Legal Commentary

Obama: U.S. Will Defend South Korea

By Jeralyn

Are we going to enter yet another war? President Obama tonight addressed the crisis in South Korea. Does he mean diplomatially or militarily?

So far, no troops have been repositioned. But, Obama wouldn't speculate on U.S. military options.

Washington has relatively few options when dealing with Pyongyang. Military action is particularly unappealing, since the unpredictable North possesses crude nuclear weapons as well as a huge standing army. North Korea exists largely outside the system of international financial and diplomatic institutions that the U.S. has used as leverage in dealing with other hostile countries, including Iran.

What are North Korea's objectives? A war or just more concessions? How will China respond? And is Kim Jong Il's recent anointment of his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, as his heir apparent make a difference?

Full post as published by TalkLeft on November 23, 2010 (boomark / email).