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

1. 9/11 was the 'defining moment' for soldier who will receive the Medal of Honor tomorrow

2. That day: veterans share where they were on Sept. 11, 2001

3.  This 9/11 anniversary arrives with the end of the war on al-Qaeda well in sight

4. 19 Years after 9/11, politicians need to stop overhyping threats

5. How United Flight 93 passengers fought back on 9/11

6. He watched a plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Then he braved flames and smoke to save lives.

7. Nineteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

8.  Who can win America's politics of humiliation?

9. Despite pandemic, the U.S. Army is in its best shape in a generation. Here's why.

10. Tomgram: Andrew Bacevich, what have they (and we) learned?

11. US lawmakers seek posthumous Medal of Honor for black D-Day medic

12. Russian hackers who disrupted 2016 election targeting political parties again, Microsoft says

13. What the Sturgis superspreader report actually says about Covid-19

14. What is China's strategy in the Senkaku Islands?

15. Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden opens up about the mission

16. College board corrupted by Chinese funding

17. Trump administration underplays intelligence on Alexei Navalny poisoning

18. Mothers for QAnon

19. Human rights could be the next US-China flashpoint

20. Not in my backyard: land-based missiles, democratic states, and Asia's conventional military balance

21. U.S. senator asks for CFIUS review of GNC purchase by Chinese company

22. The Kremlin's plot against democracy

23. How conspiracy theories are shaping the 2020 election - and shaking the foundation of American democracy

1. 9/11 was the 'defining moment' for soldier who will receive the Medal of Honor tomorrow

Army Times · by Kyle Rempfer · September 10, 2020

He will be honored today.

2. That day: veterans share where they were on Sept. 11, 2001

Military Times · by Sarah Sicard · September 11, 2020

3. This 9/11 anniversary arrives with the end of the war on al-Qaeda well in sight

Washington Post · by Christopher Miller · September 10, 2020

From retired Special Forces Colonel Christopher Miller, who is one of the NCTC Directors.

4. 19 Years after 9/11, politicians need to stop overhyping threats

Defense One · by Joshua A. Geltzer · September 10, 2020

Really? Overhyping? Surely, we have made many mistakes since 9-11 and we continue to make mistakes. But is minimizing the threats a way to prevent these mistakes? It is interesting that the author makes no mention of the National Security or National Defense Strategies. Does he think we have it right in those documents?

Then again, those documents were written by professionals and not politicians.

5. How United Flight 93 passengers fought back on 9/11

History.com · by Adam Janos

This is what Americans do. But we should ask if something like this would bridge the partisan divide (chasm) we have today? Would/could people on the right and left band together to defend our country the way these great American patriots did on 9/11?  Can we be inspired by their heroic efforts or will we continue to practice politics of humiliation as Friedman described it today and the politics of contempt as Arthur Brooks has described it?

6. He watched a plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Then he braved flames and smoke to save lives.

Task & Purpose · by Jeff Schogol · September 11, 2020

So many acts of heroism on this date.

7. Nineteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

United States Department of State · by Michael R. Pompeo · September 11, 2020

8. Who can win America's politics of humiliation?

New York Times · by Thomas L. Friedman · September 8, 2020

Food for thought. I see these acts of humiliation every day on my social media feeds from both sides.

9. Despite pandemic, the U.S. Army is in its best shape in a generation. Here's why.

Forbes · by Loren Thompson · September 10, 2020

Hmmm....

10. Tomgram: Andrew Bacevich, what have they (and we) learned?

TomDispatch.com · by Andrew Bacevich · September 10, 2020

A long and unusual read on the military not winning.  Bacevich can always be counted on for the most biting critiques of the US military. 

11. US lawmakers seek posthumous Medal of Honor for black D-Day medic

VOA · by Leslie Bonilla · September 9, 2020

Make this happen.

12. Russian hackers who disrupted 2016 election targeting political parties again, Microsoft says

Washington Post · by Ellen Nakashima & Josh Dawsey · September 10, 2020

This will be called the intellectually bankrupt term of fake news. This is a real threat.

13. What the Sturgis superspreader report actually says about Covid-19

Inverse · by Sarah Sloat · September 10, 2020

This report has stirred up a lot of controversy. This is an interesting analysis of that controversy and the report. And, of course, this report and its debunking of this report plays into the hands of the large segment of our population who are now anti-science and anti-expert and anti-intellectuals, which, of course, undermines trust in institutions, which will have long term political, health, and even national security implications.

