Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | TuneIn | RSS | More

Show Summary: This week we look at geopolitics and the drivers and issues behind what’s happening in North Korea. Could China want the conflict to continue? And why?

Did you miss the Show? You can download the podcast but you should go here to find out when, where, and how to listen so you don’t miss the next.

Air Dates: July 8 & 9, 2017 | Dr. Tim Ball

Too many times the dance of geopolitics does not start off with a waltz, as is such the case of North Korea, who launched an ICBM this week that had the potential of reaching Alaska—not to mention China, Russia, and Japan.  No longer can we be a wallflower of diplomacy as we did in Obama’s presidency by refusing to dance with our partners. North Korea chose an aggressive tune, which changed what America’s response must be.  But what does North Korea want and what do they expect to gain by firing off a highly threatening ICBM?  And why is China quietly standing by and at times working overtime to prop up this rogue nation even as they attempt ever more deadly attacks on other innocents?

That’s our discussion this week: the motivations behind the actions taken by these nations and the cascade of changing politics based on the moves of the others.

Geopolitics looks at the borders and the resources, history, and politics within those border, as well as the interaction of countries. Borders are manmade but they define a country’s assets and, because they are manmade, they at times separate and divide people and cultures which can have long-term and far-reaching effects, including separating a country from what they feel they need to survive.  We look at unanswered questions of borders of sea and sky —and who makes these decisions?  Our main focus is North Korea and China. Could China have a reason to keep the Koreans divided? We discuss this and much more this week with our guest Dr. Tim Ball, an expert on geopolitics and the agreements, or disagreements, the come over time.

We also dissect the president’s trip to Poland and why it was the perfect background to discuss the role of geopolitics in Europe.

Links and More Information

• Trump finally turns on Russia as he warns Putin to STOP his aggression in Syria and Ukraine (Daily Mail, July 6th 2017)
• Alaska lobbies for defense boost after North Korea launch (The Hill, July 5, 2017)
• The Spratly Islands APAC 2020 (The Diplomat, 2010)
• Why Are China and Japan Sparring Over Eight Tiny, Uninhabited Islands? (National Geographic, October 2012)
• North Korea builds mystery artificial islands perfect for missile launches (News.com.au, May 5, 2017)
• * Oil reserves ignite the explosive issue of sovereignty in the East China Sea (EuroNews, Dec. 2013)
• U.S., Russia Spar Over Approach to North Korea Threat (WSJ, July 5, 2017)
• In North Korea, ‘Surgical Strike’ Could Spin Into ‘Worst Kind of Fighting’ (NYT, July 5, 2017)
• Could America shield Alaska from a North Korean missile? (Daily Mail, July 6, 2017)
• Trump Considers ‘Severe Things’ Over North Korea Threat (WSJ, July 6, 2017)
• North Korea launches missile it claims is ICBM, likely hitting Japanese waters (CNBC, July 4, 2017)
• U.S. Threatens Trade With Countries Over Support for North Korea (Bloomberg News, July 5, 2017)
• North Korea launched new kind of missile (CNN, July 5, 2017)
• U.S. prepared to use force on North Korea ‘if we must’: U.N. envoy (Reuters, Jul 6, 2017)
• ‘Welcome to Hell’: Thousands of activists prepare for huge G20 protest as Porsche dealership is torched and 20,000 police are put on standby (Daily Mail, July 6, 2017)
• South Korea Lets Loose A Barrage Of Missiles After North Korean ICBM Test (Daily Caller, July 6th, 2017)