Foreign Affairs - Some views
China:
The Chinese government's penchant for secrecy and outright stonewalling on the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) will cause repercussions in the form of foreign investor hesitancy and business and personal travel to China. The recent death of an American who taught English there may be the consequences of a country obsessed with not losing face. (As one who formerly taught English in China, I find the Chinese conduct so typical and foolish, but also so unnecessary.) Wal-Mart has banned employee travel to China and other Asian cities. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning against travel to China.

South Korea:
The U.S. plans to move its military headquarters and some 6,000 troops out of Seoul and further South away from the border with North Korea. This comes at a time when South Korea is worried about (1) "military adventurism" on the part of North Korea and (2) suspicions that the U.S. may move next against North Korea (part of the axis of evil) having dispatched Iraq. South Koreans around Seoul, many of whom demonstrate periodically about something or other American servicemen do or don't do, but who also profit from the presence of these troops may also be thinking of their pocketbooks. The U.S. would like to get its troops out of range of North Korean artillery.

Cuba:
It is difficult not to believe that Cuba moved against almost 80 dissidents while the world was focused so intently on the war in Iraq. Hammering his opponents, Fidel Castro has shown again his own feelings of insecurity. Courts in Cuba sentenced people to jail for 20 years or more for writing, operating independent libraries and associating with foreign (principally American) officials. The U.S. Congress, regardless of complaints from farm states, tourists, Mafia gamblers, and others hoping to score by dealing with Cuba, should shut off all aid and travel to that country unless Castro exercises "executive clemency" and frees political prisoners. Cuba has been a pain in the ass for over 40 years. President Kennedy's promise not to invade Cuba in return for the removal of Soviet Missiles was a good deal at the time, but current American leaders have other cards to play. The relaxing of tensions and turning a deaf ear to trade and travel there have been thrown with contempt in our face.

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