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Kns / AFP - Getty Images
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a military base in the southern part of the country, in a recently released, undated photo from the country's official news service.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning to travel to Tehran next week, in his first overseas visit since taking over after his father's death in December, South Korea’s Yonhap and Arirang news services reported on Wednesday.
Iran’s spokesman for the Non-Aligned Movement Summit confirmed that Kim would attend a meeting of the 120-member Non-Aligned Movement scheduled for Aug. 26-31, according to Seoul-based Arirang.
North Korea watchers have keenly tracked the movements of Kim Jong Un, about whom virtually nothing was known when he was installed in the top posts of the authoritarian regime in Pyongyang.
In recent months, by adopting a different style than his late father Kim Jong Il, he has sparked a flurry of speculation that he might reform the country's rigid economic and social structure.
In July, Kim started appearing in public with an attractive woman who was later announced to be his wife Ri Sol Ju. Kim's recent appearances at an amusement park and with school children have made the young leader — thought to be 28 or 29 years old — seem more approachable than his father.
Last week, Kim's uncle Jang Song Taek met with top leaders in Beijing, fueling predictions that Pyongyang would put in place economic reforms like those launched in China three decades earlier.
But by making his first foreign visit to Iran — a country nearly as estranged from the rest of the world as his own — Kim gives no sign of a foreign policy thaw.
The Non-Aligned Movement was set up at the height of the Cold War by nations that did not want to side with NATO or the Warsaw Pact Nations. Hosting the summit, held about every three years, rotates among the 120 member nations, including .
About 40 world leaders have confirmed they will attend the summit in Iran, according to the English-language Tehran Times, while another 60 were expected to send lower level officials.
The Obama Administration has said Iran doesn’t deserve to host the summit given its failure to comply with international demands to open up about its nuclear program and has urged U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon not to attend. He has asked nations that are attending to pressure Tehran to come clean, the Associated Press reported Monday.
North Korea also has a nuclear program, the details of which are the topic of much analysis and speculation in the West.
U.S. efforts to engage Pyongyang ended abruptly when Kim Jong Un announced a planned missile launch shortly after agreeing to a deal freezing nuclear development in exchange for food from the United States. The launch failed, but discussions remain on hold. Analysis of recent satellite imagery by the Institute for Science and International Security suggest that the country’s construction of nuclear facilities is accelerating.
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Leave a Comment:
O K israel the time is right. nuke both assho with one missle.
Those brown nosing Generals in ALL photo's with this guy, are smiling as if their very lives depended upon it.!...oh WAIT, they do.!!!
How about learning about Nuclear Weapons.
Do you want to start a Thermonuclear War (aka WWIII, the Final War), as the Allies of the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, Chinese currently have Military Units at Iran.
David...
The ignorant seem to think that nuclear war is some kind of freaking video game and the worst that can happen is getting a "GAME OVER" message if you lose.
The one and only time nuclear weapons were used was when only we had them and even then they were used to end a war, not start one. Invading mainland Japan would have been mass slaughter to our troops. Truman knew that, so he took the action needed to avoid that.
It is a different world now and I hope the young and old alike understand that the nuclear option can and must only be used as a last option. This is not a video game.
yep mudhen. my thoughts exactly.
@OneOfTheSane
Problem is, I don't think the neocon warmongers are in touch with reality.
Flatiron- partisan comments are unnecessary, knowledge is. Agreed that the nature of nuclear proliferation has changed over the years- first as a devistating means to end a war, then a means to prevent war, and now a threat to obliterate.
Let's look at the situation over there: Iran is calling for the end of Israel (as well as the "west" especially the US), actively developing and testing their nuclear and missile programs, and supporting anti-US/Israel/West regimes worldwide. North Korea has been actively giving Iran nuclear technology and assistance in weapons development. Russia has been actively been developing Iran's nuclear program with them and have very strong trade alliances.
Iran is actively attempting to keep Assad in power in Syria, are attempting to arm those in Gaza, and actively attempting to set up alliances with Middle Eastern countries in preparation for an attack on Israel in the name of Islam (note the Saudi's meeting with Iran recently, etc.). I think it's clear that they are setting up for a war. Also note that small/midsized weapons are flowing across to Gaza from Egypt, breaking treaties (as noted in recent reports).
