Missile Defense Quick Links for Thursday
•••• The Korea Times reports that the U.S. and South Korea will meet to discuss rogue state North Korea and other issues. President Barack Obama will select an envoy to North Korea, who will have to deal with that country’s obstinate leaders. (The Korea Times)
•••• The discussion comes just in time. Sources report that North Korea is set to test-launch a ballistic missile capable of reaching Alaska and perhaps the West Coast.
A Korea Institute for Defense director, Baek Seung-joo said, “The missile is pointing at Obama. North Korea thinks that with such gestures they can control U.S. foreign policy.” (LA Times)
•••• Russia and NATO disagree over Russia’s plans to base troops in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia.
“The short version of this is that they agreed to disagree…The exchange of views on Georgia was very frank, was very clear, and certainly there was not a meeting of minds on that issue,” said a military alliance spokesman. (Tehran Times)
Last year, Russia invaded Georgia after the country invaded South Ossetia. Weeks after the violence, Russia and Georgia negotiated a cease-fire. Russia claimed troops that remained in the region afterward were peacekeepers and part of the cease-fire agreement.
Tags: Georgia, NATO, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, South Ossetia