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

1. Chinese ambassador struggles to explain Xinjiang footage of blindfolded prisoners

2. U.S. must expose and confront Russia's criminal behavior

3.  I was a military COVID planner. Trust me: Texas is in deep, deep trouble

4. Details on coronavirus infections at U.S. bases not being disclosed to Japanese public

5. US Navy's chief petty officer charged with transmitting email to Russian national

6. Japan's 'shield' against North Korean missiles would not have worked

7. Post-Covid: what next for Asia-Pacific?

8. SAS snipers 'kill 100 Islamic State fighters in secret war after targeting jihadi cave in Iraq'

9. Disinformation about 'antifa' provides fodder for foreign propagandists

10. Pentagon is working to develop detection system for EMP

11. Veterans go to Washington - but so what?

12. The Pentagon is playing its C team with so many top positions left unfilled

13. Christopher Dickey, longtime foreign correspondent, dies at 68

14. A tale of two letters by Eliot A. Cohen

15. The forever war over war literature

16. This Ranger fought in Mogadishu before becoming a country music star

 

1. Chinese ambassador struggles to explain Xinjiang footage of blindfolded prisoners

Axios · by Fadel Allassan · July 19, 2020

Yes, I would not want to be the Chinese Ambassador.

But that is quite an image of the Uighur prisoners. Video of the Chinese Ambassador here.

Good work by the BBC.

 

2. U.S. must expose and confront Russia's criminal behavior

Washington Times · by Joseph R. DeTrani · July 18, 2020

Yes. It should go without saying, but I am glad the Ambassador is saying it.

 

3. I was a military COVID Planner. Trust Me: Texas Is in Deep, Deep Trouble

The Daily Beast · by Kris Alexander · July 19, 2020

Strong words follow. This former military planner provides some important background and considerations. It will be a real tragedy if/when the hurricanes hit Texas (or Florida or the gulf and east coasts).

 

4. Details on coronavirus infections at U.S. bases not being disclosed to Japanese public

The Japan Times · by Internal Submission · July 19, 2020

 

5. US Navy's chief petty officer charged with transmitting email to Russian national

TASS Russian News Agency · by Internal Submission · July 19, 2020

Reporting from TASS based on a report from the Virginian Pilot. I have not seen this yet in the mainstream US media.

 

6. Japan's 'shield' against North Korean missiles would not have worked

Nikkei Asian Review · by Tetsuro Kosaka · July 18, 2020

There is no missile shield. Iron Dome in Israel is the closest thing to an artillery shield there is but I do not believe there is the technical capability to create a shield against North Korean missiles.

"The bomber [missile] will get through." - Bomber Harris.

 

7. Post-Covid: what next for Asia-Pacific?

Asia Times · by Hassan Noor · July 18, 2020

Yes, there will be a new normal in Asia as well.

Some worthy objectives from the author. "That which does not kill me makes me stronger?" I hope so.

 

8. SAS snipers 'kill 100 Islamic State fighters in secret war after targeting jihadi cave in Iraq'

Evening Standard · by Kit Heren · July 19, 2020

Snipers continue to be relevant and effective. We must always invest in and sustain this very low cost capability.

 

9. Disinformation about 'antifa' provides fodder for foreign propagandists

Medium · by @DFRLab · July 17, 2020

This will be panned by those who call antifa a terrorist or insurgent organization. But it would be a mistake not to study the propaganda effects.

 

10. Pentagon is working to develop detection system for EMP

Daily Mail · by Keith Griffith · July 19, 2020

I thought the only way you detect EMP is when you lose your comms and all electronic devices fail. (my sarcasm)

 

11. Veterans go to Washington - but so what?

Asia Times · by Nan Levinson · July 19, 2020

They are not a monolith and there are veterans on both sides of the aisle. And it takes time to develop power and influence. And, of course, the executive makes policy and Congress authorizes and appropriates to support policies.

 

12. The Pentagon is playing its C team with so many top positions left unfilled

Task & Purpose · by Jeff Schogol · July 17, 2020

True – there are a lot of senior positions unfilled. However, there are still a lot of good people working hard and I would hardly call them a C team (though I did once command a damn fine C team - 1-1 SFG HQ in Okinawa, but I digress). I think those in the Pentagon have had to fleet up and fill those roles and many of them are punching above their weight. And I definitely would not consider Chris Miller a lightweight, though we do need some stability in ASD SO/LIC leadership and Chris has already been tapped for the head of NCTC (which, by definition, means he is not a lightweight).

 

13. Christopher Dickey, longtime foreign correspondent, dies at 68

New York Times · by Daniel Victor · July 17, 2020

The Fourth Estate loses one of its great ones.

 

14. A tale of two letters by Eliot A. Cohen

The Atlantic · by Eliot A. Cohen · July 17, 2020

For some Sunday reflection.

 

15. The Forever War over war literature

New Republic · by Matt Gallagher · July 17, 2020

I am sure we have all read these authors over the years: Webb, O'Brien, Del Vecchio, Kovic, Sheehan, and others.

More reflection for a Sunday.

 

16. This Ranger fought in Mogadishu before becoming a country music star

We Are the Mighty · by Miguel Ortiz · July 6, 2020

There is success after the military. :-) And perhaps much of that success comes from being in the military.

 

"All you need are these: certainty of judgment in the present moment; action for the common good in the present moment; and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way."

-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

"We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together and if we are to live together we have to talk."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew."

- Abraham Lincoln, December 1862

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

1. Kim Jong-Un on brink: North Korea leader facing COUP from own sister

2. U.S. files first case against a company for violating North Korea sanctions

3. Report: U.S., South Korea militaries to conduct pared down drills

4. FAO warns of acute food shortage in N. Korea due to COVID-19

5. N.K. leader discusses 'war deterrent' at Central Military Commission meeting

6. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un guides enlarged meeting of WPK Central Military Commission

7. North Korean defector takes contrarian stance against bashing Kim

8. Pentagon official says U.S. 'routinely' reviews global force posture amid report on troop cut

9. Donald Trump and pulling U.S. forces out of South Korea: why cost sharing vs. burden sharing matters

10. Will North Korea's Kim deliver an 'October surprise' to Trump?

11. Kim Jong-Un's sister Kim Yo-Jong solidifying 'position of ultimate power', may displace him as leader: Expert

12. N.K. paper touts N.K.-Russia ties on occasion of 20th anniv. of declaration on bilateral cooperation

 

1. Kim Jong-Un on brink: North Korea leader facing COUP from own sister

Express · by Ciaran McGrath · July 18, 2020

A "coup?" Maybe the Express just signed Kim Yo-Jong's "death warrant." Anybody who challenges Kim Jong-Un does not last long. There are no "#2's" in North Korea. But on a serious note, I would not put much stock in this report. Yes, she has power. Yes, she is making public statements on behalf of the regime. And she may be being groomed for possible succession. But a coup?

