Sawraj
Singh
THE rising tensions in Korea and an increasingly
defiant Iran pose a very serious challenge to
America. These two countries not only threaten
the regional American interests but can also upset
the American global strategy. South Korea and
Japan are very important countries for America
to contain the growing influence of China. These
two countries are the only two Asian countries
with important military bases and a large number
of American troops.
Two recent events have tremendously raised tensions
in the Korean peninsula. Former President Roh’s
suicide and the North Korean nuclear tests and
missile tests. President Roh was the first leftist
president Korea ever had and he is also the first
Korean leader to commit suicide. Roh wanted to
fundamentally change the conservative and pro
American policies of the Korean elite. His election
campaign slogan was “Not to kow tow to the
USA”. He echoed the sentiments of the youth,
the ordinary people and the underprivileged people
in Korea. It was under Roh’s leadership
that China became the number one trading partner
of South Korea.
The rightist pro American military business
complex did not like his policies. The new president
reversed Roh’s policies and revived the
pro American, anti China, anti Third World and
anti people traditional policies. Roh was moving
forward towards the Korean reunification. His
policy toward North Korea was called the policy
of Sunshine. South Korea was helping the North
financially and the contacts between the two were
rapidly growing. However, the current administration
has reversed that policy and the tensions between
the two Koreas are rising to a point that an armed
confrontation has become a distinct possibility.
Many people in Korea blame the new president
for persecuting Roh and his family under the pretext
of investigating them for corruption. Because
they believe the charges are politically motivated
and are responsible for Roh’s suicide. There
is great anger among the people and thousands
of people are showing support for Roh.
North Korea has conducted nuclear tests and
continues to test its new missiles. This really
puts a lot of pressure on South Korea and Japan,
the closest American allies in the region. North
Korea remains defiant to the U.N. and there is
very little chance of revival of the six party
talks to reduce tensions in the Korean peninsula.
The tensions may escalate and a missile or a nuclear
attack by North Korea is not to be completely
ruled out. South Korea and Japan will be too much
preoccupied with North Korea and will be unable
to do much for containing China.
Iran is also becoming increasingly defiant and
is posing a formidable challenge to Israel, the
main American ally in the Middle East. Over the
last two decades, Israel has been constantly losing
influence in the Middle East. The Hezbollah defeated
Israel in Lebanon and Israel was unable to score
a clear victory against the Hamas. Iran has emerged
as the leading power in the Middle East and has
become the main supporter of the Hezbollah and
the Hamas. Iran has tested missiles which are
capable of reaching Israel. Iran continues to
develop its nuclear capability. Russia and China
view Iran as a potential ally against the alliance
of America, India and Israel. The growing influence
of the Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan
and Pakistan will not only endanger Pakistan but
will seriously affect India’s capability
of helping with the efforts to contain China.
Meanwhile China continues to increase its influence.
It just replaced America to become the largest
trading partner of Brazil, the most powerful country
in South America. As America will be kept busy
by North Korea, Iran and the Islamic fundamentalists,
China continues to advance in Asia, Afghanistan
and South America.
[The writer is M.D. F.I.C.S. and Chairman
Washington State Network for Human Rights]
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