans, hence rather than a predictably reliable roll-out, chaos should be expected. We all remember the hackneyed but true adage - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

 

9. China Has Made Drone Warfare Global

Foreign Affairs · by Michael C. Horowitz, Joshua A. Schwartz, and Matthew Fuhrmann · November 20, 2020

Interesting conclusion:

Some research even suggests that the use of drones could contribute to stability in some cases. Experimental war games have demonstrated that military decision-makers are more likely to favor aggressive military responses to the downing of an inhabited aircraft than they are to that of an uninhabited drone. For a real-world example, consider President Trump’s decision on June 19 to back down from launching airstrikes against Iran after it downed a $130 million RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone. To justify his decision, Trump tweeted that retaliating with airstrikes was “not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone.”

While the long-term impact of this military technology is not yet known, it is clear that the genie is out of the bottle, and armed drones are proliferating rapidly. Big questions about drone proliferation thus loom for an incoming Biden administration. A President Joe Biden could restore Obama-era restrictions on U.S. drone exports, once again ceding the market to China. A Biden administration might, conversely, decide there is no turning back, as drones become a more regular feature of warfare. Or it could chart a middle path, restoring a somewhat higher level of scrutiny for drone exports while making them more accessible to close allies, especially democracies.

 

10. State Department Says Anti-American Educators Undermine U.S. Efforts to Counter China

freebeacon.com · by Jack Beyrer · November 21, 2020

Excerpts:

Experts also spoke to the strength of the State Department’s efforts. Foundation for Defense of Democracies defense experts Bradley Bowman and Nathan Picarsic applauded the document for laying out the stakes of the conflict.

"The Policy Planning Staff at the Department of State deserves credit for undertaking such an ambitious paper focused on the People’s Republic of China—the greatest threat that the United States and fellow democracies confront," Bowman told the Free Beacon. "As the paper notes, the staff is trying to ‘step back and take a long-term view.' Too few in the U.S. government attempt to do that, and such an effort is sorely needed."

Picarsic called Beijing's rise "a generational challenge." He emphasized that America's cooperation with European and Asian partners across several areas will determine how Washington stands up to China.

"The hard work ahead will be determined by those on the ground and in the trenches of 21st-century battlegrounds spanning ideological, technological, economic, and military domains," Picarsic said.

 

11. Trump Exits Open Skies Treaty, Moves to Discard Observation Planes

WSJ · by Michael R. Gordon

The buried lede: "In a move that could complicate President-elect Joe Biden’s options if he sought to re-enter the agreement, the Trump administration is taking steps to dispose of the two specially equipped OC-135B planes the U.S. has used to carry out Open Skies flights."

 

12. Hackers 'try to steal Covid vaccine secrets in intellectual property war'

The Guardian · by Dan Sabbagh · November 22, 2020

This is what revisionist and rogue powers do.

 

13. Total Number of U.S. Covid-19 Cases Tops 12 Million

WSJ · by Esther Fung

A sad development.

 

14. Trump Forfeits America’s Slice Of $200 Billion In Global GDP On His Way Out The Door

Forbes · by William Pesek · November 21, 2020

Ouch!

 

15. Thousands march in Taiwan against US pork imports

AP · November 22, 2020

 

16. US provides $17M in humanitarian aid as Hurricane Iota death toll rises

foxnews.com · by James Rogers | Fox News

 

17. Joe Biden’s Silence on Ending the Drone Wars

The Intercept · by Elise Swain · November 22, 2020

The buried lede - reasserting Article I of the Constitution.

Conclusion:

“I think there is a genuine bipartisan consensus to be built around this idea of Congress reasserting its Article I authority over war,” Duss said, referring to the constitutional provisions that give Congress sole power to declare war. “In following through on the commitment to end the forever war, that’s something that could be very useful for the Biden administration to focus on.”

Ending the wars is a broadly popular idea, but different actors see different ways of accomplishing the goal. Critics of the U.S.’s assassination programs, though, warn of approaches that would bring troops home while leaving the shadowy targeted killing programs in place. Pradhan said, “There is no credibility to ending a war if you continue these strikes without accountability.”

