John Bolton on North Korea
The last thing Washington should do now is resurrect the failed six-party talks or start bilateral negotiations with the North. Instead, serious efforts need to be made with China on reunifying the Korean peninsula, a goal made ever more urgent by the clear transition of power now underway in Pyongyang as Kim Jong Il faces the actuarial tables. North Korea's threat will only end when it does, and that day cannot come soon enough. - John Bolton, Los Angeles Times
This was written before the exchange of artillery fire, so it's possible that Mr. Bolton may revise this view in light of recent events. That said, it's not clear how - or why - China would want to work with the U.S. to reunify the peninsula. If the North's artillery barrage presages some kind of broader military attack, there may well be the opportunity for China and the U.S. (and South Korea) to plan for a post-Kim North Korea, but barring that it's hard to see how the U.S. can push China to advance our goals.
