It seems that the South Koreans have had a military patrol boat destroyed by a North Korean torpedo or mine. South Korean military leaders are calling for a vigorous response, and for the first time in many years there is serious talk of war between the two Koreas.
At roughly the same time, military ships from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stopped a French and an Italian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz (the world’s most sensitive oil chokepoint). After searching the French and Italian ships — allegedly to make sure the European ships were conforming with “environmental standards” – the Iranians let them continue, but, as they say, they had sent a message. The Iranians have demonstrated that they can stop traffic in one of the world’s most strategic seaways.
Those with long memories might remember that, along with Saddam’s Iraq, North Korea and Iran were charter members of the “axis of evil” identified by Pres. George W. Bush as key supporters of terror networks. Since then, Iran and North Korea have continued working closely on nuclear weapons, missile systems, and strategy against the West. It would not be surprising if the two countries were coordinating their efforts on the high seas.