 

18.  Mapping China's Tech Giants

 The 28 page report can be downloaded here: https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ad-aspi/2019-05/Mapping%20China%27s%20technology%20giants.pdf?EINwiNpste_FojtgOPriHtlFSD2OD2tL

 

19. WH's Navarro: 'Now' Is Time For Trump To Crack Down On China

newsmax.com · by Cathy Burke · November 22, 2020

 

20. 700,000 and Counting: Why the TOW Missile System Is So Deadly

The National Interest · by Peter Suciu · November 21, 2020

The TOW has been around for a long time.  When I commanded Combat Support Company, 1-506th Infantry in Korea we had 18 TOW systems in three anti-tank platoons (plus the Scouts and 4.2 inch Mortars).  The last thing I did just before I left Korea and command in 1988 right after the Seoul Olympics was to conduct a night live fire training exercise in Story Impact area right alongside the DMZ.  We could never do anything like that today.

 

21. Will American history forget the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?

taskandpurpose.com · by Jeff Schogol

Excerpts:

The Forever Wars have been allowed to mull along for nearly 20 years because our elected officials, television news, and most of the American public have become completely apathetic to the consequences of having troops deployed in war zones.

These days, I swear to myself as I write about the latest troop drawdowns in Afghanistan and Iraq because I know that almost no one cares. It’s as if the past 19 years never happened.

To paraphrase President Abraham Lincoln: The world will little note nor long remember defense officials’ vapid statements about progress in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, but we should never forget that a generation of service members volunteered to go to war, and they kept fighting long after their government had ceased to care about the outcome.

 

22.  What The U.S. Election Meltdown Looks Like to Other Countries

Politico – 22 November 2020

We are still a nation founded on an idea and ideals.  The only such country in the world.  Our great American experiment works and will continue to work. Convince me otherwise.

 

23. The oldest Chinese restaurant in America

CBS News · November 22, 2020

So this is when (and where) it all started.

 

 

"In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack-the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers."

-Sun Tzu

 

"...there was no point in seeking to convert the intellectuals. For intellectuals   would never be converted and would anyway always yield to the stronger, 'and this will   always be the man in the street.' Arguments must therefore be crude, clear and forcible, and appeal to emotions and instincts, not the intellect. Truth was unimportant and   entirely subordinate to tactics and psychology...Hatred and contempt must be directed at   particular individuals."

-  H. Trevor-Roper (ed), The Goebbels Diaries, p. XX, cited in Regan, Geoffrey. 1987. Great   Military Disasters. New York: M. Evans and Company.

 

"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail. Without it   nothing can succeed. He who molds opinion is greater than he who enacts laws."

- President Abraham Lincoln

News and Commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and Published by Riley Murray.

 

1. North Korea Releases 7,000 Prisoners, Orders People to Provide for Them

2. North Korea Arrests Six Gold Smugglers Who Triggered Hyesan Lockdown

3. Human rights must not be 'trampled' in global rush for PPE, say MPs

4. US, UK Sourcing PPEs from Chinese Factories that Use North Korean Slave Labor, Report Says

5. USFK commander says capability of N. Korea's new weapons yet to be verified

6. New virus cases over 300 for 5th day, tougher antivirus curbs in offing

7. N. Korea calls for tighter border controls amid global COVID-19 resurgence

8. USFK skips publication of annual security report this year

9. No exit in sight from frayed Korea-Japan ties

10. N. Korea slams U.N. Security Council for taking issue with its space program

11. S. Korea, U.S. agree to boost space defense cooperation

12. Resumption of humanitarian aid may send 'good' message to N. Korea: Kurt Campbell

13. N. Korean laborers continue to earn foreign currency abroad

14. Kimchi Making at Home Was Going Out of Style. Rural Towns to the Rescue.

 

1. North Korea Releases 7,000 Prisoners, Orders People to Provide for Them

rfa.org – 20 November 2020

The first part of the headline might seem like a good thing.  But this article illustrates all that is wrong with the Kim family regime and how it treats the Korean people living in the north.

 

2. North Korea Arrests Six Gold Smugglers Who Triggered Hyesan Lockdown

rfa.org

Citizens, soldiers, security officers.  Another indicator we need to pay attention to.

Just as an aside there is no other media organization that can conduct this kind of reporting. We should be thankful for RFA and VOA.

 

3. Human rights must not be 'trampled' in global rush for PPE, say MPs

The Guardian · by Pete Pattisson · November 21, 2020

And I have to compliment the Guardian here also for revealing this.

