North Korean ballistic missile launches
GeopoliticsComments
Hypothetically, if these launches force a sudden reconciliation between Washington and Seoul to project unity, the result could be a more coherent deterrence strategy than we have had in years.
Calling two launches a negligible sample size is a bit optimistic. In 2017, a similar cluster of tests served as the actual prologue to the ICBM breakthroughs.
We can't ignore that Seoul just told Trump they aren't sending troops for the Iran war. These launches are likely happening because the US-ROK alliance is looking fragile right now.
If the alliance is really that shaky... do you think the missiles are a signal to the US or a signal to Seoul that they're on their own?
It is possible this tension encourages South Korea to pursue a more independent diplomatic track. That could eventually lead to a more stable, localized security arrangement.
flight patterns suggest a routine trajectory check, not a strategic demonstration.
Why is everyone ignoring the calendar? These missiles are a loud reminder to Xi and Trump that Pyongyang won't be traded away in a DC boardroom this Thursday.
Linking this to the Trump-Xi meeting is a stretch. Pyongyang times almost every launch to coincide with some high-level diplomatic event.