This is how I expect it will play out: I think Israel will realize that their "Western" allies don't have it's back and the UN won't attempt to assist them anymore and attempt a strike on Iran. Once that happens the muslim nations around it will align and we'll start seeing attacks from all angles if not one massive attack from all fronts including nuclear weapons from Iran. I would not be surprised if the Israeli military is hampered by missile strikes from all angles (reports of shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles in Gaza)- note that Israel is a very small country, about 15-20 miles across so the range of small and medium sized missiles will have huge range. Israel wll likely use their nuclear weapons against Iran (and possibly others).
Repercussions: Oil will skyrocket on the international market, trade through the Sinai will essentially stop, and Iran will likely attempt to shut off the Persian Gulf. There will be massive death in the region and the potential for massive nuclear damage (both literal destruction and fallout). The UN will impotently criticize the Iranians and the Israelis, while Russia and China vow not to endorse military actions against Iran or in the region. If it all happens quickly and devistatingly it may be a matter of reaction rather than intervention.
Don't underestimate how bad it could get.
Yesss, let's kill two birds with one stone! And then there was peace!!!!
to David 45--- You don't understand a friggin thing..It is a religious edict issued by the Mullahs to destroy the great Satan-the US and little Satan-Israel..Now, understanding how fanatical how the mulims are what in the he## do you think is going to deter them?? The little fat guy is going to Iran to trade oil for nuclear assistance. Dumazz. China and Russia aren't going to do a da## thing..Russia's Putin can't build the old Soviet Union from ashes and China can't afford for us not buy from them..Those are the facts.
One thing I'd also add to JoeNY's post is that the Mideast's Sunni countries really don't want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, to the point where Saudi Arabia is letting Israel set up an air base on their territory. What's more, Saudi Arabia is on record saying that, in the event that Iran gets the Bomb, they will also get one. That's right folks, a nuclear arms race in the Mideast. What could possibly go wrong?
Oh, and it gets better: if it looks like Israel is about to be destroyed, they may exercise what is called the Samson Option, where it will launch its entire nuclear arsenal not just at the forces destroying it, but at their enablers (Russia, China, etc.).
Let me make myself clear: I don't think the U. S. should attack Iran at this time. Sanctions and espionage should be given time to work, with an eye towards a more successful repeat of the 2009 Green Revolution. I just wish that the Chomskyites would realize that the world isn't as black-and-white as they think it is.
To one of the sane..The very minute Iran develops nuclear capacity they will use it..It is ordained that armagedon aka an Islamist holy war waged on Israel will hasten the coming of Mohammed. The Iranians are just trying to hasten his return..better take a minute and read the Quran(sp) or how ever the he## you want to spell it. It's all the same..death to Christians and Jews worldwide...After all the only good infidel is a dead one..Oops that's their own teachings too.
Annual meeting of CHAOS?
40 to 60 countries attending the summit in Iran. And,somehow, Mr. Obama thinks sanctions are going to stop Iran's nuke program? Man that WH beer must be made from some mighty powerful ingredients.
The Obama Administration is upset because Mr.Obama wasn't invited to apologize to the 60 countries on behalf of America..
@ KingK...
I don't think you can fault Obama for at least trying to make sanctions work as a first option. We have been at war for 11 years straight right now.
Our troops are worn to a frazzle. We need to retool much of our armament. The cost would be enormous. These three reasons alone make sanctions worth a try. Obama will not let Iran develop a working bomb. Furthermore, common sense says Israel will not let that happen.
Another point is, I hope we have learned from both Iraq and Afghanistan that invading a country without an exit strategy as Bush did, is NOT a really smart idea. That is part of the reason we are STILL in Afghanistan.
@ TigerBoy...
Your statement is just plain BS. Despite all the talking heads on FOX and Limpballs propaganda, I challenge you to give me even one direct quote of Obama apologizing for anything that was not justified to do so.
Give us one example of when sanctions have ever worked. You mean like the sanctions imposed on Cuba years and years ago? Or on Libya years and years ago?
Give me a reason to go start another war right right now. We and Israel both have a close watch on the situation. If you think we should go in right now, may I suggest you enlist immediately so as to give our exhausted troops a hand.
