Koreas adopt military agreement

[Odin]

Odin:

Note one of the last paragraphs in the piece:



This says that withdrawal would be premature.

Mind you, if the ROK can bind the PROK to itself in such a fashion that the PROK's aggression South is neutered a bit, then withdrawal becomes quite viable.

However, given 30 plus hours of negotiation to finalize a one-time run of two trains on the renewed tracks, I'm not thinking "thaw" in relations yet.

Okay Seamus fair enough.

Im not thinking "thaw" either, Im thinking "lets let the Koreans hammer out the rest". If infact the North were to excersise the military option its highly likely the U.S. prescence would be more of a rallying cry then a deterrent.

the ongoing press of the South to be the "good guy" against the U.S. "bad guy" might actually have some dividends, but is that predicated on military personnel present? Or the economics of complete isolation?

I argue the later, but of course I have so little data on the actual economic condition of the North its a hard argument to make factually, still it fits nicely with my overall desire to pull back from the world stage and its many smoldering spots.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

I'm not thinking "thaw" either, I'm thinking "lets let the Koreans hammer out the rest". If infact the North were to excersise the military option its highly likely the U.S. prescence would be more of a rallying cry then a deterrent.

True (current numbers deployed there are more token than substantive), but that tripwire is itself a deterrent. US forces would fight, would probably get smashed back to Pusan in quick order, but NK would have attacked US forces in the field. Ultimately it is the Koreans themselves who'll have to hammer things out -- simply no other means to that end.

the ongoing press of the South to be the "good guy" against the U.S. "bad guy" might actually have some dividends, but is that predicated on military personnel present? Or the economics of complete isolation?

I agree the latter seems more likely.

...but of course I have so little data on the actual economic condition of the North its a hard argument to make factually, still it fits nicely with my overall desire to pull back from the world stage and its many smoldering spots.

Well, that's hardly surprising considering how "forthcoming" the NK goverment is with information.

So, you are one of those Americans who's longing for a bit of isolationism again. Can't say I haven't had a thought or two along those lines myself. Not sure if its practical in our "global village" though.

[Odin]

So, you are one of those Americans who's longing for a bit of isolationism again. Can't say I haven't had a thought or two along those lines myself. Not sure if its practical in our "global village" though.

Measured isolationism yes, Im a capitalist too and as much as I hate to admit it our economy is dependent on many global factors. Militarily, and politically, and for that matter U.S. aid, well I think our resources are better served at home then abroad given the current world climate.

Having the ability of power projection affords us the opportunity to pull back, the Korean situation is a budding prospect for that imho.