 

2. U.S. files first case against a company for violating North Korea sanctions

Wall Street Journal · by Aruna Viswanatha & Kate O'Keeffe · July 16, 2020

Counterfeiting cigarettes is one of the regime's important illicit money making activities. We need more of this type of legal action.

 

3. Report: U.S., South Korea militaries to conduct pared down drills

UPI · by Elizabeth Shim · July 17, 2020

"Scaled back"  exercises have no effect on North Korea. They will not create space to support diplomacy. But with the threat of the coronavirus, the commanders are going to conduct a thorough risk analysis to determine if the exercise can be conducted and, if so, at what level. And then there is the assessment for OPCON transition. I do not think the conditions are sufficient to move ahead with the fully operational capability assessment. But we can see the Moon administration remains focused on time-based transition rather than conditions-based as both countries have agreed to.

 

4. FAO warns of acute food shortage in N. Korea due to COVID-19

KBS World Radio · by KBS World Radio · July 18, 2020

The regime's policy decisions are responsible for food shortages and the suffering of the Korean people in the North. 

 

5. N.K. leader discusses 'war deterrent' at Central Military Commission meeting

Yonhap News Agency · by Koh Byung-joon · July 19, 2020

Yes, there should be no doubt they are talking about nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, this message is meant for all the engagers and appeasers who make excuses for the regime - the regime has to defend itself from the hostile policies of the US. If only the US would end the hostile policies, the North would negotiate and denuclearize. Also, we should never forget that the regime considers the North a "revolutionary nation" and its constitution calls for completing the socialist revolution over the entire Korean peninsula and ridding it of foreign influence and interference. All the engagers and appeasers must never forget what are the true objectives of the regime. They are NOT to denuclearize and live in peace and harmony with the South.

 

6. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Guides Enlarged Meeting of WPK Central Military Commission

KCNA Watch · by KCNA.kp · July 19, 2020

Here is the KCNA report of the "enlarged meeting" to the Central Military Commission. We should remember that without a strong military supporting the regime, Kim Jong-Un cannot survive. On the other hand, we should be under no illusion that Kim Jong-Un appears to be in complete control of the military at the current time.  As I have read many of these reports over the years, one thing always strikes me as common in all these meetings: the priority always seems to be on ideological education. I don't know, but after these years of ideological education, you would think they would have gotten the message by now. Perhaps all the North Korean generals and officers are simply "slow learners" (note my attempt at humor).

 

7. North Korean defector takes contrarian stance against bashing Kim

Nikkei Asian Review · by Steven Borowiec · July 17, 2020

This is an important aspect of the right themes and messages. Messages are more effective with accurate information from the outside world that do not bash Kim but objectively describe what he is doing in terms of his poor leadership and abusing the human rights of the Korean people living in the North. If the escapee/defectors merely mirror image the hostile North Korean propaganda, the Korean people in the North will discount it just as they discount the propaganda from their own party's Propaganda and Agitation Department. More sophisticated and nuanced messages will have a greater effect. One of the most effective messages of the K-Drama, Crash Landing on You, (as told to me by some Korean escapees) is that it portrayed the Korean people in the North, to include the Army, as normal human beings and not the caricatures the North paints of those in the South. One escapee told me the regime has never produced anything in the media as showing the South in any kind of positive light. They have never heard anything positive about the South come from the regime (as a side note – this is why Kim Jong-Un miscalculated in September 2018 when he allowed President Moon Jae-In to speak to the Korean people in Pyongyang. He countered all North Korean propaganda as he came across as a smart and compassionate man and not the puppet controlled by the US).

But one of the important aspects of this article is that it illustrates how little Koreans in the South understand their brothers and sisters in the North and the biases they have. This is of course troubling.

 

8. Pentagon official says U.S. 'routinely' reviews global force posture amid report on troop cut

Yonhap News Agency · by sshluck@yna.co.kr · July 19, 2020

Yes, of course it does. But I would like to know the answers to a few questions: now that we have learned that options were provided to POTUS in March by SECDEF, we really should ask what was the question that led to these options? Was it to bring home X number of or all troops? And, if so, how, when, where? Or was it the right question of how do we optimize our overseas military presence to support US National Security objectives and provide force presence and projection and strategic agility to do so? The question(s) drives the answer(s) or options presented. National Security professionals know the right questions to ask and answer. Did we get it right? Are we doing what is best for US National Security?

Would it be good to alter the US force posture in Korea?

It could be good if the alliance was not in turmoil as it is now. We should do this: conduct a comprehensive strategic review of ROK/US combined forces on the peninsula to 1) determine the optimal size of the US presence to contribute to deterrence, 2) support the defense plans, 3) support the OPCON transition process, and 4) provide the US with the necessary strategic agility in Asia. The outcome of such a review will strengthen allied military posture in South Korea and, whether the number of US troops is increased or decreased, the force will be "right-sized" for the mission and to meet US strategic objectives.

My fear is the only question the Pentagon was asked was: how can we get US troops off the Korean Peninsula (e.g. how many and how fast?). We should not forget what the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board quoted Senator Ben Sasse saying yesterday.

And we should not forget this anecdote from Governor Larry Hogan's Washington Post op-ed, which does not help the alliance. I fear this is what framed the questions to the Pentagon.

 

9. Donald Trump and pulling U.S. forces out of South Korea: why cost sharing vs. burden sharing matters

The National Interest · by Daniel R. DePetris · July 18, 2020

Another ill-informed opinion piece (well, he does get South Korea defense spending right: it is increasing, but he should have reminded everyone it is about 2.7% of GDP and rising, and that it is higher than any other US NATO ally).

But what is troubling to me is the implication that Korea is interested not in defending itself but in remaining dependent on the US instead. I wonder why we have been pursuing OPCON transition for so many years? I wonder why we may soon have a South Korean general officer in command of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command? Why have we had a program over the past 17 years of developing South Korean independent warfighting capabilities? And, even as the South increases its defense spending (and buys quite a bit of US military equipment), we still demand it pays more for burden sharing. There are only two things South Korea is dependent upon the US for: 1) extended nuclear deterrence and 2) conventional deterrence. We should never forget that, according to the regime leadership itself, the only thing that prevents a resumption of hostilities in order for the regime to accomplish its revolutionary objectives is the presence of US forces. That is the single most important deterrence factor. Yes, the North is an existential threat to the South (though I believe the latter would win the war on its own), but it is in the US national interest to prevent a war on the Korean peninsula and it is the presence of US troops (and the demonstration of strategic reassurance and strategic resolve) that makes the biggest contribution to deterrence.

 

10. Will North Korea's Kim deliver an 'October surprise' to Trump?

The Japan Times · by Jesse Johnson · July 19, 2020

Will he or won't he? Let's start a pool. Yes or no is one category and then what kind? A provocation or a summit?

We should think about what kind of "surprise" he might conduct beyond all the obvious ones and the ones from the past. What has he not done and what have we not thought of?

But we should also consider this: the more we talk about a surprise, the less likely it will be a surprise.  When he does something people will say, "See I told you so."  Or "That is not a surprise at all. We expected something like this." 

