This morning, I was wondering about all those news stories that seem to get no coverage in the American media, but which are extremely important nevertheless. Here are just a few:
1) After the failed launch of their ICBM -- excuse me, their satellite rocket -- the North Koreans were reputed to be preparing for another nuclear test. These same crazy folks also threatened to incinerate Seoul leaving only ashes where the South Korean capital stands. Since then, I have seen no coverage of the story at all. It might be nice to at least hear what, if anything, the Obama administration is doing with regard to North Korea. Do we have a policy on this rogue state? If so, what is that policy?
Some of you may just assume that American policy remains the same. Please remember, however, that the Obama policy on North Korea was to promise them a quarter of a billion dollars of food aid in exchange for some promises about their nuclear weapons programs which we immediately violated. In other words, the Obama policy was a total failure. We ought to know what policy Obama has adopted to replace the failed one.
2) Argentina is becoming exceedingly nationalistic; the worry is that the country is moving towards a dangerous place. In the last few months, the Argentine president has renewed claims to the Falkland Islands despite the islanders expressed desires to remain a British protectorate. Argentina just nationalized a whole series of oil and gas assets including both the production and refinery sectors. The assets belonged to a european company, but the process is a threat to all foreign investment in the country. Some think that the actions by the Argentine government are designed to win support from the people despite the poor economic conditions.
Does anyone know what the policy of the Obama administration is towards the new Argentine millitancy. We know that Obama indicated that he would be neutral in any confrontation regarding the Falklands. After all, why would the USA support self determination for the people of an area; it would be too much like supporting democracy. Just because the people of the Falklands have voted repeatedly to stay with Britain is no reason, in Obamaland, to support that result. We know nothing, however, about America's position on the seizure of the oil and gas assets.
Even if the press does not cover these events, the USA still needs to have a policy regarding them. Obama has to take time out from campaigning to do his job.
3) There is occasional coverage of the continuing upheaval in Egypt. There is a presidential election going on in that country, but the militants are still busy protesting against the millitary. If it continues, we may well see the army delay the voting until calm is "restored". The way things go in Egypt, that could take a decade or two. Obama was quick to announce that Mubarak had to go, but since then he has basically ignored events in Egypt. Egypt is too important for America to be silent. We have to have a policy towards it even if that policy is just to say that we are staying out of it. (That, by the way, is not my choice for a policy.)
There are many other areas like these. It would be nice to know that America actually has a policy regarding them, but then again, we have to be realistic. After all, it is an election year and the president is busy.
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