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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 12-Oct-2014
12-Oct-14 World View -- Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious

Web Log - October, 2014

12-Oct-14 World View -- Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious

Concerns grow that terrorists might use Ebola as biological weapon

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious
Israel's government concerned about legal threats after Gaza war
Concerns grow that terrorists might use Ebola as biological weapon

Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious

Kim Jong-un limping on July 8

Kim Jong-un limping on July 8

North Korea's child dictator, Kim Jong-un, has not been seen in public since September 3. On July 8 he was shown walking with a limp, and he's missed several major events since September 3. He's gained a great deal of weight since becoming dictator after his father's death in December 2011 and that may contribute to pain in his leg. North Korean officials have been excusing his absences by saying that he was relaxing and recovering from his "discomfort."

However, Kim's disappearance has begun to look a lot more serious, since he made no appearance on Friday at the 69th anniversary of the founding of the governing Worker's Party. This is one of the major political events of the year and he did not even make a symbolic appearance. When his father, Kim Jong-il, failed to attend the same event in 2008, it was following a stroke.

Rumors abound. One rumor is that he's so visibly ill, that it couldn't be hidden even in a symbolic appearance. Another rumor is that there's a coup in progress, and he's being held prisoner. Another rumor is that he's dead, and that his 27 year old sister is taking over (though one commentator said that it's unlikely that a 70 year old army general would be willing to take orders from a 27 year old girl).

However, other government sources say that "Kim Jong-un is in total control," although he hurt his leg taking part in a military drill, and is convalescing. Korea Herald (Seoul) and Japan Times

Israel's government concerned about legal threats after Gaza war

For the last 60 years, Israel has defeated its enemies on the battlefields, but over the last two decades, Israel has consistently lost the public opinion battle. Today, almost no European political leader openly supports Israel, and calls for anti-Israeli boycotts and sanctions are increasingly heard. Even more dangerous to Israel is the increasing willingness of international courts to consider launching legal proceedings for alleged war crimes. Israel has done well in these legal proceedings so far, but one major legal loss could have a "domino effect," the eventual scope of which cannot even be guessed.

Israel's military and legal authorities are keenly aware that when a war ends, there will be international investigations of alleged wrongdoings. For these reasons, military lawyers work with military commanders during operations. In the recent Gaza war, Hamas not violated every international law it could, it also did everything possible to try to force Israel to violate international laws -- by storing weapons under and launching attacks from civilian homes, mosques, schools and hospitals. Hamas even publicly threatened its own population not to vacate areas of impending attacks, in order to force Israel to choose between conducting military operations in a civilian-rich environment (thus probably increasing civilian casualties) and foregoing the attacks entirely. Israel Defense News

Concerns grow that terrorists might use Ebola as biological weapon

Experts are warning that the Islamic State / of Iraq and Syria (IS or ISIS or ISIL) or another terror group might decide to use Ebola as a biological weapon. It would be fairly easy. A terrorist could visit West Africa and become infected, or just leave with some infected bodily fluids. Then, before symptoms start to show, the terrorist could travel back to a target country, and then interact with as many people as possible to infect them.

However, a number of experts are skeptical that this approach will be used. An infected terrorist might accidentally infect others in his group or his family, for example. According to one expert: "For a suicide attack, strapping sticks of dynamite to your chest is far more effective." Daily Mail and Forbes

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 12-Oct-14 World View -- Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (12-Oct-2014) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 12-Oct-2014 12-Oct-14 World View -- Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious

Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious

Israel's government concerned about legal threats after Gaza war

Concerns grow that terrorists might use Ebola as biological weapon

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 12-Oct-2014
12-Oct-14 World View -- Disappearance of North Korea's Kim Jong-un looks more and more serious