 

4. US, UK Sourcing PPEs from Chinese Factories that Use North Korean Slave Labor, Report Says

ibtimes.sg · by Krishnendu Banerjee · November 21, 2020

 

5. USFK commander says capability of N. Korea's new weapons yet to be verified

en.yna.co.kr · by 최수향 · November 20, 2020

Absolutely correct.  I am sure our ISR has been surging to determine the capabilities of these weapons or even if they are in fact real and not mock-ups.  But we also should not discount them because north Korea has often surprised us with its advancements.

And to Yonhap, why don't you please refer to General Abrams as the Commander of the ROK/US CFC since that is the combined command belonging to both Korea and the US with the responsibility for deterrence and defense.

 

6. New virus cases over 300 for 5th day, tougher antivirus curbs in offing

en.yna.co.kr · by 주경돈 · November 22, 2020

 

7. N. Korea calls for tighter border controls amid global COVID-19 resurgence

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · November 22, 2020

Build the wall:

"Building a flawless blockade of barrier in preparation for the worsening global health pandemic is a critical issue in intensifying the antivirus campaign," the Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the ruling party, said Sunday.

"We must continue to maintain an ironclad barrier to protect the safety of our country and our people," it added.

Seriously, I think we must assume things are getting worse inside north Korea and it may be only a matter of time before COVID-19 gets out of control and then we will be on a path that may be worse than the Arduous March of the great famine of 1994-1996.

 

8. USFK skips publication of annual security report this year

en.yna.co.kr · by 오석민 · November 22, 2020

Damn. This is one of the most useful documents for understanding the current situation on the Korean peninsula.  I know it is a lot of work to put this together, but I find it very substantive, useful, and authoritative.

 

9. No exit in sight from frayed Korea-Japan ties

The Korea Times · November 20, 2020

This is one of the many problems: "However, the diplomatic source said the Suga Cabinet believes its ties with the Moon government cannot be restored without Korea's promise that the seized assets of Japanese companies would not be sold off."

 

10. N. Korea slams U.N. Security Council for taking issue with its space program

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · November 20, 2020

Admit nothing, deny everything, and make counter accusations.  There are some interesting counter accusations here.

 

11. S. Korea, U.S. agree to boost space defense cooperation

en.yna.co.kr · by 최수향 · November 22, 2020

Of course, this is what the north considers a double standard.

 

12. Resumption of humanitarian aid may send 'good' message to N. Korea: Kurt Campbell

en.yna.co.kr · by 변덕근 · November 21, 2020

With all due respect to someone who could be SECSTATE in the Biden administration (though he is not currently on any shortlists).  

The Kim family regime is not influenced by humanitarian aid.  At best the regime welcomes it because it reduces one headache for the regime. But it is not going to respond favorably in negotiations or even return to negotiations because of humanitarian aid. It will exploit any humanitarian aid by continuing to conduct political warfare and its long con.

 

13. N. Korean laborers continue to earn foreign currency abroad

dailynk.com – by Mun Dong Hui - November 20, 2020

Quality of meals?  Is that a real measure of effectiveness for human rights?

This is the real regime:

According to diplomatic source in China, North Korean authorities recently handed down an order to laborers dispatched to China. The order called for the workers to comply with quarantine guidelines even while overseas; for expatriate workers to take active part in the "movement to earn foreign currency" to "show concern for the difficult circumstances the country faces"; and, for workers in China to contribute their personal funds to the nation and people's economy during the so-called "80-day battle."

That is to say, the government is demanding that laborers donate their personal salaries to the Workers' Party as a show of loyalty.

 

14. Kimchi Making at Home Was Going Out of Style. Rural Towns to the Rescue.

The New York Times · by Choe Sang-Hun · November 21, 2020

Making Kimchi is a lot of work.  Cooking Korean food in general takes a lot of work.

 

"In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack-the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers."

-Sun Tzu

 

"...there was no point in seeking to convert the intellectuals. For intellectuals   would never be converted and would anyway always yield to the stronger, 'and this will   always be the man in the street.' Arguments must therefore be crude, clear and forcible, and appeal to emotions and instincts, not the intellect. Truth was unimportant and   entirely subordinate to tactics and psychology...Hatred and contempt must be directed at   particular individuals."

-  H. Trevor-Roper (ed), The Goebbels Diaries, p. XX, cited in Regan, Geoffrey. 1987. Great   Military Disasters. New York: M. Evans and Company.

 

"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail. Without it   nothing can succeed. He who molds opinion is greater than he who enacts laws."

- President Abraham Lincoln

This piece originally appeared on USIP.org.