We are actually helping to inoculate the South Korea and US publics by attacking the strategy of the October surprise. We are exposing it so it will not be a surprise. And a message we should transmit to the regime is that, regardless of what kind of surprise it tries to execute, it will have no effect on Trump or the outcome of the election because, short of war, the American people are not likely to have their opinions (or votes) altered by North Korean actions or rhetoric. North Korea is just not that important to the American voter in an election. The best October surprise Kim could do for himself would probably be to do nothing. But given his narcissist sociopathic or psychopathic personality he probably cannot help himself. He will operate under the continued delusion that he is a player in the international community and that he can create effects on the great powers (he only can if we let him… if we fall for his long con and political warfare with Juche characteristics).

 

11. Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong solidifying 'position of ultimate power', may displace him as leader: expert

MEAWW · by Pritha Paul · July 18, 2020

For the Korea hands who are leadership experts: has Kim Yo-Jong been given any apparent power with regards to the military? She has assumed a number of roles that exercise or give her access to various levers of power. But I have missed any indication that she has been given any kind of authority over the military (though perhaps the order to destroy the liaison office is one indication of her power and, of course, her party positions have power over the military because the party controls the military). But so far in the reports on the enlarged central military commission meeting yesterday we have not seen her name mentioned. Was it not enlarged enough to include her? Was she even present?  Maybe she was and it has not been reported.

 

12. N.K. paper touts N.K.-Russia ties on occasion of 20th anniv. of declaration on bilateral cooperation

Yonhap News Agency · by sshluck@yna.co.kr · July 19, 2020

But I bet the Kim regime misses the old Soviet Union and longs for the "good old days."

 

"All you need are these: certainty of judgment in the present moment; action for the common good in the present moment; and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way."

-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

"We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together and if we are to live together we have to talk."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew."

- Abraham Lincoln, December 1862

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

1. As the U.S. copes with multiple crises, partisans disagree sharply on severity of problems facing the nation

2. Secretary of Defense’s (Dr. Mark T. Esper) guidance on public display or depiction of flags in the Department of Defense

3. B-1 bombers deploy to Guam as Navy carriers continue readiness training in South China Sea

4. China is done biding its time - the end of Beijing's foreign policy restraint?

5. I'm a black police officer. Here's how to change the system.

6. Federal agents deployed by Trump spirit away protesters. What country is this?

7. Is the Saudi Government plotting against another U.S.-based critic?

8. Veteran U.S. diplomat Richardson fails to secure release of Americans jailed in Venezuela

9. Unidentified federal agents are detaining protesters in Portland

10. A Green Beret's perspective on defunding the police and answer to America's growing polarization.

11. Naval power is the ultimate strategic enabler in our competition with China

12. Are US-Japan relations on the rocks?

13. DARPA pays $1 million for an AI app that can predict an enemy's emotions

14. Federal employees can express support for Black Lives Matter, watchdog says

15. The troll: a fake flag burning at Gettysburg was only his latest hoax

16. Iranian spies accidentally leaked a video of themselves hacking

17. How COVID-19 disinformation goes viral

18. Wednesday's hack shows that the whole world is in your Twitter DMs

19. Japan accuses China of spreading 'disinformation' during coronavirus

 

1. As the U.S. copes with multiple crises, partisans disagree sharply on severity of problems facing the nation

Pew Research Center · by Amina Dunn · July 14, 2020

This divide is a national security issue. Division is normal and healthy. Our political system does not function without it and it was designed to function with it. The questions are: 1) are we willing to respect the divisions and those on the opposing sides and 2) are we willing to make the necessary political accommodations for our system to continue to survive and thrive? However, some of these issues should not have such a wide division. And some of the divides shows the irrational influence of partisan politics.

I am hopeful that in two areas the divide is relatively small - ethics in government and the federal deficit (and terrorism and violent crime as well, though both sides think these are relatively low).

 

2. Secretary of Defense’s (Dr. Mark T. Esper) guidance on public display or depiction of flags in the Department of Defense

US Department of Defense · July 17, 2020

The memo can be downloaded here.

Here is my tweet back to the SECDEF (replying to @EsperDoD and @DeptofDefense) when he tweeted this out yesterday:

Excellent guidance, sir. As an aside, this is how you deal with an "insurgency" in the latent or incipient stage. You make the right political accommodations to undermine the legitimacy of the radical leadership of the insurgent or resistance movement.

 

3. B-1 bombers deploy to Guam as Navy carriers continue readiness training in South China Sea

Stars & Stripes · by Wyatt Olson · July 17, 2020

Good. We need to see more of the Bone in the Pacific.

 

4. China is done biding its time - the end of Beijing's foreign policy restraint?

Foreign Affairs · by Kurt M. Campbell & Mira Rapp-Hooper · July 15, 2020

Another audition for Secretary of State in a new Administration? :-)

 

5. I'm a Black Police Officer. Here's How to Change the System.

New York Times · by David Hughes · July 16, 2020

Some important recommendations in this essay. We should listen to Major Hughes.

 

6. Federal agents deployed by Trump spirit away protesters. What country is this?

Los Angeles Times · by Scott Martelle · July 17, 2020

I am not sure why all those who fear government overreach and its trampling on civil liberties are not up in arms about this. If we truly believe in all 10 Amendments/Bill of Rights, we should not be allowing this to happen.

 

7. Is the Saudi government plotting against another U.S.-Based critic?

The New Yorker · by Dexter Filkins · July 16, 2020

We have got to put pressure on the Saudi government to stop this kind of behavior against Americans.

 

8. Veteran U.S. diplomat Richardson fails to secure release of Americans jailed in Venezuela

Reuters · by Makini Brice, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Orlofsky, & Jonathan Oatis · July 17, 2020

I do not think anyone should be surprised by this failure.

 

9. Unidentified federal agents are detaining protesters in Portland

New York Magazine · by Adam K. Raymond & Chas Danner · July 17, 2020

Hmmm...

 

10. A Green Beret's perspective on defunding the police and answer to America's growing polarization.

Medium · by Matt Visnovsky · July 17, 2020

There is a lot to digest in this essay. Unfortunately, it will not format for email so please go to the link to read the entire piece. And some interesting photos there too.

 

11. Naval power is the ultimate strategic enabler in our competition with China

National Review · by Seth Cropsey & Harry Halem · July 15, 2020

We need our strong Navy more than ever.

 

12. Are US-Japan relations on the rocks?

The Hill · by Michael J. Green & Jeffrey W. Hornung · July 17, 2020

Just think about this for a moment. What if our both linchpin and cornerstone alliances in Northeast Asia and the INDOPACIFIC are in trouble? What does that do for the Free and Open INDOPACIFC and our national security strategy toward the revisionist and rogue powers?

 

13. DARPA pays $1 million for an AI app that can predict an enemy's emotions

Forbes · by Thomas Brewster · July 16, 2020

Interesting. One of the things we do best in America is to search for technical solutions to problems of human nature, culture, language, etc. (not that we always find technical solutions for complex problems).

