KOREA BUILDUP – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:   Attention will be focused on Iran later this week, when the president announces his Iran policy, which may well involve a partial withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.  But let us remember that the hottest foreign-policy problem right now is North Korea.

Serious people believe there is a good chance of military action on the Korean peninsula.  It's reported that even Great Britain is beefing up its forces to join the U.S. in case of a conflict.  It's also reported that Britain might send its newest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to Korean waters, even before the ship completes its sea trials.   There is a clear sense of urgency.

The United States is engaged in a major military buildup in the Korean theater, to be sure we're ready in the event of a clash.  From CNN:

US Air Force B-1 bombers carried out mock missile launches off both coasts of South Korea Tuesday night in the latest show of force against North Korea, South Korean military officials said.

Two bombers operating out of Andersen Air Force Base in Guam carried out the drills, US Pacific Air Forces said in a statement. It said the US warplanes flew with fighter jets from the South Korean air force and Japan Self-Defense Force in the first nighttime B-1 bomber exercise between the three allies.

The warplanes first conducted a simulated air-to-ground missile drill over the waters east of the Korean Peninsula and then flew over South Korea and conducted the same drill over the waters west of the peninsula, the South Korean military said.

The exercise showed the "strong ability of the alliance against the North Korean nuclear missile threat," the South Korean air force said.

The US military statement said the exercise "demonstrates how U.S. military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific are always ready to defend the American homeland and how the U.S. stands resolutely with Japan and the ROK to honor their unshakeable alliance commitments."

COMMENT:   A show of force is a classic psychological tactic.  We hope this one convinces the North Koreans to step back and reconsider their nuclear and missile programs, but I doubt that they will.  Then we will have crunch time.  Other presidents have kicked the can down the road, hoping some future commander-in-chief will solve the Korean problem.  Trump, we think, is different.  That is both reassuring and chilling at the same time.

October 11, 2017