Convicted of subversion

The newest Nobel Peace laureate, Liu Xiaobo, is not likely to be able to accept his prize in person – he is serving an 11-year sentence in a Chinese prison.

Chinese authorities last December convicted Liu of subversion, but gave no details of which Chinese laws he violated. He was detained a year before that, in December 2008, shortly before the publication of Charter 08 – a manifesto he helped draft that calls for sweeping political reforms.

One of the original Charter 08 signers was 77-year-old Bao Tong, who says he thinks a Nobel Prize for Liu is a great thing for China.

Bao says through Charter 08, Liu is calling on the government to be responsible to the country’s Constitution and to be accountable to Chinese people. He describes this effort as a contribution to world peace.

Bao is the highest ranking Chinese official to have served time in jail following the bloody government crackdown on demonstrators near Tiananmen Square in 1989.

In and out of prison over two decades

Liu also spent time in prison for his involvement in the 1989 protests. He was jailed again later for writings that questioned China’s single-party political system.

Wife humbled by Nobel decision <!–IMAGE–>

Liu’s wife, Liu Xia, says she has been moved by all the support she received throughout her husband’s candidacy. Since he has been imprisoned this time, she has been allowed to visit him once a month.

Liu says her husband is always in good spirits, but has health problems, including hepatitis.

Some Chinese dissidents show no support

Support for Liu was not universal. Some Chinese dissidents living overseas opposed his candidacy for the Nobel, and wrote an open letter accusing him of maligning fellow activists and not being tough enough on China’s leaders.

The Chinese government also was clear in its opposition to Liu’s candidacy. At a recent briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Jiang Yu did not say Liu’s name, but said he is not appropriate for a Nobel Prize because he is a lawbreaker.

Jiang says she believes the Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to people who work to promote ethnic harmony, global friendship or arms reduction.

Support from other human rights advocates <!–IMAGE–>

One of the highest profile international pledges of support came from Czech playwright and former president Vaclav Havel, who praised Liu’s “unflinching and peaceful advocacy for reform.” Charter 08 was modeled on Charter 77, a manifesto that was a rallying document for activists in the former Czechoslovakia.

American lawmakers also have called on President Obama to raise Liu’s case when he meets Chinese President Hu Jintao at the G-20 summit in November. <!–IMAGE–>

Patrick Poon, of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, an organization of writers, says he thinks the Nobel will raise greater interest in Liu’s ideas inside China.

“We feel like it will give a very strong influence on attracting new people to look at what Charter 08 is about, and also to read Liu Xiaobo’s writing,” Poon said.

Charter 08 was initially signed by about 300 intellectuals, lawyers, peasants and workers. The document has circulated on the Internet, and now has 10,000 signatures.

Wife helps keep up his spirits

Liu’s wife says although her husband is incarcerated, he still reads all sorts of books, except political publications, and is still writing.

She says she brings Liu notebooks and pens, so that he can carry on his writing.

She says, however, she is not allowed to talk to Liu about things that happen in the outside world.

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

North Korea’s official media say Kim Jong Un has been named a general, widely seen as a move to place him in line to succeed his father.  Observers have been speculating for the past few years about who might emerge as the next leader of the reclusive nation.  Katy Oh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It is one of the greatest dramas unfolding,” said Katy Oh. “It is unprecedented in history because this is basically dynastic feudalism.”

She says the younger Kim has been working in the influential Workers Party Bureau of Organization and Guidance.

“This is the bureau within the party that hires, fires, kills, promotes, demotes over every elite in the party system,” she said. “The young Kim was working there.  But finally appointing him as a general, together with his aunt and uncle and also one of the uncle’s confidants, basically they are creating the regency behind him because he is too young.  But he is now basically anointed the crown prince.”

Many believe a powerful post also will go to Kim Jong Il’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, or her powerful husband, Jang Song Taek.  Either one might be trusted to hold power if anything happens to the ailing Kim Jong Il before his son is ready to take charge.  Kim Jong Un is only in his 20s.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, now Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, says that the next transfer of power in North Korea is a tricky step.

“To pass power onto a third generation is always more difficult than the second generation,” said Christopher Hill. “And I think we have not seen signs that Kim Jong Un has been particularly groomed for a leadership the way his father was over the course of many years under Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il is widely believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and he appeared frail in photographs taken during meetings with foreign officials in the past few months.  

The Workers’ Party has not had a full party congress since 1980, and the conference of delegates has not met since 1966.  Analysts expect the delegates will fill a number of vacant posts and name younger officials to replace some elderly members.

Next month, the party marks the 65th anniversary of its founding.  

NATO said four U.S. soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb in the east, while the fifth died in a gunfight with insurgents in the south.

