"I think we should possess nuclear weapons...in the end, we can only rely on ourselves."

"This vanishing of North Korea from 2017 to 2025 alone should caution the reader to take this text, whether you see things you like or dislike, with a gigantic grain of salt."

Denmark’s military intelligence service has for the first time classified the US as a security risk, a striking shift in how one of Washington’s closest European allies assesses the transatlantic relationship.

MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported? NOEM: We haven't deported veterans MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea

Instead of the word “denuclearization,” the paper emphasized “resolving the Korean peninsula issue through political means.

Japan frustrated at Trump administration’s silence over row with China – FT: ‘Some people said the lack of US support was ironic given that Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy, had pushed Japan to make clear what role it would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan.’

The Muppets Christmas Carol is just top notch stuff, man. So many great performances, including obviously by Michael Caine but also Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and the vegetable muppets. I could go on and on.

Just saw another mosquito in Seoul. It's December 7th. We've already had snow. How in the world do these creatures survive this.

China’s National Security Office in Hong Kong Summons Foreign Journalists

North Korea Not Mentioned in U.S. National Security Strategy www.chosun.com/english/worl...

The White House just released its National Security Strategy.

“Landau, a longtime NATO skeptic, told ministers not to ‘bully’ his country’s defense firms out of participating in Europe’s rearmament.”

The Trump administration will highlight South Korea and Israel as "model allies" in its National Defense Strategy. Expected to be released by the Pentagon in coming weeks, the NDS will commend both countries for acting as partners rather than dependents. asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...

"The first requirement for successful negotiations is accurately understanding the opponent. However, President Lee is unaware of even basic facts about North Korea."

Clint Work: "It seems as though some South Korean political hands that are the firmest proponents of wartime OPCON transition are more interested in the optics and symbolism of the transition than they are the mechanics of the combined command." Wonky stuff but important for US-ROK relations.

South Korea's president: getting nukes would be "great," but it would be impossible to get the approval of the international community.

Trump: "Countries were ripping off for years, including allies. I won't use the names. I won't mention Japan. I will refuse to mention South Korea. I will not mention names."

Franklin The Turtle’s publisher responds to Pete Hegseth.

Prominent South Korean liberal Moon Chung-in: "The issue here is excessive dependence on the US for its security. And that’s not limited to Korea — Japan, Saudi Arabia and even the countries of Europe are prone to structural vulnerabilities deriving from the US’ security umbrella."

U.S. Forces Japan is halting unilateral military police patrols on Okinawa while it investigates the viral video of an American civilian being aggressively detained outside a bar in Okinawa city. Read more here: bit.ly/4okqCd6

This is very different from how it has been reported in the Japanese press, but this is *exactly* what they've been worried about in Tokyo.

Since early September, U.S. forces have launched at least 21 separate strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. By comparison, at least 28 U.S. strikes in Somalia have occurred during that same time, according to AFRICOM.

South Koreans' confidence in domestic institutions is increasing, months after former President Yoon was removed from office for declaring martial law, a Gallup poll shows.

South Korea intends to abolish provisions obligating soldiers and civil servants to follow superiors’ commands even when they may be improper or unlawful.

Following Australia's lead, Malaysia aims to implement a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 from next year www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nat...

The tiny House majority about to get a little tinier for some months after MTG's last day on January 5th, 2026.

Gallup/Kettering Poll: "Only about a quarter of Americans agree or strongly agree that government decisions generally reflect what the majority of people want."

The top US commander in Korea makes the case for an "east-up" perspective of the region (see map below). Gen. Xavier Brunson says it highlights the strategic military importance of the Korean Peninsula. www.usfk.mil/Media/Press-...

"South Korea is uneasy beneath the American umbrella and wants a say in how that protection works. That’s not freedom exactly, but it is not dependency either. It is something more awkward, more grown-up."

"Even if we take the government at its word, it would still mean Korea is spending $3.3 billion annually, or three times the amount it is paying for defense costs at present."

"Utilization of that submarine to counter China, I think is a natural expectation," Caudle said.

Another big US-ROK joint statement: Both countries agreed to create a roadmap to expedite the process to transfer wartime operational control to South Korea. The document also omits any mention of maintaining the current US troop level.

"It may be necessary to establish new measures, in consultation with the IAEA and others, to verify that nuclear-powered submarine fuel is not diverted for nuclear weapons development."

South Korea's president, unveiling details of new US-South Korea agreements: "There are no eternal enemies or eternal friends in the international community. Only the national interest is eternal."

"The option of constructing our nuclear-powered submarine in the U.S. was never mentioned," says South Korea's national security advisor.

"The United States has given approval for the ROK to build nuclear-powered attack submarines. The United States will work closely with the ROK to advance requirements for this shipbuilding project, including avenues to source fuel." www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...

A good overview of how the US-South Korea alliance is changing during the second Trump administration. Some potentially transformative discussions going on.

However, Takaichi did clarify that — at least for the time being — her administration would adhere to the pledge. “At this stage, the government maintains the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a policy guideline,” she said.

South Korea's left-leaning government has maintained its support for a U.N. resolution condemning North Korea's human rights violations, Yonhap reports. Many observers didn't expect this, since the Lee admin is pursuing engagement with North Korea.

Gov't to launch task force to identify officials involved with martial law attempt koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11...

"South Korea is one of only three countries — along with China and North Korea — where Google Maps does not support driving or walking directions."

A citizens group has sent a letter to Japan’s govt requesting the withdrawal of US Typhon missiles from Iwakuni base. These intermediate-range missiles were deployed in Sept for drills. The group fears the extended deployment is to normalise their presence. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1235...

INGRAHAM: A Chinese diplomat said the prime minister of Japan should be beheaded. These are not our friends are they in China? TRUMP: Well, a lot of allies aren't our friends either

"Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stuck to her guns during Diet deliberations on Nov. 10, declining to withdraw a pledge to provide support to Taiwan if it came under attack and Japan felt threatened."

"This year's joint statement is also reported to exclude the phrase 'maintaining the current level of US troops in South Korea'... this reflects discussions on reducing US troops in South Korea."

"A decade from now, the Indo-Pacific may look less like a US-led hierarchy and more like a constellation of strong middle powers capable of acting on their own."

North Korea has conducted a ballistic missile launch toward the sea off its east coast, says South Korea's military in a text message to reporters. No further details yet.

"There also remains a possibility that the two sides have yet to fully reach common ground on key security issues, particularly on how to allow Seoul to produce its own fuel for nuclear submarines."

"Tokyo is not just acting out of regional threat perceptions, but out of concern that Washington’s capacity—not only its credibility—to uphold the post-Cold War order may be eroding."

Wow, it's a good thing on the Internet, of all places www.instagram.com/reel/DQcB3Zq...