World News Channel Asia

Admiral William Fallon’s resignation as the United States’ top commander in the Middle East removes one of the most outspoken opponents of the George W Bush administration’s
hard line on Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates immediately dismissed as “ridiculous” suggestions that Fallon’s departure signaled that the US planned to go to war with Iran, but
certainly now “all options” are back on the table. – Gareth Porter (Mar 12, ’08)

The widespread view is that US CENTCOM commander Admiral William “Fox” Fallon was sacrificed by the George W Bush administration because he disagreed with its policies on
Iran while also saving the US from marauding Chinese. This is bunk. Fallon fell because he committed a far worse crime for a military veteran – he talked out of turn. – Mark Perry
(Mar 12, ’08)

South Korea’s new approach of pragmatism rather than “Sunshine” has begun, with Seoul challenging Pyongyang on its nuclear foot-dragging and human rights. The shift comes as
the six-party process for getting North Korea to give up its nuclear program reaches what may be a make-or-break stage. – Donald Kirk (Mar 12, ’08)

Be it South Korean pop stars or the New York Philharmonic Orchestra playing in North Korea, such feel-good events are just that; they don’t change the dynamics of politics. Just
recall the American sportsmen wielding table tennis bats in Beijing many years ago. – Sung-Yoon Lee (Mar 12, ’08)

To the US, there’s nothing new about China’s continuing military development, it’s the unsaid intentions behind the buildup that are worrying Washington. Without disclosing its own
strategies, Washington wants to know what Beijing is up to. But obfuscation is an art of war, and the Chinese are masters at it. – Law Siu-lan (Mar 12, ’08)

More than any other capital in the world, Beijing has closely observed the changing of the guard in the Kremlin. And the Chinese know that with or without President Vladimir Putin, it
is only natural for Russia to continue its current policies. There’s therefore still work to be done on the Sino-Russian relationship. – Yu Bin (Mar 12, ’08)