Abraham Denmark writes: First, deploying THAAD to the Korean peninsula should be seen as a purely defensive response to the growing threat of North Korean ballistic missiles. Second, the United States should be clear that the problem is not THAAD — the fundamental problem is North Korea, its continued belligerence, and its ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Washington and Seoul would not need THAAD if the threat of Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles were not so great. Third, the United States should be unequivocal in its commitment to work with its allies to ensure that its military posture is sufficient to defend them. This means that if North Korea continues on its course, THAAD may just be the beginning. – Foreign Policy’s Shadow Government
- North Korea doubles size of uranium-enrichment facility
- Trump administration weighing broad sanctions on N. Korea
Joseph Bosco writes: President Trump, who prides himself on being the ultimate deal-maker, can start collecting on the debt the PRC incurred to Nixon and his successors whose policies helped build China into the economic and military powerhouse it is today — and into the “Frankenstein” monster Nixon had feared he’d helped create. – Taiwan Sentinel
- Ely Ratner: Tilleson bumbles around east Asia
North Korea has likely mastered the technology to power the different stages of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and may show it off soon, analysts say, but it is likely still a long way from being able to hit the mainland United States. - Reuters
Ely Ratner writes: The Trump administration will get a do-over on China policy when Xi eventually visits. But this shouldn’t be rushed. Senior posts first need to be filled at State and Defense. Public statements have to be consistent and coordinated. A China strategy should be developed, embedded in a comprehensive approach to the region. The media has to be more effectively managed to shape and sell the message. And the administration needs to spell out its overall approach to Asia to build confidence that it knows what it is doing. As of today, Trump isn’t ready for Xi, and Tillerson’s rhetorical blunder should serve as a wake-up call that there’s still work to do on several fronts. - Politico
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