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President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan has announced a group of Afghan officials who will spearhead talks with the Taliban in the latest attempt to tamp down violence in that country. A statement from Mr. Karzai’s office Saturday said the creation of the High Peace Council was a “significant step toward peace talks.” It said members [...]
Archive for the ‘Asia’ Category
PRC Continues Harangue Against US-ROK Exercises
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 28th, 2010
The English language edition of the People’s Daily continues to “reprint” articles that protest the scale of US-ROK exercises designed to deter the DPRK from continuing acts of aggression. Will the record-setting size of the military drills and stronger alliances with the US provide Seoul with the security it is looking for? North Korea, already [...]
Will the PRC Buy US Out?
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 28th, 2010
The People’s Daily English language edition has reprinted and translated an article from Xinhua that accuses the US of unfair practices because we are blocking several joint ventures on national security grounds. The United States has repeatedly blocked investment from Chinese companies on national security grounds, a protectionist move that will only harm its own [...]
Kim Jong Il in China?
Posted by Matthew Avitabile on August 26th, 2010
There are rumors flying around that the reclusive dictator of North Korea is in China for talks with the PRC leadership. Another rumor states that Kim has brought his son, Kim Jong Un, who may be succeeding him upon his death or incapacitation.
Renminbi to Become a World Trade Currency
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 26th, 2010
The Financial Times is reporting that several major international banks are hosting “road shows” touting the Renminbi as the currency to use to settle trades with the People’s Republic of China. A number of the world’s biggest banks have launched international roadshows promoting the use of the renminbi to corporate customers instead of the dollar [...]
India Leasing Russian Nuclear Sub
Posted by Matthew Avitabile on August 20th, 2010
India, the world’s most populous democracy, is taking a large step by leasing a nuclear submarine from Russia. This is in preparation for India to launch its own nuclear submarines: The lease contract, estimated at some $900 million, was drawn up following an agreement between Moscow and New Delhi.
North Korean Economy Suffering
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 7th, 2010
JoongAng Ilbo is reporting on two different articles on the North Korean economy that it is suffering. In the first article, JoongAng reports that the North Korean economy may suffer from inflation if the North expands the money supply. North Korea could face inflation as its regime may seek to expand fiscal spending to assuage [...]
Iran Tells South Korea not to Join Sanctions
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 7th, 2010
JoongAng Ilbo is reporting that the Iranian ambassador has threatened South Korea with a loss of business if they implement the new sanctions against Iran. In an exclusive interview with the JoongAng Ilbo, Mohammad Reza Bakhtiari warned that Korea will risk losing substantial economic benefits in Iran if it follows the U.S. lead. “If restrictions [...]
USS George Washington to Sail in the Yellow Sea
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 7th, 2010
Joongang Ilbo is reporting that the USS George Washington will indeed participate in naval exercises in the Yellow Sea. “The USS George Washington will exercise in the Yellow Sea, in the West Sea,” Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters in Washington Thursday, “but I don’t have for you yet dates when that exercise involving [...]
North Korea Threatens Physical Response
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on August 3rd, 2010
JoongAng Ilbo is reporting that North Korea has threatened a “physical response” to South Korean maritime exercises. Despite North Korea’s threat of “powerful physical retaliation,” South Korea said yesterday it will go ahead with a planned drill in the dangerous waters west of the peninsula. Starting tomorrow, South Korea will hold anti-submarine drills for five [...]
Netherlands Withdraws From Afghanistan
Posted by Matthew Avitabile on August 1st, 2010
The Netherlands has begun withdrawing its 2,000-strong force from Afghanistan, ending its mission in that country. After a divided Parliament was elected in June, no agreement could be reached on keeping troops in that country. The withdrawal plans were sudden and done without public announcement. Of course, this will hurt ISAF plans to keep Afghanistan [...]
Rice Up. NK Won Down
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on July 31st, 2010
NKDaily is reporting that the price of rice in North Korea has gone up. The rice price, which is the standard by which to observe the lives of the North Korean people, continued to rise rapidly during July. Indeed, both rice prices and exchange rates have risen three-fold over the month. On the 30th, in [...]
Posted in North Korea 
Tags: North Korea, North Korea: Agriculture, North Korea: economy 
No Comments »PLA Navy Stages Major Exercise in the South China Sea
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on July 29th, 2010
The People’s Daily is reporting that the People’s Liberation Army Navy has conducted major exercises in the South China Sea. A top military officer has warned the Chinese military to keep a close eye on the changing situation amid a large-scale naval exercise in the South China Sea, held at the same time as a [...]
North Korean Economy Dead?
Posted by Richard Radcliffe on July 29th, 2010
Chosun Ilbo is reporting that North Korea’s economy has come to a halt since the currency revaluation. Radio Free Asia on Wednesday quoted a member of an American NGO who recently visited the North to deliver aid as saying shops in Pyongyang are empty, there are few foreigners in hotels, and construction has come to [...]
New Sanctions Placed on North Korea
Posted by Matthew Avitabile on July 21st, 2010
These new restrictions are from the United States, not from the United Nations as a whole. And as usual, sanctions will most likely not cripple the Stalinist dictatorship, but are a step forward. Secretary of State Clinton announced the new sanctions while visiting South Korea. The U.S. will freeze assets as well as prevent some [...]