 

14. Federal employees can express support for Black Lives Matter, watchdog says

New York Times · by Michael Levenson · July 16, 2020

This will be upsetting so some. In a way it is smart because to push back on this will only harden the resolve of some people. It also can be useful in undermining the legitimacy of the radical leadership who has tried to co-opt a protest movement. It is important to try to separate the people who have grievances from the radical leadership who seek to exploit those people for their own political power and agenda. The radical leadership does not have the interests of those with grievances at heart.  If, as some has postulated, we are in the latent or incipient stage of an insurgency it is important to make the right political accommodations.

 

15. The troll: a fake flag burning at Gettysburg was only his latest hoax

Washington Post · by Shawn Boburg · July 17, 2020

These are the kinds of threats we need to deal with these days. We have to be vigilant. We have to think critically about what we see and read on social media and throughout the Internet. Whether progressive, liberal, or conservative, we cannot allow ourselves to be duped by these trolls.

 

16.  Iranian spies accidentally leaked a video of themselves hacking

Wired · by Andy Greenberg · July 16, 202

Hmm....I hate it when that happens! :-)

 

17.  How COVID-19 disinformation goes viral

Union of Concerned Scientists · by Anita Desikan · July 16, 2020

I suspect this is one of the reasons why we are having problem with developing a united resistance to the COVID 19 pandemic in the U.S.

 

18.  Wednesday's hack shows that the whole world is in your Twitter DMs

Defense One · by Patrick Tucker · July 16, 2020

Very interesting target list for this hack.

 

19. Japan accuses China of spreading 'disinformation' during coronavirus

Daily Mail · by Jemma Carr · July 14, 2020

 

"Having a strategy suggests an ability to look up from the short term and the trivial to view the long term and the essential, to address causes rather than symptoms, to see woods rather than trees."

- Lawrence Freedman, Strategy: A History

"Where is the Life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"

- T. S. Eliot

"Do not be impatient with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud."

- Vernon Howard

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

1. A Trump retreat from Korea?

2. Korean War hero Paik's pursuit of freedom, democracy ever more important today: U.S. official

3. U.S. senator slams Trump administration after report of possible troop reduction in S. Korea

4.  Pentagon has offered White House options to reduce troops in S. Korea: report

5. New virus cases dip below 40, imported cases still worrisome

6. N. Korea claims it is developing coronavirus vaccine

7. US mulls 'new proposals' for NK: report

8. Provinces ordered to increase number of stores accepting foreign currency

9. Hard labor for North Koreans who don't wear masks under tough new coronavirus measures

10. North Korea may select new members for Moranbong Band

11. North Korea's foreign propaganda takes a step towards modernity

12. Inspector O and the lost opportunity

13. Narrative on Korean War

14. 70 years since Kim Il-sung said, 'Go'

 

1. A Trump Retreat From Korea?

Wall Street Journal · by the Editorial Board · July 17, 2020

The subtitle makes an important point on China in addition to the fact North Korea will no longer be deterred if it believes the US has lost its strategic resolve. I hope those in the White House read the Wall Street Journal and listened to Senator Sasse.

 

2.Korean War hero Paik's pursuit of freedom, democracy ever more important today: U.S. official

Yonhap News Agency · by Lee Haye-ah · July 18, 2020

The one-hour video tribute hosted by the Korea Defense Veterans Association is here.

 

3. U.S. senator slams Trump administration after report of possible troop reduction in S. Korea

Yonhap News Agency · by Lee Haye-ah · July 18, 2020

Strong criticism from Senator Ben Sasse.

 

4. Pentagon has offered White House options to reduce troops in S. Korea: report

Yonhap News Agency · by hague@yna.co.kr · July 18, 2020

I was really out of the loop.  I missed any discussion of the review last fall, the completion last December, and the presentation of options to the White House in March.

We are in for some interesting times. The Pentagon did a damn good job keeping this under wraps.

 

5. New virus cases dip below 40, imported cases still worrisome

Yonhap News Agency · by kdon@yna.co.kr · July 18, 2020

It seems to me the one of the biggest problems we have with this pandemic is global travel.

 

6. N. Korea claims it is developing coronavirus vaccine

Yonhap News Agency · by kdon@yna.co.kr · July 18, 2020

Maybe this will be the game changer the world needs. It sure would be something if North Korea actually did develop a vaccine. 

 

7.  US mulls 'new proposals' for NK: report

The Korea Herald · by Kim So-hyun · July 17, 2020

So this is a single source "report" from an article written by Harry Kazianis. He apparently has the inside track on White House policy. Really?

If this "report" is true, we are about to waste the past two years of trying to break Kim Jong-Un's cycle of blackmail diplomacy. If we give-in in October and provide Kim Jong-Un the sanctions relief he demands just to have a summit meeting, then it is game over - Kim will never give up his long con and, of course, never denuclearize the North.

 

8. Provinces ordered to increase number of stores accepting foreign currency

Daily NK · by Kim Yoo Jin · July 17, 2020

The headline confused me for a minute. I thought perhaps the regime was going to make a change and actually allow foreign currency. But then after reading the article, it is clear this is another ploy for the regime to vacuum up all the foreign currency from among the Korean people.

 

9. Hard labor for North Koreans who don't wear masks under tough new coronavirus measures

Radio Free Asia · by Sewon Kim, Leejin Jun, & Eugene Whong · July 16, 2020

Hmmm....perhaps we could learn a thing or two from North Korea! Note the student facemask patrol to enforce the wearing of masks (apologies for the gallows humor attempt).

On a serious note, if this is accurate it is an indication of how much the regime fears a coronavirus outbreak (or perhaps it is already experiencing one).

 

10. North Korea may select new members for Moranbong Band

Daily NK · by Ha Yoon Ah · July 17, 2020

Kim Yo-Jong does everything.  Now she is a recruiter of talent for her brother so he can maintain the Paektu bloodline. Note the reference to courtesans back in the Chosun Dynasty. I wonder if, when she assumes power, she will demand a K-pop boy band for herself?

 

11. North Korea's foreign propaganda takes a step towards modernity

38 North · by Martyn Williams · July 17, 2020

Important analysis from Martyn Williams. He has been tracking and analyzing North Korean media and propaganda for many years.

 

12. Inspector O and the lost opportunity

38 North · by James Church · July 17, 2020

Some interesting fiction. With an agenda. "James Church" (pseudonym) would never blame Kim Jong-Un for failure. It is always the American's fault and, in this case, that of the boogeyman, John Bolton.

 

13. Narrative on Korean War (book review)

The Korea Times · by William Jones · July 17, 2020

I do not read too much fiction, but I will add this to my list for my study of Korean culture. It has some pretty good reviews.

