September 24, 2008

North Korea leadership watch: U.S. intelligence has no solid leads

U.S. intelligence agencies presented cautious assessments recently on the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, highlighting the lack of good intelligence on a key strategic target. Kim reportedly suffered a stroke and his condition remains unknown, although some U.S. analysts suspect that Kim may not be ill at all.      (FULL STORY)
North Korea's propaganda village is seen from the Yeolsoe Observatory in Yeoncheon, South Korea, about 62 km north of Seoul. Reuters/Jo Yong-Hak

Hu's dilemna: How to both appease PLA and crack down on growing military corruption

China’s post-Olympics crackdown on corruption and bureaucratic malfeasance has now reached the People’s Liberation Army, where graft-related incidents have increased despite a media cover-up. On Sept. 23, the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission (CMC) issued a “five-year plan on punishing and preventing corruption in the army.”     (FULL STORY)
Hu Jintao protege Gen. Li Jinai, shown presenting an award in June, is charged with a 'scientific outlook' for curing an endemic problem of graft in the People's Liberation Army.  English.pladaily.com.cn
China's state media limit coverage of U.S. financial crisis
China puts troops on alert after intel warning of Ramadan surprise in Xinjiang
   
CIA began tracking North Korea’s Syria reactor in April 2007
Hyon emerges as key player in N. Korea during Kim’s prolonged absence
North Korea's state media behaving erratically
U.S. official: Religious freedom in North Korea 'simply does not exist'

Japan banks, having ducked subprime mortgages, now buying out U.S. rivals / Chinese, Iranians weigh help for Pakistan’s second port / Ozzies give China's Sinosteel the green light / Japanese importer tainted by Chinese milk scandal
Satellite telecom war raging across Taiwan Strait is latest phase of non-military conflict
Negroponte downplays concerns China seeks to limit U.S. role in Asia
Seoul rocked by report dozens of terror suspects have been secretly expelled
Taro Aso warns of unstable N. Korea, reviews evacuation plans for Japanese residents

 
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