Full Article: https://www.usip.org/publications/2020/11/best-hope-sustained-de-escalation-syria 

By Mona Yacoubian

As the conflict in Syria approaches its 10th anniversary, a holistic political settlement encompassing the entirety of the country is unlikely in the near to medium term. More than eight years of diplomatic initiatives have yielded only limited results. The two principal tracks—the Geneva and the Astana/Sochi processes—are running up against the complexity of the conflict and an emboldened Assad regime; neither process is sufficient on its own to generate momentum toward a lasting political settlement for the whole of Syria. However, creatively bridging these two processes could bring greater stability to those areas of Syria still beyond the Assad regime’s control, assuaging the suffering of some Syrians, and potentially serving as a building block for a longer-term settlement.

Barring a major strategic shift in diplomacy, developments on the ground could render both diplomatic efforts obsolete. Instead, negotiation efforts should pivot to develop innovative approaches to bridge the Geneva and Astana processes. This bridging effort would focus on consolidating fragile cease-fires in Syria’s northwest and northeast regions, and anchoring some semblance of stability in these areas through improved humanitarian access and enhancing local governance structures.

News and Commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and Published by Riley Murray.

 

1. It's Only a Matter of Time Before China Detains U.S. Executives

2. Blunt 2020 lessons for media, America

3. How to Defeat Disinformation

4. Biden and Flournoy Have Clashed Over Policy in Past

5. Taiwan Voices Confidence In Trade Deal With New U.S. Government

6. The Final Pandemic Surge Is Crashing Over America

7. Lockdown U-turn in Sweden as COVID-19 cases soar and herd immunity hopes falter

8. Coronavirus: why are Western countries like the US and Britain still not learning from Asia's success?

9. NATO Experiments With Deceptive Tactics to Lure Russian Hackers

10. Judge slaps down Trump appointee who has sought to reshape Voice of America and related agencies

11. New US Indo-Pacific fleet 'would be akin to grabbing China by the throat', analyst says

12. EXCLUSIVE: CIA Awards Secret Multibillion-Dollar Cloud Contract

13. Voice of America's 5 Months Under Trump CEO: Lawsuits, Bias Claims, And A Sex Scandal

14. Check Out These Navy Special Operators Deploying An Underwater Scout Drone

15. America's Elite Flying Unit That Made The Recent Long-Range Hostage Rescue In Africa Possible

 

1. It's Only a Matter of Time Before China Detains U.S. Executives

lawfareblog.com · by Bill Priestap and Holden Triplett · November 20, 2020

Beware.

Excerpts:

It is time for U.S. businesses to fully acknowledge the myriad risks and prepare accordingly. Such preparation could begin with determining whether the business possesses assets or capabilities sought by the PRC. Answering this type of question helps a business understand the severity of risk it faces. It is also imperative that businesses inform their employees of the risks associated with traveling to the PRC. And businesses need to develop a plan for how they'll respond if one of their employees is detained or arrested there.

While the brazen activities engaged in by PRC authorities may be shocking, they should not be surprising. This behavior is perfectly in line with the PRC government's long-standing practice of using intelligence and law enforcement organizations as tools of political and economic power. As the competition between the United States and the PRC continues to intensify, individuals will almost certainly be used as chips to be traded. Business travelers should be especially vigilant because they represent attractive targets. Highly visible and lightly protected, they can be detained simply to make a point-or as levers to extract highly valuable information from their companies.

 

2. Blunt 2020 lessons for media, America

Axios · by Jim VandeHei

An excellent short summary.  Journalists and media organizations: "Heal thyself."  

But we all also have a responsibility and we should heed the words in our National Security Strategy:

"A democracy is only as resilient as its people. An informed and engaged citizenry is the fundamental requirement for a free and resilient nation. For generations, our society has protected free press, free speech, and free thought. Today, actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies. Adversaries target media, political processes, financial networks, and personal data. The American public and private sectors must recognize this and work together to defend our way of life. No external threat can be allowed to shake our shared commitment to our values, undermine our system of government, or divide our Nation."

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf

 

3. How to Defeat Disinformation

Foreign Affairs – by Nina Jankowicz - November 19, 2020

One of the best private companies I have come across that focuses on recognizing, understanding, and providing tools for countering disinformation is Zignal labs.  Please check it out. https://zignallabs.com/

Conclusion: "Foreign adversaries and domestic disinformers failed to disrupt the 2020 election, but the country barely squeaked through. The Biden administration cannot afford to be complacent or myopic. The U.S. government has already spent four years refusing to address this growing crisis. Without a serious injection of urgency at the highest levels and an understanding that fighting disinformation starts with good governance, the chaos of the Trump era will prove to be the norm, not the exception."