 

14. 70 years since Kim Il-sung said, 'Go'

The Korea Times · by Richard Pennington · July 17, 2020

A timely reminder of history from 70 years ago. It is especially relevant now as the US administration considers withdrawing some (or all?) of US troops from the Korean peninsula. And it is a good reminder of the actions of decisive leadership.

And we should never forget that Kim Il-Sung and the Kim family regime have the blood of more than 5 million people from all sides on their hands.

 

"Having a strategy suggests an ability to look up from the short term and the trivial to view the long term and the essential, to address causes rather than symptoms, to see woods rather than trees."

- Lawrence Freedman, Strategy: A History

"Where is the Life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"

- T. S. Eliot

"Do not be impatient with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud."

- Vernon Howard

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

1. Colin Powell Still Wants Answers

2. More Than Just a Fire: The Implications of the Bonhomme Richard Catastrophe

3. Behind the recovery, China's economy is wobbling

4. The case for robust defense spending Rep. Rob Wittman

5.  The US Navy is making South China Sea memes as its warships anger China and challenge its sweeping claims

6.   US-Backed 'Backbone of Internet Freedom' Entity Faces Possible Disruption

7.  Military leaders pressure Esper to ban Confederate flag

8. Pentagon mulling plan to ban Confederate flag without mentioning it by name: report

9. FDD | The World's Most Dangerous Alliance

10. Marine Corps quietly cuts ties with former top Tucker Carlson writer after racist and sexist posts surface

11. Fears Dominic Cummings will axe Parachute Regiment to have more cyber funding

12. Pentagon finally releases Marine Special Operations document that reveals leadership cover ups

13. The World's Most Technologically Sophisticated Genocide Is Happening in Xinjiang

14. World splitting into pro and anti-Huawei camps

15. Russia's Attempted Vaccine Hack Suggests Research - and a Putin's Grand Plan - Has Stalled

16. Army, New York medical teams giving Houston a helping hand during pandemic

17.  The Renewed Dependency on Mercenary Fighters

18. Opinion | There's no sign the U.S. is leaving the Middle East soon. And that's a good thing.

19. Celebrities hail 6-year-old as a hero after aunt says he saved his sister from a dog attack

 

1. Colin Powell Still Wants Answers

The New York Times · by Robert Draper · July 16, 2020

Not our finest hour perhaps.  The decision to go to Iraq is going to haunt us for a long time.

 

2. More Than Just a Fire: The Implications of the Bonhomme Richard Catastrophe

warontherocks.com · by Bryan McGrath · July 16, 2020

A key [point from Byran McGrath: "While navalists tend to judge navies by the number of ships that comprise them, the plain truth is that not all ships are created equal. The loss of some ships is much worse than others"  I am not a navalist but it seems but the title is obvious to me: there are a lot of "implications" and I think none of them are good. Byran lays out many here.

 

3. Behind the recovery, China's economy is wobbling

Financial Times · by Jamil Anderlini · July 16, 2020

Something to consider.

 

4. The case for robust defense spending Rep. Rob Wittman

Defense News · by Rep. Rob Wittman · July 16, 2020

The Armed Services Committee members must be making their cases.

 

5. The US Navy is making South China Sea memes as its warships anger China and challenge its sweeping claims

Business Insider · by Ryan Pickrell

See more of the memes at the link.

However, while we either laugh this off or denounce this, we should consider what are the potential influence effects on various target audiences.  Sometimes our best "PSYOP" comes from the rank and file non-PSYOP professionals.  Sometimes rather than "let slip the dogs of war" we should "turn loose the masters of memes."  

 

6. US-Backed 'Backbone of Internet Freedom' Entity Faces Possible Disruption

voanews.com · by Michelle Quinn

Not good news here.  This is or should be a critical capability for information and influence activities.

I also commend VOA for continuing to do their jobs and report the news even if it means reporting on the warts of its parent organization.  I hope the journalists do not suffer any backlash. This is where the U.S. demonstrates support for freedom of the press - it funds media organizations that hold the government and its own organization accountable by providing the news. 

 

7. Military leaders pressure Esper to ban Confederate flag

Politico· 16 July 2020

The SECDEF is in a tough spot. It will be interesting to see how he handles this in the coming months.

 

8. Pentagon mulling plan to ban Confederate flag without mentioning it by name: report

The Hill · by John Bowden · July 16, 2020

And here is an indication of how the SECDEF might be handling this. He is walking a tightrope.

 

9. FDD | The World's Most Dangerous Alliance

fdd.org · by Thomas Joscelyn Senior Fellow and Senior Editor of FDD's Long War Journal · July 15, 2020

Spoiler alert: China and Russia (or more specifically Xi-Putin)

 

10. Marine Corps quietly cuts ties with former top Tucker Carlson writer after racist and sexist posts surface

taskandpurpose.com · by Paul Szoldra

Wow. I wonder what were this 29 year old's qualifications to be a war gaming subject matter expert at the Marine War College.

 

11. Fears Dominic Cummings will axe Parachute Regiment to have more cyber funding

Mirror · by Phil Cardy · July 11, 2020

Why does the Parachute Regiment still exist?  Time for the old arguments about the efficacy of airborne operations. 

"When one commits one's self to an airborne craft and the door is fastened against earth and home, there is no escape even by running away. The result is a strange sense of peace - desperate, perhaps, but peace."
Pearl S. Buck

"When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears."
Philippe Halsman

For Mr. Cummings (of course his response will be Monte had an 90% success [failure] at Operation Market Garden (it was a bridge too far):

"What Manner Of Men Are These That Wear The Maroon Beret?

They are firstly all volunteers and are toughened by physical training. As a result they have infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from well-being. They have 'jumped' from the air and by doing so have conquered fear.

Their duty lies in the van of the battle. They are proud of this honour. They have the highest standards in all things whether it be skill in battle or smartness in the execution of all peace time duties. They are in fact - men apart - every man an emperor.

Of all the factors, which make for success in battle, the spirit of the warrior is the most decisive. That spirit will be found in full measure in the men who wear the maroon beret"

- Bernard Montgomery

 

12. Pentagon finally releases Marine Special Operations document that reveals leadership cover ups

sofrep.com · July 16, 2020

It will be interesting when (and if) the complete story is told.

 

13. The World's Most Technologically Sophisticated Genocide Is Happening in Xinjiang

Foreign Policy · by Yonah Diamond, Rayhan Asat · July 15, 2020

A terrible human tragedy inflicted on the Uighurs by the Chinese Communist Party.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."  - Edmund Burke 

 

14. World splitting into pro and anti-Huawei camps

asiatimes.com · by Scott Foster · July 16, 2020

Really? Push the firm farther ahead?  It seems like the free world is beginning to wake to the very real threat from Huawei.

 

15. Russia's Attempted Vaccine Hack Suggests Research - and a Putin's Grand Plan - Has Stalled

defenseone.com · by Patrick Tucker· July 17, 2020

This should not be unexpected.  Either the attempted hack and theft or the Russian's inability to create a vaccine.

