Do we see China and Russia as "foes"? Certainly some individuals do, but on a policy basis I see no evidence that we treat them as foes or enemies. Large powerful nations with some interests that diverge from ours (as well as some interests in common with us, particularly in the case of China) would be a better description. Not all nations are friend or foe, many - possibly most - are somewhere in between.
North Korea is not a threat to Japan or the US, but they are a threat to South Korea, if only because Seoul is within artillery range of the border. The North might not be able to conquer the South, but it could do a great deal of damage. Whether or not it would do that is another question, but one cannot assume that behaviour in that quarter will be predictable.
Easy to lay out broad strokes and recommendations; much more difficult to translate those into practical policy toward any given actor at any given point.
Anybody in particular in mind?run some of the extended stay house guests out who have been sponging off our good graces and our happy to do so so long as we lack the will to cut off the free room and board. Do this all at once, like yanking off a band-aid, its better than slowly dragging it out for fear of if it will hurt or not.
Originally Posted by Rick M
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