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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear friend, Warm winter solstice greetings! I’m delighted to announce the launching of <avoidingnuclearwar.com>, devoted to the latest news and analysis focused on avoiding nuclear war in general, and avoiding nuclear attack against the United States in particular. Heartfelt thanks to all who live and work for peace conversion on all levels—we, the human race, have not used a nuclear weapon in war for over 72 years, and this year 122 nations made a treaty banning nuclear weapons!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I believe we need a movement in the U.S. for fundamental changes in U.S. nuclear weapons strategy. The current strategy of escalating first-strike threat against nuclear-armed nations is putting the very survival of our nation in great peril. The good news is that U.S. nuclear weapons policy can be changed quickly, to a sensible strategy of deterrence only.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The mixed news is President Donald Trump, who is forcing all of us to really study what is going on in the world of nuclear confrontation. President Trump could realize he has inherited a suicidal strategy leading ever-closer to the nuclear war which could destroy the United States, and be revered forever as the president who led the world away from nuclear war. Instead, by hurling threats to destroy North Korea, he is putting us all at great peril for no good reason.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Here’s my latest post on <avoidingnuclearwar.com>. Be in delight, savoring each delightful day without nuclear war!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>China Draws “Red Lines” to Restrain Both North Korea and the United States<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>November 28, 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Alarmed by escalating threats of nuclear attack being exchanged by the United States and North Korea, China used an opinion piece in the state-run <i>Global Times</i> to warn both nations of dire consequences if either should attack the other.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> As reported in <i>Asia Times</i> on August 11 this year, the opinion piece in China’s <i>Global Times </i>repeated China’s long-standing position that the U.S. and South Korea should cease threatening statements and military exercises threatening North Korea, and North Korea should cease missile and nuclear weapons tests.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral,” the <i>Global Times </i>editorial said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “If the US and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and change the political pattern of the Korean peninsula,” added the Chinese editorial, “China will prevent them from doing so.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There you have it: a first-strike U.S. attack to overthrow the North Korean Government by the U.S. would be an attack on China.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Also, if North Korea attacks “US soil” China will stay neutral if the U.S. retaliates.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I hope and believe this will restrain both North Korea and the U.S. from going to war. China has a fully-developed nuclear arsenal, focused on deterring the United States from just the sort of “nuclear blackmail” President Trump is attempting with his threats to destroy North Korea unless it gives up its nuclear weapons program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The “freeze for freeze” proposal to end the threat of war, with the U.S. stopping threatening statements and military exercises and North Korea suspending tests of nuclear weapons and missiles, is supported by many thoughtful U.S. strategists. I believe we should all demand an end to military threat against North Korea, which is putting the U.S. homeland in increasing danger of actual nuclear attack.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>