Pyongyang, Damascus and the Golan Heights, Part I

Syria and North Korea are/were pursuing something that appeared to be nuclear-related. Israel destroyed it, the United States approved and today the CIA is giving some of the details to Congress. One might think the United States and Israel would be pleased that their respective tough lines are vindicated, but both wish knowledge of North Korean activity in Syria would disappear. As Adam and Eve discovered, however, you can’t un-know and you must face the consequences.

Syria and North Korea are/were pursuing something that appeared to be nuclear-related. Israel destroyed it, the United States approved and today the CIA is giving some of the details to Congress. One might think the United States and Israel would be pleased that their respective tough lines are vindicated, but both wish knowledge of North Korean activity in Syria would disappear. As Adam and Eve discovered, however, you can’t un-know and you must face the consequences.

The United States has been part of the Six Party Talks designed to get North Korea to divest itself of its nuclear weapons program and stop sharing nuclear-related technology. The Yongbyon reactor has been closed (at least temporarily) but North Korea is balking at discussing its clients – presumably including Syria. The Administration had previously insisted that North Korea tell all, but now is asking only that North Korea “acknowledge American concern” about proliferation. In exchange for the mild nod in our direction, the United States is prepared to take North Korea off the list of terrorism supporting countries.

“Acknowledging American concern” is a very small price for North Korea to pay to be restored to the family of nations. Perhaps this explains Congress’ insistence that the CIA come and talk. Details about proliferation to Syria would incline Congress to keep North Korea on the list. Odd is the day we expect Congress to take a harder line on the old Axis of Evil than the President.

Remember the Axis? Iran and Iraq were pretty obvious, but we had wondered how North Korea got to be the third leg. It was because of the proliferation of nuclear- and missile-related technologies; North Korea was a partner to Libya and remains a partner to Iran and to Syria.

It was one of the Administration’s finest moments – understanding links between Asians, Persians and Arabs based on separate but similar interest in acquiring nuclear capability. Understanding that unlike peoples can have overriding common interests. Understanding that the world had grown smaller, tighter and closer. It was precursor to the very correct understanding that Sunnis and Shiites have worked, do and will continue to work together for their greater common interest – ridding the region of Western influence and spreading radical Islam. And understanding that evil is evil – Kim Jong Il’s starvation of his own people, pauperizing the country in pursuit of missile and nuclear technology is related in theory and in practice to Saddam’s manipulation of the Oil for Food program in ways that killed more than 5,000 Iraqi children every month (according to the UN) until we stopped him.

So what happened to the President? Why the new, conciliatory attitude? Legacy? We sincerely hope not, but can find no other explanation for the unseemly rush toward a new deal with North Korea that leaves its proliferation activities secret and ongoing.

And what about Syria? And what about Israel?