 

16. Army, New York medical teams giving Houston a helping hand during pandemic

armytimes.com · by Nomaan Merchant and Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press · July 16, 2020

Yes I remember all the pundits saying how wrong we were to have deployed medical personnel and assets to New York and Los Angeles since they had so little to do. I am sure we will hear it again.

 

17. The Renewed Dependency on Mercenary Fighters

Spiegel · by Adam Asaad, Christoph Reuter, Maximilian Popp, Mirco Keilberth

I look forward to comments from Sean McFate and Chris Taylor.

 

18.  Opinion | There's no sign the U.S. is leaving the Middle East soon. And that's a good thing.

Washington Post· by David Ignatius · July 16, 2020

I am sure there are those who want to push back on Ignatius. But I think he is right about this: "One reason it's so hard for the United States to leave this region is that there's always a new crisis."

 

19.  Celebrities hail 6-year-old as a hero after aunt says he saved his sister from a dog attack

CBS News · by Caitlin O'Kane

What an incredible story. When they need a picture of selfless service they should put this 6 year old's photo.  Go to the link here and view the photos.  The last photo has his face all stitched up. Incredible heroism by this 6 year old.

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

"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

 

"In Korea the Government forces, which were armed to prevent border raids and to preserve internal security, were attacked by invading forces from North Korea....The attack upon Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war." -President Harry Truman

 

"Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy."

 - Sun Tzu, The Art of War 

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

1. N.K. leader made least number of public appearances in first half of year: report

2. U.S. indirectly supports leaflets sent to N. Korea

3. Unification ministry to inspect dozens of activist groups over N.K. leafleting

4. Seoul's leaflet crackdown faces backlash from rights advocates

5. Moon's new security team may have limits in engaging North Korea

6. Moon asks lawmakers to 'institutionalize' inter-Korean summit accords

7. Great-Power Problems Persist on the Korean Peninsula

8. S. Korea approved 16 cases of aid plans to N. Korea in H1: official

9. S. Korea trade minister outlines vision to rebuild trust in WTO

10. If you want peace, prepare for peace by Moon Chung-in

11. North Korean Teen Selected to Train as Kim Jong Un's Bodyguard Allegedly Kills Own Father

12. Trump said he didn't like dealing with Moon, that S. Koreans were 'terrible': governor

13. Moon joins other leaders calling for equal access to Covid-19 vaccine

14. Researchers: North Korea developing arsenal to evade missile defenses

15. Why We Need a Regional Approach for Crisis Management with North Korea

16. 'I escaped the horrors of North Korea twice and now have a new life in Manchester'

17. Kimchi protects against COVID-19, a study says

18. Gov't revokes operation permits for 2 N.K. defector groups over leafleting

19. S. Korea reiterates vow to crack down on anti-Pyongyang leaflets

20. S. Korean assembly speaker proposes peace talks with N. Korean counterpart

21. N.Korea's Sub-Launched Missiles 'Could Disable THAAD'

22. Time for America to Listen to Moon Chung-In

 

1. N.K. leader made least number of public appearances in first half of year: report

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 16, 2020

Yes, Kim fears the coronavirus.  He has been hiding out while the Korean people in the north suffer from both the effects of coronavirus as well as the draconian population and resources control measures to try to prevent the spread. I would make sure the Korean people know this.

 

2. U.S. indirectly supports leaflets sent to N. Korea

donga.com

Excellent statement by the State Department spokesman.  We (and I speak of the royal "we" the ROK/US alliance) should use all means available to get information into north Korea and inform the Korean people in the north about the outside and about their human rights are not respected by the Kim family regime.

And yes the escapees (defectors) from the north should be protected and supported as Suzanne Scholte states below and in her letter to President Moon.

 

3. Unification ministry to inspect dozens of activist groups over N.K. leafleting

en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · July 16, 2020

This is terribly sad.  The Unification Ministry should be ashamed.

 

4. Seoul's leaflet crackdown faces backlash from rights advocates

koreaherald.com · by Ahn Sung-mi · July 16, 2020

Unfortunately we must put pressure on our ally to stop this terrible action.  And we have to support the international community in putting pressure on the Moon administration.  I do not know what we can do to the Korean government to do the right thing.  How can we make them understand what needs to be done?  

 

5. Moon's new security team may have limits in engaging North Korea

The Korea Times · July 16, 2020

As we have seen in other reports the north is pleased with these appointments.

However, I think some of the comments in this article are important and likely accurate.  Regardless of the gambits by the Moon administration, even the appointment of officials whom the regime deems favorable, the north is unlikely to respond favorably to the South's attempts at engagement unless the regime can extort money from the South.  But this is a different time than the Sunshine Policy period because UN and US sanctions are much stronger and are part of what Park Won-gon calls structural limitations. 

Regarding the revamping of the ROK/US strategy working group by Unification Minister Park we should keep in mind the working group is between the State Department and the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs. While the MOU is invited to participate it is not in charge of the working group.  I believe Special Representative Lee do-hoon and Foriegn Minister Kang both know the importance of the working group and that it does not hinder ROK engagement.

The bottom line is the only person who is hindering ROK engagement is Kim Jong-un.

 

6. Moon asks lawmakers to 'institutionalize' inter-Korean summit accords

en.yna.co.kr · by 이치동 · July 16, 2020

INTRA-Korean. It is one Korea.

I think for President Moon it is peace at any cost.  And that cost could be very high. 

But this proposal seems like a fantasy: "He also expressed hope that inter-Korean parliamentary talks will take place before the four-year term of the newly elected lawmakers ends."  What "parliamentary" organization from the north would participate?  The Politburo?  I wonder if they would propose hosting it at the South Korean National Assembly building as I believe they built a chamber to support a unified Korea.  But I doubt the north would ever agree to such an event.

This statement by President Moon sounds good: "If the two Koreas cooperate on the basis of trust, it would benefit both of them"; however, it rests on the erroneous assumption that the north wants peace the same as the South. It assumes that Kim Jong-un will engage and negotiate in good faith as a responsible member of the international community.  These erroneous assumptions require a change in strategy. Unfortunately the Moon administration is doubling down on a strategy based on false assumptions.

 

7. Great-Power Problems Persist on the Korean Peninsula

The National Interest · by Yun Sun · July 15, 2020

I agree that the only way there will be dramatic change on the Korean peninsula is if there is a change in leadership in the north.  If there is internal regime change in the north it does not necessarily mean it will fall under Chinese control.  

 

8. S. Korea approved 16 cases of aid plans to N. Korea in H1: official

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 16, 2020

 

9. S. Korea trade minister outlines vision to rebuild trust in WTO

en.yna.co.kr · by 이준승 · July 16, 2020

It will be interesting to see if she can be selected.  I am not knowledgeable about trade issues and disputes but her vision seems sound. I wonder what trade experts think about it.

 

10. If you want peace, prepare for peace by Moon Chung-in

Hankyoreh· by Moon Chung-in · July 16, 2020

A thoroughly idealistic but totally naive view from one of President Moon's closest advisors. It is thinking like his that is dangerous for the Republic of Korea.  