Chickenhawks like you always scream the loudest for war.
There you go again.........putting words in my mouth. You and I are done. I tried to explain nicely the reason for my post but just like Obama you cannot get your facts right. I never said a thing about going to war. And I served my time back in the 60's friend. You and I are done. I will not argue with a fool because you will always beat me with your vast experience. Bye.......................................
KingK, It's called "kool aid"
That is true; however, you NEVER negotiate from a position of perceived weakness, like President Obama did with his March 2009 Iran Policy that allowed the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran to do anything without US Interventions (and they did after the Ayatollahs of Iran basically told President Obama no "empty words" (negotiations).).
Just so that you KNOW (my Firsthand experience), the reason that the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia outnumber the "Modern", "Liberal", "Pro Western" Sunnis, is that the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia believe in shoot first, as the dead do not complain and negotiations are just empty words. Fundamentalist Islam basically Shia akaSharia Law, Holy Koran as Law, Hadith (Ancient Islamic Customs) as Laws. The Sunnis believe in the Fiqh (Logic) as Law, negotiations first, modernization as far as can be allowed, use of force as a last resort (usually will have someone else do that), etc..
The RESULTS (not opinions) of President Obama's March 2009 Policy: a. The Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran starts Overtly training with their Special Forces, Quds, and supporting the Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadists of the Fundamentalist Islamic Autonomous Kurdistanis Region of Northern Iraq as their "Proxy Fighters"., b. The Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran supports the Overthrows of US Allies Worldwide., c. US Allies Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, Africa, etc. are Overthrown., d. The Fundamentalist Islamic Muslim Brotherhood negotiates with the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran for access to the Strategic Suez Canal before the Egyptian Revolution., e. Former US Ally Gaddaffi is Overthrown by the Fundamentalist Islamic Libyan Islamic Fighting Group aka the Rebels, the Ally of Iran, the Chinese get the Libyan Oil as negotiated by Qatar, the US European Allies lose this Strategic Oil. The Guantanamo Islamic Jihadists of President Obama are released from Gaddaffi's Prisons. The Islamic Jihadists obtain 20,000 Shoulder Launched Anti Aircraft SA-7 Missiles to shoot down US Commercial Airlines. f. The US Ally Government of Afghanistan is pressured by the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran to negotiate the High Tech Mineral Wealth of Afghanistan required for the current US High Tech Standard of Living with the Iranian Ally, the Chinese, China Meturlugical Group or Iran will Overthrow them. g. Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran places pressure on the US Ally Government of Pakistan to get the US out of Pakistan or be Overthrown. h. US Ally President of Yemen flees Yemen, the Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadist supported by the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran start to reopen the Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadist Training Camps. i. More Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadists of the Fundamentalist Islamic Taliban, Fundamentalist Islamic Al Quada, Fundamentalist Islamic Hamas Foreign Fighters, Pakistanis Taliban, Haqquini Network, Army of Islam, etc. armed with 21st Century weapons, ammunition, equipment, funding, etc. as supplied by the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran bought from the Chinese and Russian Federation with Iranian Oil start flooding into Afghanistan., j. The Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran pressures the Islamic Shia Government of Iraq, NO more negotiations with President Obama or SOS Clinton for the US to remain at Iraq, and must negotiate with Iran's Allies the Chinese and Russian Federation for the Northern and Southern Iraqis Oil Fields (the US and US Allies lost the Iraqis Oil that could have paid for the US Military Liberation of Iraq with Decades/Centuries of Iraqis Oil).
Too f**king late, in 2010 when the US Ally Saudi Arabia was Begging President Obama, nothing, except President Obama sent Secretary of Defense Gates to placate the US Ally Saudi Arabia. So the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran finished building their Underground Facilities below the maximum threshold of current US and US Allies Weapons Systems, below the key number as 250 feet. As during the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, SALT, START, etc. it was believed that if the enemy's C4I (Command and Control) or Political Leadership were destroyed (underground) that no one would be left to call of or stop an all out Thermonuclear War (Earth Ending Event), so the Designs, Manufacturing Processes, CNWDI, TELs, actual weapons, etc. were destroyed as monitored and verified by the US and USSR as if they never existed or ever designed.
