It seems North Korea's Bond-villain dictator, Kim Jong-Il, is starting the holiday season early – by attempting to deliver guns and explosives via cargo plane to the Pakistani tribal region. Yes, the one-and-only Pakistani tribal region that is ground-zero for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants.
A spokesman for the Thai Air Force, Capt. Montol Suchookorn, confirmed that the plane originated out of North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, and had requested to refuel in Bangkok. Thai authorities searched the plane at the request of the United States, and found almost 45 tons of weaponry, including "missiles, explosives, and tubes". Five foreigners, four from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus, were detained by Thai authorities. The plane, and its deadly cargo, were impounded by the Thai military.
This news will undoubtedly encourage the Obama administration to put more pressure on the rogue regime, which has already come under fire from the international community for its nuclear program and human rights violations.
This isn't the first time North Korea has lived up to its reputation as part of the "Axis of Evil" – a phrase made popular by George W. Bush; back in March, the Associated Press reported that military specialists from Iran – another "Axis" member – were present during the North Korean missile tests over the Sea of Japan. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly stressed the importance of co-operation; a frightening prospect, considering that Iran is on their way to developing nuclear weapons of their own.
It also wouldn't be the first time that a rogue state aided the enemies of the US. At the height of the sectarian violence in Iraq, Iranian-made explosive devices were commonly used by insurgents to kill American soldiers and Iraqi civilians alike.
Both Iran and North Korea have also been strengthening their ties with Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan "president-for-life". Although not an official member of the "Axis of Evil", Venezuela has been the most outspoken critic of the United States. Since 2005, North Korea had been making plans to establish an embassy in Caracas, and the two nations have exchanged several diplomatic visits over the past few years in order to deepen their relationship.
Iran has formed a strategic partnership with the South American country, both personally and professionally. The Washington Times reported that Venezuela was seeking nuclear technology of its own, and others have speculated that Chavez may be funding or aiding Islamic militants, although no concrete evidence has been found.
In any case, the close ties between these nations should be a concern for the United States, especially if they are going to offer material support for the militants currently battling US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Tom Bortnyk is a columnist for the political blog Informed-Dissent.
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2009.