14. What Is China's strategy in the Senkaku Islands?

War On the Rocks · by Alessio Patalano · September 10, 2020

15. Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden opens up about the mission

Daily Mail · by Claire Toureille · September 11, 2020

16. College Board Corrupted by Chinese Funding

NAS · by Rachelle Peterson · September 2, 2020

17. Trump administration underplays intelligence on Alexei Navalny poisoning

Washington Examiner · by Tom Rogan · September 10, 2020

North Korea and Russia are using nerve agents to assassinate their enemies. That cannot be denied and should not be "underplayed."

18. Mothers for QAnon

New York Times · by Annie Kelly · September 10, 2020

Again, I just cannot understand how anyone accepts the idiocy of these QAnon conspiracy theories.

19. Human rights could be the next US-China flashpoint

Telegraph · by Louis Ashworth · September 11, 2020

It is not already?

20. Not in my backyard: land-based missiles, democratic states, and Asia's conventional military balance

Brookings · by Frank A. Rose · September 10, 2020

This is our challenge for deterrence, countering A2AD and campaigning in Asia.

21. U.S. senator asks for CFIUS review of GNC purchase by Chinese company

Reuters · by Diane Bartz & Steve Orlofsky · September 10, 2020

Will they want to sell fentanyl at GNC?

22. The Kremlin's plot against democracy

Foreign Affairs · by Alina Polyakova · September 10, 2020

We, along with the Community of Democracies (not just the "west"), should be fighting with all our strength to defend against this "plot" and these attacks.

23. How conspiracy theories are shaping the 2020 election - and shaking the foundation of American democracy

Time · by Charlotte Alter · September 10, 2020

And we should be fighting against these idiotic conspiracy theories as well as they just feed into the hands of the Russians and Chinese and other adversaries, who seek to undermine the legitimacy of, if not destroy, democracies.

”On this day... 19 years (September 10th) ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.”

-Unknown

”When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.”

-Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”

-Author David Levithan

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

1. N. Korea showing no sign of 'lashing out' in near future: USFK chief

2. N. Korea showing no signs of rolling out new weapons system: USFK chief

3. Seoul, Washington agree to new working-level dialogue channel

4. Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China hold phone talks on stalled N.K. dialogue

5. Through the looking glass: Chinese open source assessments of North Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities

6. New virus cases under 200 for 9th day, S. Korea undecided on easing virus measures

7. Juche in the era of a pandemic

8. Both Trump, N. Korea could opt for 'October surprise': expert

9. How Washington can help bridge the gap between Seoul and Tokyo

10. N.K. paper says unity is 'most powerful weapon' against multiple challenges

11. Kim Yo Jong updates "greatness education" curriculum at preschools

12. Pyongyang might launch SLBM on the day of U.S. presidential election

13. Ballistic missile units given additional manpower, deploy new equipment

14. Intelligence looking into NK’s submarine missile launch: report

15. South Korea and Japan: resolving the comfort women Issue

16. North Korea covers up apartment collapse with 70 casualties after two typhoons hammer Wonsan

17. How Kim Jong Un ‘played’ Donald Trump

18. South Korea's geopolitical fear: getting stuck between China and America

19. The sorrows of young Kim Jong Un

1. N. Korea showing no sign of 'lashing out' in near future: USFK chief

Yonhap News Agency · by Byun Duk-kun · September 11, 2020

I hope he is right, and I tend to agree. However, we cannot know what is really in KIm Jong-Un's mind.  And, of course, the regime is masterful at denial and deception. We should pay close attention to the words of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command (the command which belongs equally to both the ROK and US).He said there is no sign - so again we need to keep in mind the North's deception capabilities.

2. N. Korea showing no signs of rolling out new weapons system: USFK chief

Yonhap News Agency · by bdk@yna.co.kr · September 10, 2020

Beware regime deception. Again, the Commander of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command chooses his words carefully.

3. Seoul, Washington agree to new working-level dialogue channel

Korea Joong Ang Daily · by Sarah Kim · September 11, 2020

Appears to be a positive step forward. As long as we have a codified process it is a good thing. I hope the Korean naysayers (primarily the appointees in the MOU) will be sent to their corners to shut up and color.

4. Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China hold phone talks on stalled N.K. dialogue

Yonhap News Agency · by elly@yna.co.kr · September 11, 2020

The ROK/US Alliance cannot count on Chinese cooperation for north Korean denuclearization.

5. Through the looking glass: Chinese open source assessments of North Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities

KEI · by Nathan Beauchamp–Mustafaga & Scott W. Harold · September 10, 2020

6. New virus cases under 200 for 9th day, S. Korea undecided on easing virus measures

Yonhap News Agency · by colin@yna.co.kr · September 11, 2020

Now is not the time to waffle. South Korea must be decisive.

7. Juche in the era of a pandemic

NK Hidden Gulag · by Benjamin Fu · September 10, 2020

Good summary analysis of the humanitarian situation in the North and the regime's bankrupt ideology.

8. Both Trump, N. Korea could opt for 'October surprise': expert

Yonhap News Agency · by julesyi@yna.co.kr · September 11, 2020

Maybe. But to what ends? What effects do they think they can achieve? And, of course, the more we talk about an October surprise, the less of a surprise it might be.

9. How Washington can help bridge the gap between Seoul and Tokyo

FDD · by Mathew Ha · September 10, 2020

From my colleague Mathew Ha.

Yes, Washington can help, but I believe it will still be up to both Korean and Japanese leaders to exercise decisive leadership and commit to putting national security and national prosperity first, while trying to manage the historical issues.

10. N.K. paper says unity is 'most powerful weapon' against multiple challenges

Yonhap News Agency · by kokobj@yna.co.kr · September 11, 2020

I am reminded of an RI at Ranger School, Sergeant Pugh, who used to bellow out on the PT stand, "False motivation will get you nowhere."

We should remind North Korea that false unity will not work.

11. Kim Yo Jong updates "greatness education" curriculum at preschools

Daily NK · by Kim Yoo Jin · September 11, 2020

Make North Korea great again? Seriously, note that it is not about the greatness of North Korea, it is only about instilling loyalty in the Kim family regime.

12. Pyongyang might launch SLBM on the day of U.S. presidential election

Dong-A Ilbo · by San-Ho Yun · September 11, 2020

What effect would it have on the day of election? What effect would the regime think it could achieve?

13. Ballistic missile units given additional manpower, deploy new equipment

Daily NK · by Jeong Tae Joo · September 11, 2020

Now these are potential indicators.

14. Intelligence looking into NK’s submarine missile launch: report

Korea Herald · by Choi Si-young · September 11, 2020

15. South Korea and Japan: Resolving the Comfort Women Issue

Diplomat · by Naoko Kumagai · September 10, 2020

Empathy is helpful, but decisive national leadership on both sides is key. And then it can only be managed as it will likely never be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

16. North Korea covers up apartment collapse with 70 casualties after two typhoons hammer Wonsan

Radio Free Asia · by Yonhap News · September 10, 2020

Reporting you can only get from RFA and VOA. And remember: this information is broadcast into North Korea to inform the Korean people living in the North because this information is not reported in the party controlled media.

17. How Kim Jong Un ‘played’ Donald Trump

Daily Beast · by Donald Kirk · September 11, 2020

Sure, there is a lot that can be criticized. But there is one thing we should keep in mind that the press and the pundits do not emphasize. The fact that Trump and Moon have not lifted sanctions is the best indication that they have not been played. And Kim's failure to play them and get sanctions relief after he raised expectations among the elite and military that he could play them has put him under enormous internal pressure in Pyongyang.

18. South Korea's geopolitical fear: getting stuck between China and America

National Interest · by Mark Episkopos · September 10, 2020

A shrimp among whales. And when whales wrestle, shrimp die. 

This is a very real fear among Koreans. We need to understand and respect this and help alleviate Korean fears.

19. The sorrows of young Kim Jong Un

Foreign Policy · by Michael Hirsh · September 10, 2020

I am now coming to regret having ordered Woodward's new book. I did so to read the letters between Kim and trump. But with all the reporting on the book it seems like reporters have revealed every key point in the book about Korea and other issues. We may not need to read the book. And there are too many reports to send out.

”On this day... 19 years (September 10th) ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.”

-Unknown

”When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.”

-Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”

-Author David Levithan

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

1. 9/11 was the 'defining moment' for soldier who will receive the Medal of Honor tomorrow

2. That day: Veterans share where they were on Sept. 11, 2001

3.  Opinion | This 9/11 anniversary arrives with the end of the war on al-Qaeda well in sight

4. 19 Years After 9/11, Politicians Need to Stop Overhyping Threats

5. How United Flight 93 Passengers Fought Back on 9/11

6. He watched a plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Then he braved flames and smoke to save lives

7. Nineteenth Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks - United States Department of State

8.  Opinion | Who Can Win America's Politics of Humiliation?

9. Despite Pandemic, The U.S. Army Is In Its Best Shape In A Generation. Here's Why.

10. Tomgram: Andrew Bacevich, What Have They (and We) Learned?

11. US Lawmakers Seek Posthumous Medal of Honor for Black D-Day Medic

12. Russian hackers who disrupted 2016 election targeting political parties again, Microsoft says

13. What the Sturgis superspreader report actually says about Covid-19

14. What Is China's Strategy in the Senkaku Islands?

15. Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden opens up about the mission

16. College Board Corrupted by Chinese Funding

17. Trump administration underplays intelligence on Alexei Navalny poisoning

18. Opinion | Mothers for QAnon

19. Human rights could be the next US-China flashpoint

20. Not in my backyard: Land-based missiles, democratic states, and Asia's conventional military balance

21. U.S. senator asks for CFIUS review of GNC purchase by Chinese company

22. The Kremlin's Plot Against Democracy

23. How Conspiracy Theories Are Shaping the 2020 Election - and Shaking the Foundation of American Democracy

1. 9/11 was the 'defining moment' for soldier who will receive the Medal of Honor tomorrow

armytimes.com · by Kyle Rempfer · September 10, 2020

He will be honored today.

2. That day: Veterans share where they were on Sept. 11, 2001

militarytimes.com · by Sarah Sicard · September 11, 2020

3. Opinion | This 9/11 anniversary arrives with the end of the war on al-Qaeda well in sight

The Washington Post · by Christopher Miller · September 10, 2020

From retired Special Forces Colonel Christopher Miller who is one the NCTC Director.

4. 19 Years After 9/11, Politicians Need to Stop Overhyping Threats

defenseone.com · by Joshua A. Geltzer

Really? Overhyping?  Surely we have made many mistake since 9-11 and we continue to make mistakes.  But is minimizing the threats a way to prevent these mistakes?  It is interesting the author makes no mention of the National Security or National Defense Strategies. Does he think we have it right in those documents?

Then again those documents were written by professionals and not politicians.

5. How United Flight 93 Passengers Fought Back on 9/11

history.com · by Adam Janos

This is what Americans do.  But we should ask if something like this would bridge the partisan divide (chasm) we have today? Would/could people on the right and left band together to defend our country the way these great American patriots did on 9/11?   Can we be inspired by their heroic efforts or will we continue to practice politics of humiliation as Friedman described it today and the politics of contempt  as Arthur Brooks has described it?

6. He watched a plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Then he braved flames and smoke to save lives

taskandpurpose.com · by Jeff Schogol

So many acts of heroism on this date.

7. Nineteenth Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks - United States Department of State

state.gov · by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State · September 8, 2020

8. Opinion | Who Can Win America's Politics of Humiliation?

The New York Times · by Thomas L. Friedman · September 8, 2020

Food for thought.  I see these acts of humiliation every day on my social media feeds from both sides.

9. Despite Pandemic, The U.S. Army Is In Its Best Shape In A Generation. Here's Why.

Forbes · by Loren Thompson · September 10, 2020

Hmmm....

10. Tomgram: Andrew Bacevich, What Have They (and We) Learned?

Tom Dispatch · by Andrew Bacevich · by September 10, 2020

A long and unusual read on the military not winning.  Bacevich can always be counted on for the most biting critiques of the US military.  

11. US Lawmakers Seek Posthumous Medal of Honor for Black D-Day Medic

voanews.com · by Associated Press

Make this happen.

12. Russian hackers who disrupted 2016 election targeting political parties again, Microsoft says

The Washington Post · by Jay Greene, Matt Viser and Isaac Stanley-Becker · September 10, 2020

This will be called the intellectually bankrupt term of fake news. This is a real threat.