LOL. You don't even know when Iraq and Afghanistan even started, nor do you even know the average duration of an Asymmetric War (American Revolutionary War (beginning), Vietnam, Somalia, South and Central Americas, Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq) versus Conventional War (WWI, WWII, Korean Conflict).
That is true as only 1% of US Citizens are currently Serving in the US Military. Of that 1% of US Citizens of the US Military, only 1% are trained and experienced in Asymmetric Warfare the majority are Conventional Warfare. Ever since before the defeat of the USSR, it was stated (trained) that the next Wars would be Asymmetric and NOT Conventional Wars.
President Obama as Commander In Chief Ordered the current Reduction In Forces (RIF) of 90,000 US Military Personnel to be thrown on unemployment, meaning less personnel and more deployments and longer tours. President Obama has directly negotiated the US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces to remain at Afghanistan for Decades after the US Military Conventional Warfare Forces depart 2014.
Sanctions are isolationist and an act of war.
So what is your solution, King K?
As a leader, he compares to Obama, worthless and distrustful.
Your statement shows both your obvious hatred of Obama and your ignorance of reality. Whether you like Obama or not, comparing the leader of the free world to a totalitarian, Stalinist dictatorship with an elaborate cult of personality around the Kim family with one of the lowest-ranking human rights records of any country in the world is ludicrous.
BTW, I spent 18 months in South Korea while in the Army. I know a bit about which I speak.
Spending 18 in the Army in South Korea and making the statements you did have no relationship at all. In other words to make those statements does not require any first hand knowledge of the Korean peninsula.
GCCal... FYI, both North and South Korea are part of the peninsula... DUH! I spent most of my time there patrolling the DMZ in M60-A1 tank in 74-76. People like you only open your mouths to spew ignorance.
Double duh.......I know they are both part of the same peninsula. Patrolling the border still has absolutely no significance when it comes to the statements you made to wilson. Don't like my post, put me on ignore. Not difficult to do. And please try to read what my posts really say, not what you think they say in your infintile intepretation.
And I was not belittling you service at the DMZ. Rather I was stating it had no significance in your response to wilson.
Triple duh..... One can not spend 18 months in that environment and not come away with an intricate understanding of both the dynamics of the situation and the root cause of what is now a 60 year old stand off. The South believes in democracy. The North is a totalitarian State.
Good night to you, sir.
You were isolated on a military post in S. Korea for 18 months so therefore you completely understand what N. Korea is all about? How much time did you spend in N. Korea, soldier? What you learned is what the military taught you. You couldn't spend 18 months in Kansas on vacation and truly understand Kansas culture, dynamics, economies, politics, religion, etc.
What peninsula?
Mario? Seriously?
Ummmmm, The leader of North Korea going over to Iran. Funny kind of makes me think that Iran is making the materials for a bomb, And North Koreea is the ones building a bomb. Isreal "Obama is wrong" And i do like the president but anough is anough Isreal do your thing
Which president do you like?
I do believe the word is enough, not anough. Perhaps English is not your best subject.
guess it all depends where ya come from... a-nough or e-nough same same.
along with enuff, times......same, same, same. McCrary just likes to be correct because I am sure he never makes a mistake.
Other than China what other country would he go to ? Cuba, Syria, they have nothing. What is this freeze nuclear development in exchange for food from the US ? Does he think the US is going to give them food just because their army is getting hungry ? Give being the operative word. Get your food from China buddy that's where our jobs went to.
The United States provides food to the populous of North Korea as they do not have the means to produce enough produce to support their population. The United States has been providing Aid to North Korean civilians in the form of food as a part of their contribution to the United Nation's mandatory foreign aid clause. Furthermore it's an attempt at demonstrating a continued and active support for human rights even to countries that oppose us, in otherwords, we don't harm the civilian for the actions of his or her government.
They're probably comparing bomb designs they both got from russia.
Know yous jumping the gun yet we will all know next week or so==coyote
poor north koreans the fat boy keep the food for himself!!!
The phrase the enemy of my enemy is my friend is a proverb that advances the concept that because two parties have a common enemy, they can work with each other to advance their common goals. Often described as an Arabic proverb, there is also an identical Chinese proverb.
In foreign policy, it's a doctrine commonly used to interact with a significant enemy through an intermediary rather than through direct confrontation.