 

4. Biden and Flournoy Have Clashed Over Policy in Past

Foreign Policy · by Michael Hirsh · November 20, 2020

Excerpts:

"You're right to foresee a possible difference of opinion between them. Their instincts are different," said David Kilcullen, a leading counterinsurgency expert who briefed Biden and other leading officials of the incoming Obama administration in 2009. "She was always more focused on engaging and trying to stabilize Afghanistan for broader geopolitical and humanitarian reasons, and he was focused on pulling out (with a CT figleaf)."

"That said, I don't think it's going to be a huge deal this time, largely because the horse has already bolted on Afghanistan. I am not privy to Michele's thinking at all, but from a straight strategy perspective I don't think she would see much alternative to a withdrawal, given the strategic realities of the campaign as it stands. And if she is picking her policy battles, this looks like a fairly forlorn hill to die on, this early in a new administration."

And this conclusion:

"Even if differences existed then I doubt they continue today," said retired Brig. Gen Jim Warner, a former senior Pentagon official. "Flournoy is the fastest and deepest learner I know. I wouldn't assume she holds the same opinions at this point as in the earlier Obama days. There were a lot of very smart and thoughtful people ... who preached variations of the COIN gospel." And who now admit they were wrong.

Flournoy appears to have a good relationship with Biden - in June 2016, when it was expected Hillary Clinton would win the presidency, Biden jokingly addressed Flournoy as "madame secretary" at a speech and added, "I'm writing a recommendation for her, you know." But the president-elect is also considering several other candidates as defense secretary, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a disabled Iraq vet, former homeland security secretary Jeh Johnson, who would become the first African American defense secretary; and retired Adm. William McRaven, who served as head of U.S. Special Operations Command and oversaw the missions that captured Saddam Hussein and killed Osama bin Laden.

 

5. Taiwan Voices Confidence In Trade Deal With New U.S. Government

news18.com · November 21, 2020

 

6. The Final Pandemic Surge Is Crashing Over America

defenseone.com · by Robinson Meyer

Yes, this is quite the paradox: Understanding the pandemic this week requires grasping two thoughts at once. First, the United States has never been closer to defeating the pandemic. Second, some of the country's most agonizing days still lie ahead.

 

7. Lockdown U-turn in Sweden as COVID-19 cases soar and herd immunity hopes falter

nationalpost.com – 17 November 2020

Herd immunity as a course of action???

 

8. Coronavirus: why are Western countries like the US and Britain still not learning from Asia's success?

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3110754/coronavirus-why-are-western-countries-us-and-britain-still-not - by John Power – 21 November 2020

We should reflect on this.

 

9. NATO Experiments With Deceptive Tactics to Lure Russian Hackers

defenseone.com · by Patrick Tucker

 

10. Judge slaps down Trump appointee who has sought to reshape Voice of America and related agencies

The Washington Post · November 21, 2020

Some good news.  I hope they fix the Visa issue. One of the journalists I work with from the Korean service is about to have to return to Korea if his Visa is not renewed. 

 

11. New US Indo-Pacific fleet 'would be akin to grabbing China by the throat', analyst says

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3110760/new-us-indo-pacific-fleet-would-be-akin-grabbing-china-throat

Well that is quite an analogy.  This is one form of competition.

 

12. EXCLUSIVE: CIA Awards Secret Multibillion-Dollar Cloud Contract

nextgov.com 

 

13. Voice of America's 5 Months Under Trump CEO: Lawsuits, Bias Claims, And A Sex Scandal

NPR · by David Folkenflik · November 20, 2020

I think you can reasonably assess there are some leadership issues at USAGM.

 

14. Check Out These Navy Special Operators Deploying An Underwater Scout Drone

thedrive.com · by Joseph Trevithick · November 20, 2020

 

15. America's Elite Flying Unit That Made The Recent Long-Range Hostage Rescue In Africa Possible

thedrive.com · by Jamie Hunter · November 20, 2020

An amazing capability that is key to special operations.

 

"Credibility is a condition of persuasion. Before you can make a man do what you say, you must make him believe what you say. A necessary condition for gaining his credence is that you do not permit him to catch you in lies. Hence, the constraint upon all propagandists to accurate reporting of matters which are subject to verification by the audience...Propaganda, to be effective, must be not only factually true, but credible."

