As reported by Times of London, hardly a media outlet that could be characterized as an “apologist” for the US administraton:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/a.....attr=World

http://www.globalsecurity.org/...../8army.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/.....my/2id.htm

Seems also like someone up above said, a “new approach” in Iraq could mean needing a lot more troops before a drawdown, so I think USFK will probably continue to shrink.

What Yongsan deal is that? The one that says the HQ will be moved to Pyongtaek by the end of 2008 but still doesn’t have a dime to the budget, let alone any infrastructure under construction in order to facilitate the move? Won’t happen, never had any chance of happening. ROKs won’t foot the bill even though they’re the ones pushing the issue. Notice the 2nd ID move is happening, pushed by the US and paid for by the US…

I don’t think Rumsfeld ever felt that 2009 was either any appropriate time for an exchange of wartime control nor a feasible timeframe for transfer. However, he knew that in order to force the yahoos at MND to ever be prepared for operational command authority he had to give them a tough deadline. Otherwise ,they would be content to continue their reliance on US help as in the last 50 years. Too bad Rumsfeld’s strategic astuteness and prowess of political manipulation was outweighed in the end by his tactical tomfoolery in Iraq. Ultimately, he needed to go. Who’s this Gates dude? just another bureaucrat.

Be careful for what you wish for, you just might get it. Looks like that 2 years of military obligation for all Korean males might get bumped up to 4 years. Oh, and Korean taxes may have to be raised to replace all that American hardware. Let’s see you burn some American flags now bucketheads. 한국사람은 상식이 있지 않는다.

Also dependent upon what his USFK and Pacific Command 4 stars advise him privately about their views of the Korean situation. As a pure guess, I would say they’ll probably reflect the view of their Korean military counterparts, who in turn are presumably realistic about their situation in that they won’t want to take on additional military burdens that they sense their current political leadership isn’t willing to fund (regardless of public rhetoric).

So — probably — good old Uncle Sam will end up kicking the can down the road a few more years; relieved, ROK politicians will then be emboldened to go back to US-bashing whenever they feel it’s convenient to do so (meaning most of the time).

Same thing will continue presumably under a potential Dem administration starting in 08, as Dems will be IMO likely to continue with the “safe” commitment to Korea, as an easy way to demonstrate they can be “tough” on defense.

Now a potential McCain administration starting in 08! That would be different, as McCain is smart enough to spot (as Rumfeld was and did) the “triangulation” attempts of ROK pols –and tough enough (as Rumsfeld was) to hold their feet to the fire. It’s enough to make one feel a sense of joyous anticipation.

The only hope for the US-ROK alliance in a McCain administration? Baduk for President of ROK! How about it Baduk?

You’d have to agree to give up your strident rhetoric (also presumably your US citizenship) and show more sympathy and understanding for your domestic ROK political opponents (ie, no more threatening to kill them by bashing their heads in with nightsticks). Remember, it’s US-style politics we want ROK to strive for (ie, where losing an election doesn’t mean losing your life, liberty, property — or some combination thereof).

Ok, on reflection I reckon that last phrase has infuriated some readers (”..we want ROK to have US-style politics”). I’ll modify it here and now to “UK-style”, or “Canada-style”. Or even “New Zealand-style” (as in “stand down all ‘offensive’ units of Royal NZ Air force, now that there is no longer any threat”). Works for me!

If my understanding is correct, there’s very little resident-in ROK US infantry left in 2nd “Infantry” Division (only 1 battalion of mechanized (Bradley fighting vehicle)? I admit I’ve lost the big picture of what’s going on with the other 2nd ID infantry battalions (2?) that rotated into Iraq a while back).

The heavy US “punch” consists basically of the 2 (?) remaining battalions of M1 tanks, the battalions (2?) of MLRS (multiple rocket launchers with ATACMS (single large rocket) for “counterbattery”, the standard 155 mm conventional gun tube artillery battalions, the attack helicopter (Apache) battalions, and the Patiot anti-aircraft/anti-missile air defense battalions.

And the command structure to integrate them and the ROK forces into the magical, mythical “hundreds of thousands” of other US troops that are supposed to arrive in the totally unthinkable event of another 1950 style invasion; presumably they’d arrive on spaceships from Mars.

Sarcasm aside, the current US ground force is suitable mainly for the “mobile” role of repelling a 1950-style invasion by the North (but not for “invading the North, or “occupying” the North after an internal North political collapse).

And — I gather from reading this blog that the consensus of the people and government of the ROk is that the very thought of a 1950-style invasion is politically completely out of the question. Leaving aside their sentimental longing for reunification, I agree — China and Russia won’t assist the North (as they did in the bad old days) with the massive logistics needed for such an invasion.

So what are we still doing there? Who are we to tell the Koreans that we know better? Turn it over and bring the ground forces home.