My thoughts:

* I support peace on the Korean peninsula
* I support a diplomatic solution to the north Korean nuclear threat
* I support ROK engagement with the north
* I do not support a weakening of the ROK and ROK/US defensive capabilities
* I believe there cannot be success for US, ROK, and Japanese interests without strong ROK/US and Japan/US alliances
* Despite the above I think we have to accept that north Korea may have a continued hostile strategy and therefore while we prioritize diplomacy we have to remain prepared for the worst cases.  I hope I am wrong here and that Kim Jong-un will dismantle his nuclear weapons and seek peaceful coexistence and peaceful unification. But I fear that my hope is in vain.

As Sun Tzu said, "Never assume your enemy will not attack.  Make yourself invincible."

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."
George Washington

 

11. North Korean Teen Selected to Train as Kim Jong Un's Bodyguard Allegedly Kills Own Father

rfa.org· July 15, 2020

There is more to this than the headline. Note how young the boy was when selected for Department 5. Note also how the local party will likely be held accountable.

 

12. Trump said he didn't like dealing with Moon, that S. Koreans were 'terrible': governor

en.yna.co.kr · by 이해아 · July 17, 2020

This is not good for the alliance.

Here is the OP-ED to his Washington Post OpEd. 

He could have saved a few words on the OpEd if he had left this story out but then it would not have been as sensational. 

 

13. Moon joins other leaders calling for equal access to Covid-19 vaccine

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com· by Sarah Kim· July 17, 2020

 

14. Researchers: North Korea developing arsenal to evade missile defenses

upi.com· July 16, 2020

Here is the link to the Congressional Research Service report, "North Korea's Nuclear Weapons and Missile Programs:"

 

15. Why We Need a Regional Approach for Crisis Management with North Korea

apcss.org · by APCSS Editor · July 15, 2020

The 8 page report can be downloaded here.

 

16. 'I escaped the horrors of North Korea twice and now have a new life in Manchester'

Mirror · by Chris Kitching · July 16, 2020

We must not forget the Korean people in the north who are suffering and have suffered their whole lives.  They suffer for one reason: the evil nature of the Kim family regime

 

17. Kimchi protects against COVID-19, a study says

donga.com· July 16, 2020

I thought this was from KCNA at first.  I guess we are going to have to eat more Kimchi.

 

18. Gov't revokes operation permits for 2 N.K. defector groups over leafleting

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 17, 2020

Extremely disappointing and shortsighted action.  This will come back to haunt South Korea in the long run from a free speech, human rights, and unification perspective.  South Korea will come under international criticism for this action.

 

19. S. Korea reiterates vow to crack down on anti-Pyongyang leaflets

en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 17, 2020

This will not reduce tensions nor prevent the escalation of tensions.  north Korea does not need this to conduct its blackmail diplomacy and use coercion and extortion to get its ways.  The north just showed how it can coerce the South and the Moon administration has proved the point.  Things will only get worse from here while the administration seeks to implement its peace strategy the regime will make more demands and continue to coerce the South in other ways.  Why?  Because South Korea has provided it is vulnerable to the north's coercion. 

 

20. S. Korean assembly speaker proposes peace talks with N. Korean counterpart

en.yna.co.kr · by 박보람 · July 17, 2020

A yes the Supreme Peoples's Assembly.  A very powerful organization (the term rubber stamp is probably used with this organization more than any other "legislative" body in the world.  But we will see what Kim Jong-un does.  Does anyone think he would allow this? Park Byeong-seug should demand that such talks be held in South Korea at its National Assembly building. Of course if Kim even decided to allow this (only if it will support his long con) he would make everyone come to Pyongyang to kowtow to the regime. I hear the Who singing "Won't Get Played Again."  Nut no one is listening.

 

21. N.Korea's Sub-Launched Missiles 'Could Disable THAAD'

english.chosun.com· July 16, 2020

We should not misinterpret the CRS report here.  

I do not think the report is saying the SLBMs are going to specifically attack THAAD.  I think it is saying the north is trying to develop systems that cannot be detected and destroyed by THAAD or Patriot PAC-3. Of course they could use an SLBM to attack the THAAD battery but I think there are likely other strategic targets for it especially if they miniaturize a nuclear warhead and place it on an operational SLBM. The bottom line is the north wants to develop missiles systems that THAAD and Patriot cannot defeat. This is the challenge with missile defense.  Once you develop a defense capability for a specific threat the adversary is going to try to develop a capability for which you have no defense rendering your current missile defense capability ineffective.  To that end there is merit to ROK Kill Chain and the Japanese desire for a "first strike" offensive capability.  It is best to attack the missile/launcher and all its supporting infrastructure before it can launch its missiles.  This has long been an integral part of US planning to counter ballistic missiles: target the launcher, the potential launch sites, the refueling and remaring sites, the hide sites, and the storage sites (and production facilities as well).  But none of these will prevent the north's first use unless there is an early political decision to conduct a preventative strike and that is unlikely to happen in democratic countries like the US, the ROK, and Japan.  And even then to borrow from the old air power theorist the bomber (or missile) will always get through." (Douhet).

 

22. Time for America to Listen to Moon Chung-In

The National Interest · by Daniel R. DePetris · July 16, 2020

Moon Chung-in is an appeaser. I suppose if you think we should end the alliance and remove troops from the peninsula you could listen to Moon (in 2018 he wrote there would be no justification for US troops if there was a peace agreement - https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/north-korea/2018-04-30/real-path-peace-korean-peninsula).  He wrote this "What will happen to U.S. forces in South Korea if a peace treaty is signed? It will be difficult to justify their continuing presence in South Korea after its adoption."  He must not be aware of the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty that makes no mention of the north but only states the two countries will defend each other from threats in the region.  The justification for continued presence of US troops after a peace treaty is one of mutual decision by both countries if each deem it in their national interests. 

If you want to sacrifice South Korea to the north you could listen to Moon Chung-in.  If you want South Korea to come under Chinese domination you could listen to Moon Chung-in. If you want to "give away the farm" (or billions of dollars) to north Korea in the naive hope that it will negotiate in good faith you could listen to Moon Chung-in. If you want to see the successful execution of Kim Jong-un's long con you can listen to Moon Chung-in.  If you want conflict and war on the Korean peninsula you could listen to Moon Ching-in.  Of course when war happens we can be sure Moon will be in the US with his son who is now an American citizen.

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

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

 

"In Korea the Government forces, which were armed to prevent border raids and to preserve internal security, were attacked by invading forces from North Korea....The attack upon Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war." -President Harry Truman

 

"Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy."

