China and North Korea

It’s true, as Anne Applebaum says, that China is the only country in the world with any real influence over North Korea.  So why do they put up with Kim Jong-il’s antics?  The usual answer is that they’re afraid of pushing too hard lest his regime collapse and send millions of refugees streaming across the border into Manchuria.  Applebaum, however, speculates that that isn’t it at all.  China actually wants North Korea to continue its hotheaded ways: [read more...]

By Kevin Drum | from Mother Jones | Published: 01 June 2009