South Korean perspective on patriotism renewed by President Lee Jae-myung.

I’d be interested to know what role Japan’s MoFA had in facilitating Abe Akie’s meeting with Putin on 29 May. Officially Japan’s govt warns citizens against all travel to Russia. As well as meeting Putin & Ushakov, Akie went to the Bolshoi in Putin’s limo. https://t.co/ZEsvmsfey0

知己知彼，百戰不殆。
"Know yourself, know your enemy, and in a hundred battles, you will never know defeat.

Spot-on analysis from a conservative Korean newspaper. "Trump's pushing for naval supremacy over China. Here's what his maritime order misses." https://t.co/QRqnCD2M8r

— Tim Shorrock (@TimothyS) April 18, 2025

...doesn't seem to be easing.

Earlier, I posted a link concerning the large allied task force that had been operating in the Philippine Sea within the last two weeks.

USS Carl Vinson To Drill with French Carrier, Japanese Destroyer Carrier

Trump taps ex-NSC official involved in NK diplomacy as under secretary of state

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated a former White House official who was involved in diplomacy with North Korea during his first term, as under secretary of state for political affairs, according to Congress.

The Waste of War

Wars are largely created to enrich the elite at the expense of everyone else. The cost can be measured in lives, money, environmental destruction, social and mental health, and much more, as the oligarchs count their profits. Yesterday used to be Armistice Day, the end of the war to end all wars, but now we honor war and warriors, not peace.

This year we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the signing of the World War I armistice that ceased hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. With this instrument, nations still recovering from the dreadful nightmare of WWI, one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, collectively embraced peace as a universal principle and called for an end to all wars. Armistice Day was initially designated as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated."

(17 min)

In Pursuit of Power

Biden has expanded his powers by declaring a "National Emergency" over the Ukraine proxy war. It only took his signature. Whatta democracy! Clayton will explain his expanded powers in a clip below the fold. Meanwhile we have the US ambassador in China declaring the US as the major power in the region as we sell more weapons to Taiwan. There's also been more fall out from the "lockdown files" as it has become obvious the pandemic was used as a power grab. So we see individuals, nations, and corporations all pursuing ever more power and control.

Moon of Alabama has a fascinating discussion today about Iran and Saudi Arabia agreeing to work together.

https://www.moonofalabama.org/

... Mediated By China Iran And Saudi Arabia Restore Ties - There Are Winners And Losers

This is huge!

Regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to restore ties after years of tensions