13. What the Sturgis superspreader report actually says about Covid-19

inverse.com · by Sarah Sloat

This report has stirred up a lot of controversy.  This is an interesting analysis of that controversy and the report.  And of course this report and its debunking of this report plays into the hands of the large segment of our population who are now anti-science and anti-expert and anti-intellectuals which of course undermines trust in institutions which will have long term political, health, and even national security implications.

14. What Is China's Strategy in the Senkaku Islands?

warontherocks.com · by Alessio Patalano · September 10, 2020

Conclusion:

“Yoshihide Suga, the leading contender to replace Shinzo Abe as Japan's prime minister, has the support of influential factions that welcome a steady relationship with Beijing. Some Chinese observers have expressed similar positive views about Suga. Whoever becomes prime minister will certainly inherit a fast-deteriorating situation, and should take the lead in resuming discussions with Beijing for a crisis management and prevention mechanism applicable to their coast guards. This might help a delaying strategy, though the air and maritime mechanisms already in place have thus far elicited limited success. Indeed, realizing that slowing the Chinese advance in the Senkakus may no longer suffice as a strategy may be the greatest challenge facing post-Abe Japan.”

15.  Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden opens up about the mission

Daily Mail · by Claire Toureille · September 11, 2020

Navy SEAL who helped kill Osama bin Laden reveals how the harrowing memory of people jumping out of the World Trade Center on 9/11 gave him the courage to go through with the mission he didn't expect to survive

• Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill has opened up about the fateful May 2011 mission 
• He was a member of the team who took down terrorist leader Osama bin Laden 
• The al-Qaeda architect of the 9/11 attacks was hiding in Abbottabad, Pakistan
• O'Neill admitted that he thought he would not come back from the risky mission
• Said the memory of people jumping off the World Trade Center motivated him 

16. College Board Corrupted by Chinese Funding

nas.org

The full report can be accessed here. 

17. Trump administration underplays intelligence on Alexei Navalny poisoning

Washington Examiner · by Tom Rogan · September 10, 2020

north Korea and Russia are using nerve agents to assassinate their enemies.  That cannot be denied and should not be "underplayed."

18. Opinion | Mothers for QAnon

The New York Times · by Annie Kelly · September 10, 2020

Again, I just cannot understand how anyone accepts the idiocy of these QAnon conspiracy theories. 

19. Human rights could be the next US-China flashpoint

The Telegraph · by Louis Ashworth

It is not already?

20. Not in my backyard: Land-based missiles, democratic states, and Asia's conventional military balance

The Brookings Institution · by Frank A. Rose · September 10, 2020

This is our challenge for deterrence, countering A2AD and campaigning in Asia.

21. U.S. senator asks for CFIUS review of GNC purchase by Chinese company

ca.reuters.com · by Diane Bartz

Will they want to sell fentanyl at GNC?

22. The Kremlin's Plot Against Democracy

Foreign Affairs · by Alina Polyakova · September 10, 2020

We, along with the Community of  Democracies (not just the "west") should be fighting with all our strength to defend against this "plot" and these attacks.

23. How Conspiracy Theories Are Shaping the 2020 Election - and Shaking the Foundation of American Democracy

TIME · by charlotte.alter@time.com

And we should be fighting against these idiotic conspiracy theories as well as they just feed into the hands of the Russians and Chinese and other adversaries who seek to undermine the legitimacy if not destroy democracies. 

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

"On this day... 19 years (September 10th) ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted."

-Unknown

"When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We're not about what happened on 9/11. We're about what happened on 9/12."
-Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You

"What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we've never met."
-Author David Levithan

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

1. N. Korea showing no sign of 'lashing out' in near future: USFK chief

2. N. Korea showing no signs of rolling out new weapons system: USFK chief

3.  Seoul, Washington agree to new working-level dialogue channel

4. Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China hold phone talks on stalled N.K. dialogue

5. Through The Looking Glass: Chinese Open Source Assessments Of North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Capabilities