 - Sun Tzu, The Art of War 

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

 

1. U.S. imposes visa restrictions on certain employees of Chinese technology companies that abuse human rights

2. America's campaign against Huawei is finally paying off

3. Taiwan thwarts Chinese 'invasion' in five-day live-fire drill

4. America should prepare for a double pandemic

5. Why the Trump administration's win over Huawei could be bad news for TikTok

6. FDD | Big increase of Palestinian terrorist members, supporters in Germany

7. Esper issues new diversity memo but leaves out topic of Confederate flag, other divisive symbols

8. Anger in Japan as US army bases report mounting Covid-19 outbreak

9. America's eerie lack of debate about China

10. The damage of disinformation: A glaring omission in the U.S. global health security strategy

11. Banning Huawei's 5G tech in the UK was the easy bit. Now it gets messy

12. The truth about the US-China Thucydides trap

13. Congress considers adding cyber security position in the White House

14. The United States needs a new foreign policy

15. Sharpening the U.S. military's edge: critical steps for the next administration

16. Lost cause: A special forces soldier's case for leaving Afghanistan

17. Wrestling with fog: on the elusiveness of liberal order

18. A combat role for the Space Force: Why the newest armed service should own cyber warfare

19. A hard year in a long war without end

20. Column: My daughter isn't going back to college. I am relieved and heartbroken

21. Book review - fire in the jungle (Resistance in the Philippines WWII)

 

1. U.S. imposes visa restrictions on certain employees of Chinese technology companies that abuse human rights

state.gov · by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State · July 15, 2020

2. America's campaign against Huawei is finally paying off

Bloomberg · by Eli Lake · July 16, 2020

Diplomacy is hard work. I am sure this took some real finesse to make this happen. Or the UK just had an epiphany.

3. Taiwan thwarts Chinese 'invasion' in five-day live-fire drill

The Guardian · by Agence France-Presse · July 16, 2020

War in Taiwan will be bloody, brutal, and terrible. I hope deterrence works.

4. America should prepare for a double pandemic

defenseone.com · by Ed Yong

A fascinating read that should cause us to think critically about the current and future global health challenges. I think things will get worse (and may not get better - or at least may not return to life as we knew it).

5. Why the Trump administration's win over Huawei could be bad news for TikTok

CNN · by Brian Fung

The "predatory" app deserves some bad news. 

6. FDD | Big increase of Palestinian terrorist members, supporters in Germany

fdd.org · by Benjamin Weinthal · July 15, 2020

This headline makes me think of the 1970s and 1980s. I will never forget my one time being pulled over in a civilian vehicle at a checkpoint with the Polizei. It was quite an experience. We were returning from an exercise in a rental van (non-US military) and although we were in uniform, we had M16 rifles and other military equipment in the back. It took about 45 minutes for them to determine we were in fact US military personnel. It was the longest 45 minutes of my life as every time I turned my head to one side (with my hands on the vehicle and feet spread) I could see the MG34 machine gun pointed directly at us.

7. Esper issues new diversity memo but leaves out topic of Confederate flag, other divisive symbols

The Hill · by Ellen Mitchell · July 15, 2020

The Department is moving ahead on trying to solve some racial discrimination issues.

8. Anger in Japan as US army bases report mounting Covid-19 outbreak

SCMP · by Julian Ryall · July 16, 2020

The Army gets blamed for everything. :-) How many Army bases are there in Japan (and especially on Okinawa)? I have not used all the fingers on one hand to count them all. But the headline editor does not know the details.

9. America's eerie lack of debate about China

Financial Times · by Janan Ganesh · July 15, 2020

Does that mean there is consensus that China is a revisionist power and will be treated as such?  

But these statements are interesting (and important): "The absence of such voices now is disconcerting. For it means that policy is not being refined and stress-tested through argument." and "America's ultimate advantage is the raucousness of its public discourse." I did not know raucousness could be an advantage. But seriously, public discourses, debate, and disagreement is healthy for us. I like the concept of "stress testing" through argument. It seems to me our current form of public discourse prevents real arguments that can be productive. It is better described as attacking the other side.

10. The damage of disinformation: A glaring omission in the U.S. global health security strategy

thestrategybridge.org · July 16, 2020

Yes we should be very worried about this. But we are sometimes our own worst enemy. We have American who believe the disinformation and conspiracy theories. I cannot believe how much I observe on social media that seems to follow this disinformation.

11. Banning Huawei's 5G tech in the UK was the easy bit. Now it gets messy

Wired · by Matt Burgess · July 15, 2020

Note the potential power of Nokia and Ericsson.

12. The truth about the US-China Thucydides trap

geopoliticalfutures.com · by George Friedman · July 14, 2020

We can never get enough of the Thucydides Trap. An interesting conclusion from Mr. Friedman. "So I think the Thucydides concept, while valid, doesn't apply to this case."

13. Congress considers adding cyber security position in the White House

myfox8.com · by Shannon Smith · July 16, 2020

Can Congress really organize the President's NSC for him?

14. The United States needs a new foreign policy

defenseone.com · by William J. Burns 

An initial interview for the SECSTATE position in a new administration? Seriously, this is a run down of Mr. Burns' assessment of the foreign policy challenges.

15. Sharpening the U.S. military's edge: critical steps for the next administration

cnas.org · by  Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz 

If there is change in administrations will Ms Flourney be our first woman SECDEF?

16. Lost cause: A special forces soldier's case for leaving Afghanistan

The Federalist · by Robert Gast · July 13, 2020

This is quite a critique with a powerful conclusion: "An immediate withdrawal must be demanded, and with no excuses. After 19 years, $2 trillion, more than 20,000 wounded, and almost 2,000 killed, it's time to end the war in Afghanistan". I can imagine the debates in Master Sergeant Gast's team room.

17. Wrestling with fog: on the elusiveness of liberal order

warontherocks.com · by Patrick Porter · July 15, 2020

Ah... the false promise of the liberal order (which is the title of the author's book). But I like the "wrestling with fog analogy. "

18. A combat role for the Space Force: Why the newest armed service should own cyber warfare

mwi.usma.edu · by Ethan Brown · July 16, 2020

This is quite an argument. So cyber has outgrown the combatant command but needs a service component for execution? But it is our combatant commands who conduct operations not service components.

19. A hard year in a long war without end

mwi.usma.edu · by Robert Cassidy · July 15, 2020

20. Column: My daughter isn't going back to college. I am relieved and heartbroken

Los Angeles Times · by Mary McNamara · July 15, 2020

Something so many of us are wrestling with (and yes this is probably also like wrestling with fog-I am going to use this analogy a lot I think.). Our daughter goes back to college in a month. We are worried.

21. Book review - fire in the jungle (Resistance in the Philippines WWII)

sof.news · July 16, 2020

I will be ordering this and adding it to my "to read" pile.

 

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"So the realm of strategy is one of bargaining and persuasion as well as threats and pressure, psychological as well as physical effects, and words as well as deeds. This is why strategy is the central political art. It is about getting more out of a situation than the starting balance of power would suggest. It is the art of creating power."

- Lawrence Freedman, Strategy: A History

 

"You've got to think about big things while you're doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction."

- Alvin Toffler

 

"Do not feel entitled to anything you do not sweat or struggle for."

- Marian Wright Edelman