FOR A MORE ROBUST DETERRENCE:

US plan for new nuclear arsenal: Secret talks may lead to breaking treaties (Julian Borger, February 19, 2003, The Guardian)

The Bush administration is planning a secret meeting in August to discuss the construction of a new generation of nuclear weapons, including "mini-nukes", "bunker-busters" and neutron bombs designed to destroy chemical or biological agents, according to a leaked Pentagon document.

The meeting of senior military officials and US nuclear scientists at the Omaha headquarters of the US Strategic Command would also decide whether to restart nuclear testing and how to convince the American public that the new weapons are necessary.

The leaked preparations for the meeting are the clearest sign yet that the administration is determined to overhaul its nuclear arsenal so that it could be used as part of the new "Bush doctrine" of pre-emption, to strike the stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons of rogue states.

North Korea offers a uniquely appropriate opportunity to begin to enforce a more serious form of nuclear deterrence. The U.S. should use whatever weapons are necessary to eliminate both its nuclear and its missile capabilities and warn other rogue nations that they face similar fates unless they desist in their own programs. If we instead demonstrate that the development of nukes suffices to make us back down then it would be irresponsible for these dictatorships not to try to get ahold of such weapons.

UPDATE:
PRE-EMPT NOW:
S Korean alert at jet incursion (BBC, 2/20/03)

South Korea has responded strongly to what it said was a violation of its airspace by a North Korean fighter jet early on Thursday.

The South scrambled two fighters to intercept the North Korean MiG-19 and put an anti-aircraft missile base on battle alert, the Defence Ministry in Seoul said.

The two-minute border crossing was the first aerial incursion by the North for 20 years. South Korea called it a provocation and said it would lodge a strong protest.

The incident came hours after the United States announced that Secretary of State Colin Powell would attend the inauguration of President-elect Roh Moo-hyun next week.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 20, 2003 9:02 PM