Kwame Nkrumah And Jawaharl Nehru Address International Concerns At the Non-Aligned Conference (1961)

 

Kwame Nkrumah and Jawaharl Nehru addressed the Non-Aligned Conference about growing concerns regrading the tension between the superpowers. The leaders of Ghana and India had much influence in the Third World and were hoping to be a mediating force between the US and U.S.S.R. Non-alignment was designed to be its own power block. It did not favor  either of the superpowers. During this period the possibility of a nuclear war was a growing concern. This is why Kwame Nkrumah  demanded that both superpowers disarm. A series of treaties were needed. Jawaharl Nehru expressed that the world should be preparing for peace, rather than war. Only then would global security to achieved . The Third World would find itself being a battleground for Cold War confrontation. Nkrumah's government would be deposed by a CIA backed coup. The Indo-Pakistani Wars would divide Asia. Wars and conflict have been a part of history. What was different about the 20th century was that nuclear war could result in humanity's eradication. Africa and Asia did not have nuclear arsenals like the superpowers. Leaders were conscious of the reality that such weapons could be used in a recolonization effort. 

J. Robert Oppenheimer Discusses The Use Of Nuclear Weapons (1965)

 

J. Robert Oppenheimer did have regrets about the creation of nuclear weapons. At the time, it was thought it was the fastest way to end World War II. The ethics of killing Japanese civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki continues to be debated amongst historians. Large investments were made in building the atomic bomb, so at some point was going to be used. It was an estimated 2 billion dollars.  Using such a weapon was also a means of threatening the Soviet Union. Oppenheimer does not hide the fact that all scientists had different opinions about the project and nuclear weapons. Some hoped that the war would be over before the atomic bomb was completed. The hope it was not going to used in a war. J. Robert Oppenheimer understood the world would not be the same and that the use of  atomic energy posed risks. His efforts at regulation of atomic energy was met with resistance. He was a victim of the anti-communist witch hunts in the early 1950s. As a result he lost his security clearance and was no longer allowed to work in US government. Nine countries have nuclear weapons in the world today. The technology will spread and it makes J. Robert Oppenheimer's arguments about atomic energy regulation more relevant.   

Choe Son Hui Has Become Foreign Minister of North Korea

 

North Korea has selected a new foreign minister. Choe Son Hui will now have the position in the DPRK. The move comes as tensions are rising in Asia. Choe has experience in the diplomatic service. She was one of the major figures in nuclear negotiations  with the United States. Those talks have not advanced the reduction of tension between the two countries. North Korea could easily be caught up in the US-China competition in the Pacific. North Korea has currently embarked on an arms buildup in response to regional developments. The country has conducted nuclear tests and it should be assumed at some point it will obtain an arsenal. The reason for the nuclear program is to deter US military action. North Korea might be a target for US regime change operations. Sanctions have not stopped North Korea's nuclear programs or arms buildup. The Asia pivot policy has worsened relations between China and the US. North Korea can exploit this situation by showing it is of vital interest to China. The foreign policy vision that Choe Son Hui has is not exactly clear. Considering that she was part of earlier talks there might be a chance for an agreement. The nuclear envoy to the US did not produce favorable results. One objective of Choe Son Hui could be to get the United Nations sanctions lifted. One demand that was made last year was an end to in her words "hostile US policy." This was in response to military drills conducted with South Korea. Choe Son Hui is the first female foreign minister of North Korea. The rise indicates that women are getting more power in the regime.

Abdul Qadeer Khan Explains The Reasoning For Pakistan's Atomic Weapons Program

 

Abdul Q.  Khan ( 1936-2021) was the responsible for Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. He explains the reason that Pakistan needed nuclear weapons was a means to balance the power with India. India had a larger army, navy, and air force. Khan claims that in 1998 Pakistan was capable of making a nuclear strike on New Delhi. India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974. This alarmed Pakistan, so it sought to develop atomic weapons of its own. The defeat in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 made the country change its national security policy. The Khan Research Laboratories were established in 1976. By the end of the 20th century India, Pakistan, and China had nuclear weapons. Abdul Q. Khan was later accused of selling nuclear secrets to other nations. It was discovered that he sold secrets to Iran, North Korea, and Libya. Nuclear proliferation among nations will continue to be an issue among various regions of the world. Khan was pardoned by Pervez Musharraf  in 2004. The more conservative political circles considered Khan a national hero. Others believe that nuclear power should be used for peaceful purposes, rather than military applications. 

Kim Jong Un's Health

Kim Jong Un has fallen ill and some have speculated about his condition. It would be presumptuous to assume that he is in critical condition. Kim Jong Un underwent surgery allegedly for a heart condition and has had a difficult recovery. The concern is that if he were to pass away, North Korea could become unstable. Japan would have more concern about this considering its objection to its nuclear weapons program. China also has significant investment in North Korean affairs and has sent a medical team to advise Kim. This may actually embolden the US to take more aggressive military action. The desire for regime change has never gone away, which became more intense during the Bush administration. President Obama had a policy of strategic patience, President Trump has vacillated between diplomacy and bellicose rhetoric. Besides external threats to North Korea, the question of a successor becomes a problem. So far, it has been members of the Kim family that have ruled North Korea. Commentators have stated the likely candidate could be his sister Kim Yo-Jong. At the moment it can not be certain that North Korea is going through a sudden change in leadership.    

Kim Jong Un Receives President Xi Jingping

Kim Jong Un hosted a state visit in North Korea for President Xi Jingping. It has been awhile since a Chinese leader has visited North Korea. This was more than just a mere exchange, rather a significant turning point. China may be more willing to give North Korea a higher degree of military and economic assistance. There may be several reasons for this. China may contemplate with the current tensions with Iran that the US is willing to go to war with other countries over nuclear weapons programs. That would mean North Korea could be made into a target of possible military action. Another factor is the Trump administration increasing aid and arms sales to Taiwan. President Obama was willing to do this for Taiwan and President Trump continues a the process. President Xi Jingping may see President Donald Trump's efforts at an agreement on nuclear weapons a means to undermine China's influence on the Korean peninsula. Both North and South Korea under American influence combined with a militarily stronger Taiwan poses a problem for Chinese foreign policy. Simultaneously, the US and China are engaged in a trade war. China wants to confront the US by either undermining nuclear agreement efforts or force North Korea to reconsider new negotiations. North Korea may be a way for China to show resistance to tariffs and penalties directed at Huawei. The trade war if it continues may escalate into economic warfare and by extension lead to an actual military conflict. China may also be investing more in North Korea as a counter to the US pivot to Asia. The pivot to Asia was established during the Obama administration seeking to expand American influence in the Asia-Pacific region. President Xi Jingping's meeting with Kim Jong Un was more so an expression of support and to stop US interference in Asia. Collaboration will only become strong as long as their is belligerence from a more aggressive US foreign policy. Kim Jong Un seems to have survived sanctions and threats of war. Securing China's assistance ensures that his regime will remain strong despite possible US attempts to depose him. If an agreement on nuclear weapons is to be reached it must be a bilateral affair between North and South Korea. There were rumors that Kim Jong Un wanted Xi Jingping to deliver a message to Donald Trump regarding restarting talks. So far, this has not been confirmed.