Korea and Israel

In a private meeting, an anonymous diplomat expressed frustration with the fact that seemingly nothing could be done about the listless Chinese reaction to North Korean issues, like the sinking of the Cheonan, uranium enrichment and the recent attack on Yeonpyeong Island. The diplomat in question also shook his head in disbelief that as bound and principled a stakeholder as China would continue to cover up for the North Koreans. If even a diplomat is having such thoughts about the situation, we can take a guess as to what regular citizens must be feeling.

The Korean Peninsula Becomes a Priority Concern for the U.S.

In the nearly two and a half years that I have lived in Washington D.C., I do not believe I have seen America more interested in the two Koreas. Articles about the peninsula are peppered throughout leading American newspapers like The New York Times and the Washington Post. It’s come to such an extent that I wonder with what newspapers would fill their pages had North Korea not been there to supply them with ample conversation topics. An American acquaintance of mine who otherwise wouldn’t be able to place Korea on a map was the first to let me know about the Yeonpyeong Island incident, only because it was the lead breaking news story from the night before. This showed how great of a concern North Korea was even to ordinary Americans.

But what Americans are really focused on is China. Many Americans are asking themselves how China will stand on any given issue or why China continues to defend North Korean actions. Many lament the fate of a fallen U.S., believing that it is no longer the sole global superpower.

The helplessness that America seems to show with regard to China is at its most severe among those in the administration. While World Bank President Robert Zoellick called for China to be a “responsible stakeholder”, this is packed with the nervous implication that China could choose to behave otherwise. Further implied is that nothing much can be done other than to hope that China acts responsibly. The U.S. administration nonetheless seems to have abandoned this hope, at least on the issue of North Korea. The American media asserts that the circumstances on the Korean peninsula this year will become a defining moment that fundamentally alters the dynamics of U.S.-China relations. It is speculated that this year’s North Korean issues will become a turning point in U.S. and Chinese diplomacy.

America’s waning dominance over China places a greater burden of action on Korea. Although we once relied on the U.S. to take the lead on North Korean issues, its presence no longer provides a strong backdrop. This is proven by the increasingly muddled diplomatic talks in the wake of the Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island incidents. While it is claimed that the U.S.-Korea alliance has never been stronger, this cannot be taken at face value when looking at the changing power dynamics between the U.S. and China. In terms of pending bilateral issues, Korea cannot compare to China in importance to the Untied States. Still, affairs on the Korean peninsula must factor into negotiations if the U.S. and China are to achieve comprehensive mutual benefits.

Gleaning a Lesson from Israel

Like Korea, Israel is a country that lives under chronic threats to its security. One could even say that Israel, being surrounded by Middle Eastern foes, is faced with greater insecurity than Korea. Those who have been to Jerusalem understand the fear of suicide bombings that weighs down the entire city. Israel’s primary survival tactic is self-defense. Although Israel finds an ally in America, it does not blindly depend on such relations. This is not due to wariness of U.S. betrayal, but rather because of the insufficiency of even American help in preserving its national security. Many Middle Eastern countries are uneasy about the extent of the Israeli government’s determination, which is something even the U.S. cannot restrain. Given its firm grasp on American policy in the Middle East, I wonder if a lesson can’t be gleaned from Israel.