I don’t see a huge difference from considering the last 100 years, since the Russian Revolution or as early as the late 20s concerning China. Certainly beyond the Cold War itself.
We have partnered part of that time and battled part of it. But the underlying reality is that neither would compare to our relationship with the UK or Canada.
The big lurking question is to whether or not supporting N.Korea in the security counsel translates into help on the battle field. We have 3 carrier groups posted outside the Korean peninsula. That is no small build up. We are poised to attack quickly. Depending on what N.Korea does, I do wonder how interested in helping them China and Russia really are. They seem like the bratty little cousin you have to take in, even though you hate his guts. That’s my pity analysis on China/ Russia /N Korea relations at the current time.
Further, this build up does not appear to be opposed by China or Russia, yet. But getting this real important information is frustratingly difficult to find in the day and age where someone’s tweet is front page news, instead of real issues.
@treco, that’s true. We’ve never had a history of alliance with China, and I was thinking about Reagan/ Gorbachev/ Thatcher days for better Russian relationships. Considering the amount of trade we do, we sure act like we’re friends with China. More info about N Korea funds itself.
From the article above. I had no idea about all the N Korean workers abroad. See bold text at the bottom, emphasis mine. Good grief.
Pyongyang maintains diplomatic ties with 164 countries and has embassies in 47, according to the National Committee on North Korea, a Washington-based nongovernmental organization, and the Honolulu-based East-West Center.
Although it lags far behind China, India has been North Korea’s second biggest trade partner in the past couple of years, buying commodities including silver and selling it chemicals among other goods. Russia has exported petroleum products to North Korea and imported items such as garments and frozen fish. Last year, North Korea attempted to export military communications equipment to Eritrea via front companies in Malaysia, according to a recent U.N. report.
Most North Koreans abroad are involved in providing funds for the state, defectors say. One of the primary roles of North Korean diplomats is to help develop and maintain cash flows for the regime, according to former embassy officials. North Korea missions typically have to be self-financed to maximize revenue for the state, these people say.
In recent months, under pressure from the Trump administration, there are signs more countries have begun to clamp down on North Korea. In February, Bulgaria had Pyongyang send home two diplomats in its embassy in Sofia, in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions passed in September calling on countries to reduce the number of North Korean diplomats abroad.
Italy this year moved four North Koreans studying at the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste to switch to less-sensitive majors in line with a Security Council resolution calling for member nations not to provide education that could aid Pyongyang’s weapons program.
In March, Senegal said it suspended issuing visas for artisans from North Korea’s Mansudae Art Studio, a state-run organization that has erected monumental sculptures across Africa.
More than 50,000 North Korean workers are employed abroad, according to the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a Seoul-based think tank, many in construction or factory jobs. For these workers, wages are paid directly to North Korean officials, raising hundreds of millions of dollars a year for the state, human-rights groups say.
No link, but I saw an article saying test missiles had a hollow nose cone.
Implication being that DPRK is advancing to a point of either multiple warheads or chaff to confound anti missile defense.
Pretty serious and in my arm chair opinion, will not end in any peaceable way.