6. New virus cases under 200 for 9th day, S. Korea undecided on easing virus measures

7. Juche in the Era of a Pandemic

8. Both Trump, N. Korea could opt for 'October Surprise': expert

9. FDD | How Washington Can Help Bridge the Gap Between Seoul and Tokyo

10. N.K. paper says unity is 'most powerful weapon' against multiple challenges

11. Kim Yo Jong updates "Greatness Education" curriculum at preschools

12. Pyongyang might launch SLBM on the day of U.S. presidential election

13. Ballistic missile units given additional manpower, deploy new equipment (north Korea)

14. Intelligence looking into NK’s submarine missile launch: report

15. South Korea and Japan: Resolving the Comfort Women Issue

16. North Korea Covers Up Apartment Collapse With 70 Casualties After Two Typhoons Hammer Wonsan

17. How Kim Jong Un ‘Played’ Donald Trump

18. South Korea's Geopolitical Fear: Getting Stuck Between China and America

19. The Sorrows of Young Kim Jong Un

1. N. Korea showing no sign of 'lashing out' in near future: USFK chief

en.yna.co.kr · by 변덕근 · September 11, 2020

I hope he is right and I tend to agree. However, we cannot know what is really in KIm Jong-un's mind.  And of course the regime is masterful at denial and deception. We should pay close attention to the words of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command (the command which belongs equally to both the ROK and US).  He said there is no sign - so again we need to keep in mind the north's deception capabilities. 

2. N. Korea showing no signs of rolling out new weapons system: USFK chief

en.yna.co.kr · by 변덕근 · September 10, 2020

Beware regime deception.  Again, the Commander of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command chooses his words carefully.

3. Seoul, Washington agree to new working-level dialogue channel

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com· by Sarah Kim

Appears to be a positive step forward.  As long as we have a codified process, it is a good thing.  I hope the Korean naysayers (primarily the appointees in the MOU) will be sent to their corners to shut up and color.

4. Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China hold phone talks on stalled N.K. dialogue

en.yna.co.kr · by 김승연 · September 10, 2020

The ROK/US Alliance cannot count on Chinese cooperation for north Korean denuclearization.

5. Through The Looking Glass: Chinese Open Source Assessments Of North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Capabilities

Nathan Beauchamp–Mustafaga and Scott W. Harold

The 19 page report can be downloaded here. 

ABSTRACT 

“North Korea’s ballistic missile program has long been a concern for the United States, South Korea, and Japan. Foreign researchers have increasingly leveraged advanced open source intelligence technology and cooperated across countries to track the North’s developments over the last 25 years. But one country has been left out – China. Are there open source Chinese analyses of DPRK ballistic missiles, do they align with U.S. assessments, and is there anything for other researchers to gain from reading these analyses? This report examines Chinese assessments of North Korean ballistic missile capabilities between 1998 and 2017. We find that Chinese analysts have paid growing attention to the North’s missile capabilities but are still not as attentive as Western observers, from whom they draw most of their information and analytic insights. Chinese analyses broadly mirror Western experts’ conclusions about the state of North Korea’s missile capabilities, most notably that North Korea has a functional, if not fully perfected, intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM) that can reach the United States with a nuclear weapon. However, there is little original Chinese analysis that would enhance foreign experts’ preexisting understanding of DPRK missiles.”

6. New virus cases under 200 for 9th day, S. Korea undecided on easing virus measures

en.yna.co.kr · by 강윤승 · September 11, 2020

Now is not the time to waffle.  South Korea must be decisive.

7. Juche in the Era of a Pandemic

NK Hidden Gulag· by Benjamin Fu · September 10, 2020

Good summary analysis of the humanitarian situation in the north and the regime's bankrupt ideology.

Conclusion:

“As Kim Jong-un faces a pivotal crossroads in his stance on juche relative to international cooperation, one thing has become abundantly clear: the regime’s continued deference to an arms race in lieu of basic human rights as well as entrenched social elitism represent symbolic games of roulette that the regime cannot win in the long run.”

8. Both Trump, N. Korea could opt for 'October Surprise': expert

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · September 11, 2020

Maybe.  But to what ends?  What effects do they think they can achieve?  And of course the more we talk about an October Surprise the less of a surprise it might be.

9. FDD | How Washington Can Help Bridge the Gap Between Seoul and Tokyo

fdd.org · by Mathew Ha · September 10, 2020

From my colleague Mathew Ha.

Yes, Washington can help but I believe it will still be up to both Korean and Japanese leaders to exercise decisive leadership and commit to putting national security and national prosperity first while trying to manage the historical issues.

10. N.K. paper says unity is 'most powerful weapon' against multiple challenges

en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · September 11, 2020

I am reminded of an RI at Ranger School, Sergeant Pugh, who used to bellow out on the PT stand, "False motivation will get you nowhere." 

