[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/art.amanpour.writer.jpg caption="Sr. Writer Tom Evans"]
On AMANPOUR. today, we focus on the Korean peninsula. South Korea is the last stop for President Obama as he wraps up his weeklong trip throughout Asia. What to do about the growing national security threat posed by North Korea will surely be high on the list of topics for discussion in Seoul. AMANPOUR has the latest on what is going inside the closed state, including a report from a recent defector now trying to adjust to life as a refugee in South Korea. President Obama’s visit to Asia is just one of the stories making news today. Here are some perspectives on that and some other stories in the headlines.
Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
U.S. AND CHINA – How much did Obama/Hu summit in Beijing achieve?
– President Obama talks of positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between U.S. and China
– Hu says he believes strong dialogue is important not only for U.S. and China, but whole world
– Summit affirmed U.S. recognition of China as a major player on the world stage
– But two leaders could not bridge divide on crucial issues such as trade, human rights, Tibet, and climate change
QUESTION: Is China an economic threat to the U.S. as 71 percent of Americans believe, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll?
INTERNATIONAL CURRENCIES – Can U.S. and China resolve their sharp differences over the Chinese yuan and the plummeting dollar?
– President Obama tries to convince China to allow its currency to rise in value on foreign exchange markets because Washington believes low yuan is disadvantaging U.S. exporters by making their products more expensive vs. Chinese goods
– President Hu makes no mention at all of dollar or yuan in joint statement to media, instead emphasizing need to avoid protectionism in world trade (U.S. recently introduced tariffs on Chinese-made tires and other products)
– China also concerned falling dollar will devalue its almost two trillion dollars of assets denominated in the U.S. currency
– U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke makes rare comments on U.S. dollar, saying he’s monitoring markets closely and will “help ensure that the dollar is strong”
QUESTION: Will the tension over the U.S. dollar and the Chinese yuan, if not resolved, lead to a trade war between the U.S. and China that could plunge the world into a new recession?
AFGHANISTAN – Is Britain preparing an exit strategy from Afghanistan?
– British PM Brown hopes U.N. conference in London in new year could pave the way for start of handover of Afghan districts to full Kabul control from 2010
– As British casualties rise, public opposition to the war is increasing and parliamentary support for the U.K. mission is beginning to fracture
– Britain is the second biggest contributor of troops to the war after the U.S., with 9,000 soldiers in Afghanistan
– Canada and the Netherlands have already announced plans to withdraw their troops from major combat operations in Afghanistan, beginning next year
QUESTION: Will European countries maintain existing force levels in Afghanistan, let alone increase them, even if President Obama increases American troop strength there?