On Monday, seven American troops and an Estonian soldier were killed in bomb attacks in the south, while another seven U.S. soldiers died in separate attacks on Saturday and Sunday.

U.S. President Barack Obama warned Tuesday of a “tough fight” ahead in Afghanistan, with more casualties likely.   

The head of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, acknowledged Tuesday that the Taliban are expanding their influence, even as coalition forces close in on their southern strongholds.

Petraeus said the last of the additional 30,000 troops Mr. Obama ordered to Afghanistan will arrive in the next few days, bringing the number of U.S. and NATO forces in the country to nearly 150,000.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Tuesday voiced support for Afghan forces to begin taking charge of the country’s security in 2011.  He said during an official visit to his native Denmark the issue would be taken up during the upcoming NATO summit in November.

In violence Tuesday, gunmen on a motorcycle killed three Afghan Supreme Court employees traveling on a bus near Kabul. At least 12 others were wounded.

And British aid group Oxfam said it was temporarily suspending operations in northern Badakhshan province after a roadside bomb killed two of its Afghan staff workers and a volunteer Monday.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

There is a mountain of evidence the jury will be asked to consider in the trial of the Newburgh Four, as prosecutors and the defense try to frame that evidence in ways that lead to conviction or acquittal for the men, all of whom have criminal pasts.

In their opening statements, a prosecutor alleged that the leader of the plot spewed hatred and said he wanted to do something to America. A defense attorney indicated that the men were merely the hapless and ineffectual victims of their own poverty and ignorance.

However, there is no dispute about the broad outlines of the case. All four attended the same mosque, and were recruited by a smooth-talking government informant to commit terrorist acts in exchange for travel, money and other goods.

Alicia McWilliams, the aunt of one defendant, admitted that the men were wrong to participate, but also said that they were treated unfairly and should go free.

“Were they right? No,” she admitted. “Was the government right? No. The government is not above the law. You cannot use a person getting away from crime to create crimes. And then to go into the community and sow unconstructive seeds. I don’t understand that. And as a government we should be ashamed. Is the world going mad?”

In fact, says Columbia University law professor and former prosecutor Daniel Richman, it is common practice for American law enforcement agencies to use undercover operatives to pose as terrorists or criminals in order to gain information from them or infiltrate their networks. And in contrast to many judicial systems abroad, they can do so with few restrictions.

At the same time, says Richman, certain safeguards against prosecutorial excess are built into American law.

“We don’t want to have a system in which the government pushes innocent people into criminal activity and then turns around and prosecutes them for it,” he said. “Courts will strain hard to preserve the so-called ‘entrapment defense’ which allows a jury to stand in the way and prevent the conviction of a person who was recruited and pushed into a criminal activity where he wouldn’t have been.”

According to Richman, the question of whether a suspect was entrapped hinges on two questions: first, whether the government induced or led the person into criminal activity, and second, whether the defendant was predisposed at that moment to commit the crime even without government action. In other words, was he or she ready to commit the crime, but simply lacked the opportunity or the means to do so?

“Where an entrapment defense is raised, the kind of person a defendant was – his ideology, his associations, his statements, his intelligence, his competence, his needs, all sorts of issues will be inquired into and will certainly be pushed by the defense, who will generally be saying ‘My guy was just sitting there and the government pushed him into action and he wouldn’t have been involved in, and this was a government operation from the get-go and my guy was just caught up in it,” Richmond said.

In response, says Richman, the government usually concedes its role as an enabler of the crime itself, but asserts that the suspect is responsible for committing the crime.

“We certainly did with provide you guy with the opportunity to commit a crime, – a grievous conspiracy – ‘but what we were doing is providing a controlled environment for him to do what he would otherwise would have done on his own,” he said.  “And yes, in our case, it was a government operative who sparked this and kept it going. But it could have very easily have been a foreign jihadist who got this going and turned a bunch of hapless mopes into key members of a far flung conspiracy.”

Richman adds that in cases such as these jurors are often asked to put themselves in the position of the defendant and to consider what they would do in similar circumstances.

“We expect that when asked to commit a crime, even in loud and ringing terms, particularly when the crime is an especially heinous one, the average citizen will turn away,” said Richman.  “And the government will consistently remind the jurors to think about themselves, saying ['if] you were presented with these circumstances, what would you do? Would you get swept in the spirit of the moment or the spirit of the group and plan to bomb a synagogue?”

Whether or not, at the end of what promised to be a lengthy trial the jury thinks so is of course of paramount interest to the many prosecutors and defense attorneys in the case.

Government lawyers did not speak to reporters on the first day of the trial, but defense lawyer Sam Braverman did.

“All we ask for is an honest jury,” he stated. “We want a jury that cares, that takes it seriously and follows the facts of the law wherever it leads.”

The trial of the Newburgh Four is expected to last at least six weeks.