Free Republic

There was something oddly disproportionate about the just-concluded nuclear summit to which President Obama summoned 46 world leaders, the largest such gathering on American soil since 1945. That meeting was about the founding of the United Nations, which 65 years ago seemed an event of world-historical importance. But this one? What was this great convocation about? To prevent the spread of nuclear material into the hands of terrorists. A worthy goal, no doubt. Unfortunately, the two greatest such threats were not even on the agenda.

Apr 15, 2010 Japan PM aide hits out at slight TOKYO - YUKIO Hatoyama's top aide on Thursday criticised a US newspaper column which labelled the Japanese premier the 'biggest loser' at a major nuclear summit hosted by US President Barack Obama. 'It seems somewhat impolite as an expression addressing the top leader of a country,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told a regular briefing, referring to the column published in The Washington Post on Wednesday. The Washington Post article was highlighted by Japanese media on Thursday. Hatoyama, whose approval rating has slipped below 30 per cent in some polls...

TOKYO — Two Chinese submarines and eight destroyers were spotted by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force on Saturday in the high seas between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island in the southernmost prefecture, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said Tuesday. The defense chief said the Chinese submarines and destroyers were navigating southeastward, adding that Tokyo has never before confirmed such a large number of Chinese vessels near Japan. The Joint Staff Office of the Self-Defense Forces later said that Chinese submarines were seen on the sea surface near Japan for the first time and that Beijing had not notified...