Newsbud: "Asian States Play the Murder Card; Is the War Card Next?"

North Korea and the recent assassination of Kim Jong Nam has caused tension in Asia. North Korea continues to enhance its nuclear weapons program. Nam was once assumed to be Western connected and had the protection of China. North Korea's sudden revival of missile launches is a reaction to US military action in various areas of the globe. Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen have been attacked by the United States. This has made authoritarian regimes more eager to get nuclear weapons. China does not want to see North Korea become a nuclear power,because that could mean a potential rival. The United States would further damage its strength if it attempted an invasion considering other conflicts are still ongoing. There is now talk of US and North Korean officials starting a dialogue. The instability in Afghanistan is causing India, Pakistan, China, and Russia to have tension. The Taliban has never been eliminated and there may have to be a peace settlement with the group. China has an alliance with Pakistan, which causes poor relations with India. Chances of Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif reaching a consensus are limited as long as Afghanistan remains a failed state. India may try to wedge China away from Pakistan, but this only becomes more of a detriment. The Shewan Shrine attack has only complicated matters. The string of terrorist attacks have only gotten worse in Pakistan, which demonstrates radical political Islamism  is only growing. Asia could be heading to a major military conflict. This most be prevented at all costs through skillful diplomacy and negotiation.