Israel/Syria, North Korea/Japan

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/4/2006 7:28:44 PM

Problems, problems, problems.  As we celebrate our nation's independence, we should keep in mind that we live in a dangerous, interconnected world.  Today, we've got volatile and potentially explosive situations in the Far East and the Middle East. 

First, North Korea has test-fired a long-range missile, the Taepodong-2, which is believed to have the potential of hitting the western United States.  The North Koreans also tested several other missiles, at least three of which reportedly fell into the Sea of Japan.  Not surprisingly, Japan is worried, with that country's Chief Cabinet Secretary stating, "This is a grave problem in terms of peace and stability not only of Japan but also of international society."  Not good.

In the Middle East, meanwhile, the crisis over Hamas' abduction of an Israeli soldier threatens to grow into a broader regional conflagration, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) raising the alert level along Israel's border with Syria.  Yesterday, Israel's Defense Minister, Amir Peretz, warned that Syrian President Bashar Asad would be held personally responsible if the Israeli soldier were harmed ("We will know how to reach everyone involved in the kidnapping and everyone who is responsible for his fate").

Two parts of the world, two dangerous situations. It looks like diplomats, spooks, and possibly generals will be very busy in coming days. 

P.S.  These recent events represent yet another example of why we need people like Jim Webb, who understand national security and foreign policy issues so well, in positions of leadership.

Comments



Agree with the P.S. (Dan - 7/4/2006 8:54:50 PM)
There are so many problems and nothing but chickenhawks and ignorant, campaign-contributor serving A-holes.  People like Jim Webb are essential to helping us solve these crises.  Good call.


Alaska, not the West Coast (teacherken - 7/4/2006 9:03:13 PM)
and not Hawaii  and not even most of Alaka.  The Aleutians and the western part of the mainland part of the state.

And that's only if it works.  Administration has hyped this beyhond any reason in an attempt to justify its wasteful expenditures on our missile defense system, which by the way has been no more successful in its tests that has the Taepong II.  The only time we hit the target is
- when the interceptor knows when the missile it is to hit is fired
- when it knows the trajectory of the missile it is to hit
- when there is a transponder on the missile to be hit

and even when all of those conditions are true, our antimissile system does NOT have a 100% success rate.

Anyone see a problem?



I'm Certainly Glad (Curlew - 7/4/2006 9:19:14 PM)
I'm certainly glad that Iran is a threat and North Korea isn't.  I'll bet all of North Korea wishes they had oil so they could be a threat also.


The US needs to stop (summercat - 7/5/2006 4:57:14 AM)
throwing money at the SDI, which will never work, imo.  Where are the Democrats on this boondoggle?