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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 25-Apr-2010
25-Apr-10 News -- N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship

Web Log - April, 2010

25-Apr-10 News -- N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship

Thailand's prime minister rejects protestors demands.

N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship

A month ago, the Cheonan, a South Korean navy warship, exploded and sank near North Korean waters. Only 58 people were rescued out of 104 crew members, and the other 46 drowned. The evidence has increasingly pointed to a North Korean attack, but the South Koreans have carefully avoided saying so, since a direct accusation of that type would inevitably lead to war.

But in a highly emotional televised speech last week, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak promised "resolute and unwavering" action over the warship sinking, once the investigation has been completed.

The investigation has been proceeding, and now South Korea's Chosun news agency reports that military officials are focusing on "human torpedoes," like Islamist suicide bombers, or like Japanese "kamikaze" or "kaiten" pilots in WW II.

Human torpedo - artist depiction <font size=-2>(Source: Chosun)</font>

Human torpedo - artist depiction (Source: Chosun)

According to the article, defectors from North Korea have reported that human torpedoes are among the most elite of the country's soldiers.

Tensions have been growing between North and South Korea, as it appears more and more likely that the North Koreans will be blamed, Xinhua reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has said that the North Korean army is "fully prepared" to defeat the South Korea enemy, if it comes to war.

U.S. administration officials are calling for a return to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons development, but at the same time, Indian Express reports that North Korea is preparing for a new nuclear bomb test.

Further violence feared in Thailand as anti-government demands are rejected

Anti-government "red-shirted" protestors offered to end their demonstrations if prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called new elections within 30 days.

But CNN reports that Abhisit has rejected the call for new elections.

The protests have gone on a lot longer than anyone ever expected, and they've shut down a large part of Bangkok's shopping district.

There have already been killings, first by the army shooting at protestors, and then, last week, by explosive grenades apparently launched by the protestors.

Military officials have expressed reluctance to use force against the protestors, but the government may order them to if the protests continue much longer.

From the point of view of Generational Dynamics, Thailand is in a generational Awakening era, and so the demonstrations may go on for a long time, possibly for years, but they won't spiral out of control into a civil war, since a crisis civil war is impossible during a generational Crisis era.

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The German media have been mostly hostile to Greece's request for financial aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, since Germany would end up having to pay for most of the aid. Reuters

To stop a rout, the EU must commit to the bailout. But, as investors have made clear, the turmoil doesn't end with Greece. Speculators will then target Portugal, Spain and Ireland. NY Times

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging the Obama administration to impose a forced solution on both Israel and the Palestinians, giving the Palestinians an independent state. From the point of view of Generational Dynamics, a forced solution has no chance at all of succeeding. Haaretz

Voters may be turning against labor unions. In New Jersey elections last week, budget increases were rejected for districts where teachers unions refused to accept wage freezes. Asbury Park Press

Kelsey Grammer, the former star of the situation comedy "Frasier," and currently appearing on Broadway in "La Cage aux Folles," is launching the RightNetwork, a venture aimed at Tea Party supporters. Times Online

Armenia is marking the 95th anniversary of the World War I killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Those killings have been a major issue for decades, with the Turks calling them casualties of war and the Armenians calling them genocide. And now, a deal between Turkey and Armenia to establish diplomatic ties and reopen their common border has collapsed. Washington Post

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 25-Apr-10 News -- N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (25-Apr-2010) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 25-Apr-2010 25-Apr-10 News -- N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship

N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship

Further violence feared in Thailand as anti-government demands are rejected

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 25-Apr-2010
25-Apr-10 News -- N. Korea's 'human torpedoes' may have sunk S. Korea's warship