- Sykewar, Daniel Lerner, George W. Stewart, NY., 1949.

 

"PSYOP is the most powerful weapon in the SOF inventory."

- General Carl Stiner, Former CINCSOC, 14 April 1993, speaking at the AUSA Symposium

 

"War does not belong in the realm of arts and sciences; rather it is part of   man's social existence...Politics, moreover, is the womb in which war develops."

- Carl von Clausewitz

News and Commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and Published by Riley Murray.

 

1.  Korea's "Berlin Wall" Must Fall

2. Treasury Sanctions Entities Involved in Exporting Workers from North Korea

3. Analyst: China intervened in U.S.-North Korea relations at turning point

4. UK sourced PPE from factories secretly using North Korean slave labour

5. Rethinking North Korea: How bad would it be to let Kim Jong Un keep his nuclear weapons?

6. She Helped South Korea in Its Time of Need. In the Pandemic, It Repaid Her.

7. [Newsmaker] UNICEF to spend $22.7 million on North Korean aid in 2021

8. Volatility in North Korea's Currency Trading: Does a Rising Won Mean Trouble Ahead, or Progress? 

 

1. Korea's "Berlin Wall" Must Fall

hrnkinsider.org · by Kim Myong

An important question: "This is why every November I have mixed feelings, thinking of a question that obsesses me: can the democratic revolution in East Europe, sparked by the fall of the Berlin Wall, be replicated in North Korea?'

This is an important essay.  If you only read one thing today, please read this essay. 

To complement this essay here are two videos very much worth watching from another escapee and friend of mine Hyun Seung Lee.

The reason why I defected from North Korea. (How the regime executed its people.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1UbstigiI4&t=321s

Why Aren't There Any Grassroots Movements in North Korea?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSCpH7QSE0M

 

2. Treasury Sanctions Entities Involved in Exporting Workers from North Korea

home.treasury.gov

Human rights and national security.  This is a good step.

 

3. Analyst: China intervened in U.S.-North Korea relations at turning point

upi.com

For those who think we can count on Chinese support on north Korea.

 

4. UK sourced PPE from factories secretly using North Korean slave labour

The Guardian · by Pete Pattisson · November 20, 2020

 

5. Rethinking North Korea: How bad would it be to let Kim Jong Un keep his nuclear weapons?

Washington Examiner · by Jamie McIntyre · November 20, 2020

Once we lower the goal post, KIm Jong-un will double down on his successful political warfare strategy.  Rather than give up the goal of denuclearization we need to expand our strategy and objectives and cope with, contain, and manage the situation until the "Korean question" can be resolved as that is the only way we will see an end to the nuclear threat and the regime's crimes against humanity.  We must base our strategy on the four pillars of deterrence, defense, denuclearization, and unification (D3U).

 

6. She Helped South Korea in Its Time of Need. In the Pandemic, It Repaid Her.

The New York Times · by Choe Sang-Hun · November 20, 2020

Korea and the US share interests and share values.  This is an example of our shared values.  And this is another example (in microcosm) of the fact that South Korea is the only nation to go from a major aid recipient to a major donor nation.

 

7. [Newsmaker] UNICEF to spend $22.7 million on North Korean aid in 2021

koreaherald.com · by Ko Jun-tae · November 20, 2020

 

8. Volatility in North Korea's Currency Trading: Does a Rising Won Mean Trouble Ahead, or Progress?

https://www.38north.org/2020/11/wbrown112020/ - by William Brown – 20 November 2020

Bill Brown is one of our nation's foremost experts on north Korea's economy.

 

"Credibility is a condition of persuasion. Before you can make a man do what you say, you must make him believe what you say. A necessary condition for gaining his credence is that you do not permit him to catch you in lies. Hence, the constraint upon all propagandists to accurate reporting of matters which are subject to verification by the audience...Propaganda, to be effective, must be not only factually true, but credible."

- Sykewar, Daniel Lerner, George W. Stewart, NY., 1949.

 

"PSYOP is the most powerful weapon in the SOF inventory."

- General Carl Stiner, Former CINCSOC, 14 April 1993, speaking at the AUSA Symposium

 

"War does not belong in the realm of arts and sciences; rather it is part of   man's social existence...Politics, moreover, is the womb in which war develops."

- Carl von Clausewitz