June 9, 2010

U.S. prepares deployment of carrier group to Korea pending Obama's decision

The Obama administration is debating whether to dispatch the aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS George Washington to waters near Korea as a show of force. The strike group would ratchet up pressure on North Korea over its provocative sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan in March that killed 46 sailors. The carrier strike group would be sent for a joint U.S.-South Korean anti-submarine drill.
(FULL STORY)
The USS George Washington.  
Central Asia tour by Hu Jintao signals new emphasis on 'NATO of the East'

Even as Beijing seems ready to resume ties with the U.S. to levels before America's offer of arms sales to Taiwan, the leadership under President Hu Jintao is bolstering the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional bloc sometimes called the "NATO of the East." Hu arrived in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, on Wednesday (June 9) for the summit of the heads of state of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Senior officials from India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia were also due to take part in the conclave.  (FULL STORY)
Leaders in Tashkent on June 11. From left: Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Tajikistan's President Imomali Rakhmon.   Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov
UN report: North Korea expanding covert exports of WMD tech to Mideast
China blocks Gates visit after his critical comments in Singapore
   
Rushed meeting of N. Korea's parliament appears to pave way for succession
China site of anti-satellite program believed located in western province
Beijing's stand on Cheonan defies U.S. policy of making China team player
N. Korean defector from submarine crew goes public on Cheonan attack

  INSIDE  NORTH  KOREA     
N. Korea stages house-to-house inquiries to identify missing residents

North Korean security authorities have recently staged house-to-house inquiries to identify residents, and missing residents, who could pose potential threats to the totalitarian regime, according to a news report in Tokyo.
Another car accident on empty N. Korean streets claims life of rival to Kim's brother-in-law
Taiwan to test missile with 1,240 mile range, capable of striking Beijing
Anti-U.S. general at China's National Defense University challenges Gates

 
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