We should remind north Korea that false unity will not work.

11. Kim Yo Jong updates "Greatness Education" curriculum at preschools

dailynk.com · by Kim Yoo Jin· September 11, 2020

Make north Korea great again?  Seriously, note that it is not about the greatness of north Korea, it is only about instilling loyalty in the Kim family regime.

12. Pyongyang might launch SLBM on the day of U.S. presidential election

donga.com· September 11, 2020

What effect would it have on the day of election?  What effect would the regime think it could achieve?

13. Ballistic missile units given additional manpower, deploy new equipment (north Korea)

dailynk.com · by Jeong Tae Joo · September 11, 2020

Now these are potential indicators.

14. Intelligence looking into NK’s submarine missile launch: report

koreaherald.com · by Choi Si-young · September 11, 2020

Excerpt:

“A new ICBM would be the last bargaining chip, regardless of who gets sworn in as the next American president. At least that’s how we see it,” a military source was quoted as saying, reinforcing speculation Pyongyang prefers a less provocative SLBM to heap pressure on Washington.

15. South Korea and Japan: Resolving the Comfort Women Issue

thediplomat.com · Naoko Kumagai ·  September 10, 2020

Empathy is helpful but decisive national leadership on both sides is key,  and then it can only be managed as it will likely never be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

16. North Korea Covers Up Apartment Collapse With 70 Casualties After Two Typhoons Hammer Wonsan

rfa.org

Reporting you can only get from RFA and VOA.  And remember this information is broadcast into north Korea to inform the Korean people living in the north because this information is not reported in the party controlled media.

17. How Kim Jong Un ‘Played’ Donald Trump

Sure, there is a lot that can be criticized.  But there is one thing we should keep in mind that the press and the pundits do not emphasize.  The fact that Trump and Moon have not lifted sanctions is the best indication that they have not been played.  And Kim's failure to play them and get sanctions relief after he raised expectations among the elite and military that he could play them has put him under enormous internal pressure in Pyongyang. 

The Daily Beast · by  Donald Kirk· September 10, 2020

18.  South Korea's Geopolitical Fear: Getting Stuck Between China and America

The National Interest · by Mark Episkopos · September 10, 2020

A shrimp among whales.  And when whales wrestle, shrimp die.  

This is a very real fear among Koreans.  We need to understand and respect this and help alleviate Korean fears.

19. The Sorrows of Young Kim Jong Un

Foreign Policy · by Michael Hirsh · September 10, 2020

I am now coming to regret having ordered Woodward's new book. I did so to read the letters between Kim and trump.  But with all the reporting on the book it seems like reporters have revealed every key point in the book about Korea and other issues.  We may not need to read the book.  And there are too many reports to send out.

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

On this day... 19 years (September 10th) ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.”

-Unknown

”When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.”

-Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”

-Author David Levithan

News and Commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and Published by Andrew Narloch.

1. Pacific Air Forces leader eager to take up Palau's offer to build joint military airfields

2. Is Palau the key to the Marine Corps' fight against China?

3. Assessing Trump's National Security Record

4. Short-term tax cut for service members must be repaid in early 2021

5. The Air Force Isn't Dominant Anymore ... Says Air Force Chief of Staff

6.  China Detains 23 in Crackdown on Inner Mongolia Protests

7. Opinion | This is who Joe Biden should nominate as defense secretary

8. As Investigators ID Big Problems, U.S. Navy Blames "Fat Leonard"

9. Under multiple investigations for crime 'climate,' Fort Hood command shakeup came fast

10. China Rips Into Trump Order Revoking Visas Of 1,000 Chinese Students

11. National Cyber Power Index 2020 Methodology and Analytical Considerations

12. Hyten: New Warfighting Concept to Erase Battlefield Lines

13. Africa spec ops commander warns of al-Qaida's growing influence

14. The Law of (Future) Armed Conflict: LOAC, Technology, and the Changing Character of Warfare

15.  Most Americans support athletes speaking out, say anthem protests are appropriate, Post poll find

16. Philosophy for a Time of Crisis

1. Pacific Air Forces leader eager to take up Palau's offer to build joint military airfields

Stars and Stripes-By WYATT OLSON-September 9, 2020

Seems like Palau is becoming a very popular place.

