Tidbits: S. Korea, Ashcroft, Iraq, and Arafat By Andrew L. Jaffee, June 5, 2003	Home   Search   Forum   Terms

I'm starting something new at netWMD today: A sporadic column called "Tidbits." First, I want to quickly summarize a number of important events (as opposed to devoting an entire column to one subject). Secondly, I want to stimulate discussion in our fledgling Forum. Here goes. Enjoy!

S. Korea - U.S. troops to be moved 75 miles south of DMZ: In a joint statement released today, U.S. and South Korean officials announced that U.S. troops will be moved at least 75 miles south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which has separated South Korea from North Korea since the Korean War, about fifty years ago. Some in S. Korea worry that this move will embolden the bellicose communist North. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has said that this is just part of a "global realignment" of U.S. troops. I've got to wonder if there is more to this move--in terms of politics. Are we trying to get our allies to take more responsibility for their own defense? Or is the U.S. sending a strong message to allies like S. Korea? The message being, "We're not happy with some of your people's anti-American sentiment." Or, "We're not happy with your attempt to placate an evil dictatorship like N. Korea." Discuss.

Attorney General Ashcroft - Has power gone to his head?: Ashcroft today asked Congress for more legal powers in fighting terrorism. His testimony drew concerned comments from both Republicans and Democrats, some of whom worry about giving the Justice Department too much power. A recent investigation by Justice's own inspector general found "'significant problems'" in the Bush administration's actions toward 762 foreigners held on immigration violations after the [9/11] attacks." Do you think Ashcroft is going too far or that more "war powers" are needed to keep the U.S. safe from terrorists? Discuss.

Iraq - Another American soldier killed: Yet another U.S. soldier was killed today in Iraq. Five others were wounded. This attack occurred in the town of Fallujah, which has been a hotspot for anti-American activities since Operation Iraqi Freedom began. Too many American kids have been killed in the last few weeks. As a result, the U.S. has bolstered its military presence in Fallujah. Is this bloodshed avoidable, or should we just get used to these loses as part of the occupation of Iraq? I'm all for hanging in there and doing what needs to be done, but more and more body-bags coming home will probably erode American public support for the occupation. What should we do? Discuss.

Arafat - Already trying to derail the peace process: Yasser Arafat today condemned the peace conference held in Jordan yesterday attended by President Bush, Israeli PM Sharon, Palestinian PM Abu Mazen, and Jordanian King Abdullah. I think Arafat is just unhappy because he wasn't invited. He also has no interest in any type of peace with Israel. Do you think Israeli/Palestinian peace is possible? Discuss.