1/18/24 Tim Shorrock on the Dangerous and Avoidable Escalations with North Korea
Jan 20, 2024
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Tim Shorrock, an expert on North Korea and its relations with the US, discusses the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula. The podcast explores missed opportunities for a nuclear agreement, North Korea's shift in foreign policy, and the influence of China on America's policy. It delves into the history of US-North Korea relations, including offensive cyber attacks and key figures in Biden's policy. Shorrock also highlights his book and Patreon.
The US has escalated the situation with North Korea by forming an unprecedented trilateral alliance with South Korea and Japan, which has alarmed North Korea.
Successive US administrations have failed to pursue meaningful diplomacy with North Korea, instead prioritizing denuclearization as a precondition for negotiations.
Deep dives
North Korea's nuclear capabilities and escalating tensions
The podcast episode discusses the current tensions surrounding North Korea's nuclear capabilities. It mentions estimates that North Korea may possess around 50 nuclear bombs, which is higher than previous estimates. The episode also highlights how the US has escalated the situation by forming an unprecedented trilateral alliance with South Korea and Japan, which has alarmed North Korea. The hosts mention the failure of previous attempts at peace talks and the negative role played by the US in exacerbating tensions. They argue that the focus on North Korea's military buildup ignores the significant escalation by the US and its refusal to engage in diplomatic negotiations.
US policy and its role in the conflict
The episode criticizes the US policy towards North Korea, arguing that successive administrations have failed to pursue meaningful diplomacy. They highlight how the Democrats, including Biden, have been intransigent on this issue, refusing to negotiate without denuclearization as a precondition. The hosts point out that US actions, such as military drills and alliances with Japan and South Korea, have contributed to the current tensions. They criticize the American military industrial complex and its interest in maintaining a confrontation with North Korea for justifying military bases and massive military spending.
Origins of the conflict and danger of war
The episode traces the origins of the conflict with North Korea to the Bush administration's refusal to engage in negotiations and the subsequent escalation under subsequent administrations. They emphasize the importance of looking back at the failed agreements of the past, such as the one signed by Clinton, which had the potential to normalize relations with North Korea. The hosts argue that American policy has provoked North Korea into developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent. They also express concern over the danger of a potential war, given North Korea's nuclear capabilities and the provocative actions of the US.
Tim Shorrock joined Scott on Antiwar Radio this week to discuss North Korea. Although the news has been dominated by Israel and Ukraine, tensions have been rising on the Korean peninsula as well — especially as Biden has worked towards remilitarizing Japan. Shorrock and Scott discuss what’s happening, look at how close we got to a deal under Trump and revisit why this is all George W. Bush’s fault.
Discussed on the show:
“An Open Letter to Independent Lens about ‘Beyond Utopia’” (Medium)