Free Republic

Friday, April 12, the US raised its nuclear alert status to DEFCON 3, Condition Yellow (out of 5 levels), stating “There are currently no imminent nuclear threats against the United States at this time, however the situation is considered fluid and can change rapidly.” Many believe that North Korea will launch their test missile on or about April 15. Japan has instructed its armed forces to shoot down any North Korean missile that heads toward its territory. Contrary to comments from the White House Thursday, the Pentagon reported that “North Korea probably has nuclear weapons that can be mounted on...

The Obama administration says China is increasingly frustrated by the provocative actions of North Korea and Secretary of State John Kerry will try to convince leaders in Beijing that Pyongyang is, as one senior administration official said, “putting China’s own interests at risk.” Briefing reporters on Kerry’s plane as he flew from London to the first stop on his four-day Asian tour, that official and a senior State Department official said the administration is urging China to use its leverage with the North “otherwise it is very destabilizing.” Specifically, the officials said the United States wants Beijing to “stop the...

“No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains,” said President Xi Jinping on Sunday at a regional forum hosted by Beijing. Immediately, global media interpreted the remarks as a rebuke of North Korea. The New York Times, for instance, called Xi’s words “an indirect but clear criticism of China’s longtime ally.” Has Beijing finally made the switch from supporting Pyongyang to siding with the international community? Most everyone thinks so. After all, who else could Xi have been referring to on Sunday? (snip) Not so fast. On Monday, Foreign...

Kerry to seek diplomatic ‘off-ramp’ for North Korea WASHINGTON (CNN) — When he visits Asia later this week, Secretary of State John Kerry will discuss potential diplomatic incentives for North Korea once it stops its bellicose rhetoric and threatening behavior, senior administration officials tell CNN. Officials warn any resumption of talks with North Korea is premature, and could only come once Pyongyang adheres to its international obligations. But they say Kerry hopes the new emphasis on diplomacy will give the North Koreans a face-saving way to de-escalate the current situation.