2. Is Palau the key to the Marine Corps' fight against China?

marinecorpstimes.com · by Philip Athey · September 10, 2020

3. Assessing Trump's National Security Record

defenseone.com · by Joseph J. Collins

How has he done against four main threats our nation faces?

4. Short-term tax cut for service members must be repaid in early 2021

NBC News · September 9, 2020

All service members beware.

5. The Air Force Isn't Dominant Anymore ... Says Air Force Chief of Staff

Popular Mechanics · by Kyle Mizokami · September 9, 2020

A bucket of cold water is right: "Writing in Accelerate Change or Lose, Brown dumps a cold bucket of water on his service, saying the Air Force can longer count on the dominance it has enjoyed since the early 1990s, and that threats to the nation won't always be faced thousands of miles from the country's borders."

6.  China Detains 23 in Crackdown on Inner Mongolia Protests

thediplomat.com · by Associated Press · September 9, 2020

The government is taking a heavy handed approach to protests over a new Mandarin-language education policy.

7. Opinion | This is who Joe Biden should nominate as defense secretary

The Washington Post · September 9, 2020

If Vice President Biden wins I would bet on Ms. Flournoy being the SECDEF.

8. As Investigators ID Big Problems, U.S. Navy Blames "Fat Leonard"

Forbes · by Craig Hooper · September 5, 2020

Damaged USS Fitzgerald limps home.

9. Under multiple investigations for crime 'climate,' Fort Hood command shakeup came fast

expressnews.com · September 9, 2020

All the services are having problems.

10. China Rips Into Trump Order Revoking Visas Of 1,000 Chinese Students

Barron's · by AFP - Agence France Presse

Well maybe China should end its 1000 grains of sand and 1000 talents program.  Is there a message in the number?

11. National Cyber Power Index 2020 Methodology and Analytical Considerations

Belfere Center

An interesting excerpt here on north Korea.  It is a special case in a lot of ways.

For the DPRK we could not find reliable measurements for many of the capabilities listed in our index. We have therefore asked several experts to provide us with their assessments of the different capabilities as they relate to the DPRK to inform the NCPI. Researchers and practitioners should bear in mind that the DPRK is a special case when referencing its NCPI score in comparison to the other countries in this index.

12. Hyten: New Warfighting Concept to Erase Battlefield Lines

nationaldefensemagazine.org · by Connie L

Excerpt:

The development process is still in the experimentation phase, Hyten said Sept. 9 at the Department of Defense Artificial Intelligence Symposium and Exposition, which was held virtually due to COVID-19 safety concerns. However, the upcoming concept is beginning to take shape, he noted.

"We're about there and we're starting to understand what that [concept] really is," he said.

The upcoming document - which is slated to be released in December - will be unique in that it changes the way the military will operate by eliminating lines on the battlefield such as fire support coordination lines, he noted. Instead of designating areas for each of the service's operations, fires will come in from multiple domains, he said.

13. Africa spec ops commander warns of al-Qaida's growing influence

militarytimes.com · by Meghann Myers · September 9, 2020

AQ borrows from Mark Twain - "reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

I could challenge the CSA and offer him some examples of our work in the Philippines that included a lot more than tactical training (to include logistics, joint operations, interagency integration, and more):

"Special Forces is very good at training tactical-type units; they're very good at accompanying tactical-type units," Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said. "But SFABs build a professional military force, which is different. How do you do logistics? How do you maintain vehicles? How do you build a professional military that will provide security?"

14. The Law of (Future) Armed Conflict: LOAC, Technology, and the Changing Character of Warfare

mwi.usma.edu · by Robert Lawless · September 10, 2020

15.  Most Americans support athletes speaking out, say anthem protests are appropriate, Post poll find

The Washington Post · September 10, 2020

This will not go over well in many areas on social media. But you have to reflect on what it means to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.  How you understand that determines how you feel about these issues.

16. Philosophy for a Time of Crisis

WSJ · by Eric Weiner

We need the wisdom of philosophy now more than ever! I think Stoic philosophy is particularly useful. 

-------

"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." 

- Eleanor Roosevelt

"Radical groups with distant goals could find comfort in an isolated purity, while those who tasted success saw the value of accommodating the views of others."

 - Lawrence Freedman, Strategy: A History

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."

- Samuel Adams