N Korean Konundrum
The Marmot has a post with two blogger ideas for dealing with North Korea. They are both worth a read.
The first, Unilateral Magnanimity, is an interesting and creative idea. Of course you we would be relying on the Kim Jong-Il regime letting its people be aware of the fact that the goods were coming from the US. I am uncertain of this bearing out in reality. With complete state control of all media and communications [except for the occasional illegal cell phone near the Chinese border] this is doubtful. I am more inclined to believe he would somehow take credit for it as Another Example of How the DPRK has Shown Its Productive Might(tm). Take a look at some of the “news” they beam out over those state controlled airwaves here.
The second, North Korea Disarmament In Four Cold-Blooded Steps, is a little more realistic, but has at least two holes after a quick review. He overestimates both Kim Jong-Il’s rationality and balance and underestimates the Iranian national pride and the commitment of the Mullahs to get the bomb [especially with the Great Satan on three of their borders: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. See map here.]
Though I absolutely agree with this point:
Right now, the United States’ policy toward North Korea isn’t “Big Carrot” like the Europeans’ policy has been toward Serbia or Turkey; it isn’t “Big Stick” like the United States’ current policy toward Syria. Our current North Korea policy is “No Carrot, No Stick, Lots of Whining.” North Korea’s never responded to whining.
Methinks there is only one way for us to deal with Krazy Kim: the Chinese. The Chinese can put pressure on him in numerous ways–from cutting off all trade/aid and watch the regime implode or collapse rapidly to setting a coup in motion from the inside. Either way, it would be a huge with for the world and a huge diplomatic/political win for the Chinese with the International Community. The question is: what deal do we have to cut for them to do it?
Frankly, I would love to see us closer to the Chinese. Would love to see more Chinese on peacekeeping missions. They want to be recognized as a global power? I say let ‘em–and let ‘em shoulder all the responsibilities that brings.