New York Times (August 10)
“Mr. Trump has again made himself the focus of attention, when it should be Kim Jong-un, the ruthless North Korean leader, and his accelerating nuclear program.” His “threats have also diverted attention from a genuine accomplishment, the new Security Council sanctions.” This is a time for “prudent, disciplined leadership…. Rhetorically stomping his feet, as he did on Tuesday, is not just irresponsible; it is dangerous.”
Tags: Attention, Dangerous, Disciplined, Diverted, Irresponsible, Kim, Leadership, North Korea Nuclear program, Prudent, Ruthless, Sanctions, Security Council, Threats, Trump
Washington Post (February 22)
“There is a danger that as other pressing concerns about North Korea accumulate — nuclear weapons, missiles, cyberattacks — the world will lose interest in the human rights disaster.” Ideally, “North Korea’s leaders should be held accountable” and referred “to the International Criminal Court for investigation of crimes against humanity.” At present, however, a Security Council referral looks doomed to veto by China or Russia. For the time being, the UN must continue “to investigate human rights abuses in North Korea, with an eye toward identifying who in the regime’s leadership is responsible for the horrors so that they can eventually be held to account.”
Tags: Abuses, Accountable, China, Crimes against humanity, Cyberattacks, Disaster, Human rights, International Criminal Court, Investigation, Leaders, Missiles, North Korea, Nuclear weapons, Russia, Security Council, UN, Veto
The Economist (March 30)
“India is often spoken of in the same breath as China because of its billion-plus population, economic promise, value as a trading partner and growing military capabilities.” Yet, in the common view, India remains a near power, rather than a great power. Despite shortcomings, India has much to offer and deserves a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. “Although poorer and less economically dynamic than China, India has soft power in abundance. It is committed to democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights. As a victim of jihadist violence, it is in the front rank of the fight against terrorism.” India would be “a force for stability and an upholder of the rules-based international system.”
Tags: China, Democracy, Human rights, India, Permanent seat, Security Council, Terrorism, UN
Wall Street Journal (May 10)
Both the U.S. and South Korea “responded prudently and calmly” in the wake of the March sinking of a South Korean ship, which killed 46 sailors. With the investigation uncovering evidence of North Korean wrongdoing, a firm response is in order. A military strike is too risky, but the two countries can hold more vigorous joint military exercises, delay transfer of an operational command from the U.S. to South Korea, and pull out of the Six Party Talks. In addition, Seoul should suspend all economic cooperation and the U.N. Security Council should pass a resolution condemning North Korea. “Now is the time to demonstrate the strength of joint resolve, not weakness.”
Both the U.S. and South Korea “responded prudently and calmly” in the wake of the March sinking of a South Korean ship, which killed 46 sailors. With the investigation uncovering evidence of North Korean wrongdoing, a firm response is in order. A military strike is too risky, but the two countries can hold more vigorous joint military exercises, delay transfer of an operational command from the U.S. to South Korea, and pull out of the Six Party Talks. In addition, Seoul should suspend all economic cooperation and the U.N. Security Council should pass a resolution condemning North Korea. “Now is the time to demonstrate the strength of joint resolve, not weakness.”
Tags: North Korea, Security Council, South Korea, U.N., U.S.
