Blog Response: Environmental/Political Issues
Recently, other than global warming, another new issue has cropped up that has a profound effect on the world. This is North Korea and the recent pact to freeze all nuclear activities.
The Advent Against Terror
This deal is significant because it marks the end of a tumultuous 3-year effort by US, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea to halt North Korea's nuclear programme. Moreover, just two months before, North Korea held its first nuclear test, shocking the world with this revelation. That marked the zenith of tension between Pyongyang and the rest of the world.
This should come as a relief yet surprise to every person, especially Pyongyang's direct neighbors.
Feeling Sorry for N. Korea
This deal is a win-win situation for both North Korea and the world. China had a great part to play in the success of the deal, acting as an intermediary for both parties, luring the defiant Koreans back to the negotiating table and softening the United States' tough stance on North Korea.
Honestly, I feel sorry for the North Koreans civilians. They are a widely discriminated lot, being collectively labelled as terrorists by US when ironically, most are starving and struggling to survive each day. To make matters worse, US stopped supplying food aid to North Korea, not knowing that the real sufferers are the citizens on the street as the Korean leaders can easily import food via their international underground links. President Kim do not care about the malnourished child on the street, so why should US deprive the ordinary Korean of much-needed food aid?
However, this anomaly was patched when the European Union and US recently blocked all exports of luxuries like abalone, seafood, electronic products to Korea to 'deprive' the Korean regime head honchos. This should be done earlier, rather than affect the poor and innocent Korean.
Pyongyang Down, Teheran Next?
The brokerage of the deal represents a milestone in nuclear disarmament. US has certainly learnt not to be too rash when she deals with North Korea, especially after attacking Iraq because of the presence of “weapons of mass destruction” which up to today have not been found.
Just a few months ago, Iran admitted its nuclear capability, but the US was careful not to attack the oil-rich Gulf state so readily.
Firstly, oil. Iran is the second largest producer of oil after Saudi Arabia, and any attack would certainly shake up the whole petroleum industry. With the US economy so sensitive to the price of oil, its economy will surely come to a standstill.
Secondly, Middle Eastern tension. The feud between Americans and Muslims in the Middle East has not subsided yet. If the US attacked Iran, Muslim countries will come out in full force against US. Unlike Iraq, Iran has an operationally-ready army with battle-hardened and tough generals at its helms.
Again, I am no political analyst but I can foresee that the US would no doubt think twice before attacking Iran lest the whole Middle East stops supplying it the elixir of life - oil.
(500 words)
The Advent Against Terror
This deal is significant because it marks the end of a tumultuous 3-year effort by US, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea to halt North Korea's nuclear programme. Moreover, just two months before, North Korea held its first nuclear test, shocking the world with this revelation. That marked the zenith of tension between Pyongyang and the rest of the world.
This should come as a relief yet surprise to every person, especially Pyongyang's direct neighbors.
Feeling Sorry for N. Korea
This deal is a win-win situation for both North Korea and the world. China had a great part to play in the success of the deal, acting as an intermediary for both parties, luring the defiant Koreans back to the negotiating table and softening the United States' tough stance on North Korea.
Honestly, I feel sorry for the North Koreans civilians. They are a widely discriminated lot, being collectively labelled as terrorists by US when ironically, most are starving and struggling to survive each day. To make matters worse, US stopped supplying food aid to North Korea, not knowing that the real sufferers are the citizens on the street as the Korean leaders can easily import food via their international underground links. President Kim do not care about the malnourished child on the street, so why should US deprive the ordinary Korean of much-needed food aid?
However, this anomaly was patched when the European Union and US recently blocked all exports of luxuries like abalone, seafood, electronic products to Korea to 'deprive' the Korean regime head honchos. This should be done earlier, rather than affect the poor and innocent Korean.
Pyongyang Down, Teheran Next?
The brokerage of the deal represents a milestone in nuclear disarmament. US has certainly learnt not to be too rash when she deals with North Korea, especially after attacking Iraq because of the presence of “weapons of mass destruction” which up to today have not been found.
Just a few months ago, Iran admitted its nuclear capability, but the US was careful not to attack the oil-rich Gulf state so readily.
Firstly, oil. Iran is the second largest producer of oil after Saudi Arabia, and any attack would certainly shake up the whole petroleum industry. With the US economy so sensitive to the price of oil, its economy will surely come to a standstill.
Secondly, Middle Eastern tension. The feud between Americans and Muslims in the Middle East has not subsided yet. If the US attacked Iran, Muslim countries will come out in full force against US. Unlike Iraq, Iran has an operationally-ready army with battle-hardened and tough generals at its helms.
Again, I am no political analyst but I can foresee that the US would no doubt think twice before attacking Iran lest the whole Middle East stops supplying it the elixir of life - oil.
(500 words)
Labels: english
posted by Brian Ho at
12:14 AM
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