And then they turn back on each other.
It should be mandatory that all members of Congress, the President and his staff read the Art of War. One thing you do not do is feed your enemy. This is a game to North Korea and they are winning it. There are enough hungry people in this country. Shut off Foreign Aid and invest that money here.
This is going to be bad. N Korea is going to give Iran the key to the last piece of the nuclear warhead puzzle.
Or show them where to google it.
It will be all about nukes & cash for NK. It would be great to rid the world of nukes, maybe after the next nuke war!
He's there to sell missiles ...for the past few years Iranian missile technicians have been attending North Korean missile tests...The North Koreans have been teaching them missile warfare...
The largest person in North Korea. It's a new record! Considering 95 percent of the country is malnourished. Why don't we just invade his stupid country and give it back to all Koreans, let South Korea take control.
End Iran NOW... wait longer and enjoy nuclear bliss
poor kiddies still thinking obama is in the wrong. bush ruined this country for 8 years and you expect him to clean it up in 4, but while he tries, he's doing historical things (guantanamo, osama, staying in contact with the country) while bush just went golfing and ignored all problems.
Oh my, harry................even Obama made the statement if he can't clean up the mess in 4 years he will be a one term president. By the way he promised to close gitmo...which he did not, end the war in Iraq which he finally did.....and Afghan....the purpose was to get OBL. Once that occurred, we should have immediately pulled out of Afghan but he did not. And sure he really stayed in contact with the country when he and dems rammed health care down our throats.
Several facts are missing from this article. First - The United States and South Korea are once again fermenting war on the Korean Peninsula by conducting joint invasion preparation military exercises directed against the DPRK. Once again the United States government shows the world that are not in the least bit interested in peace and stability only in destabilizing the entire world and pursuing a foreign policy of war mongering. If the United States was interested in peace and stability in Asia and the world they would not be conducting war games contrary to the cease fire agreement, but opening a peaceful dialog with the DPRK. Due to this development the DPRK has withdrawn from the Cease Fire agreement signed at the end of the Korean War.
The United States government is hell bent on starting World War III. If not in Iran then the DPRK or Syria. I guess Obama feels safe with the construction of those new underground bunkers beneath the White House and can care less what happens to the rest of us. President Putin of Russia has in no uncertain terms told Obama that Obama would be responsible for unleashing WWIII. Obama is George Bush on steroids, so much for the Nobel Peace Prize which has been reduced to a bad joke.
Must be nice to live your life in BS.
If Iran were interested in peace they wouldn't be conducting war exercises such as they do from time to time..
Yea right. Start WWIII. Just what every rational person on the planet wants. What tripe. Read your own post. Makes no sense.
And the libs called Bush stupid for labeling North Korea and Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil." Who is looking Stupid now?
North Korea and Iran. Two peas in a nut pod. Two fanatical Presidents who appear to be metally disturbed and are a threat to peace and stability worldwide.
It should be obvious by now that Iran and North Korea have been allied for years. If we attack Iran to eradicate their nuclear sites, there is no doubt in my mind this will be a green light for a million North Koreans to cross that DMZ and wipe Seoul off the planet.
Perry, we have a few underground sites in South Korea that would assure the defeat of the North if it came down to it. Trust me on this one.
It would be a last resort but the fact remains.
The world is ripe for a WW3..Mankind is going to get to what they ask for..
This is quite the interesting pairing. A Stalinist era, atheistic hard line communist.... teamed with a reactionary Muslim state headed by religious psychopaths. Visions of a Ribbentrop-Molotov security pact???
Too bad Charies Manson doesn't have his own personal country. If he did, he wouldn't be in jail but he's be comrade-in-arms, thanks for the country Dad, president for life. Then I could invite him over for dinner. You know, hey, when your only other friends are Russia, China, and Syria, I guess you can't be choosy who comes over to visit.
For what? A Beelzebub convention?
Probably went there for the same reason Hitler visited Mussolini.
NK has shown it can master advanced technologies without outside help. NK under the new Kim will change track and become more like China and balance its military might with economic and financial muscle.
Without help? Dude, they just followed the EMP bomb designs provided by russia. That's why the blast was so small. The bomb needs to fit on the smaller missile build by; oh, iran or NK, in order to reach the US.