Rumors of War - Kings of the East

China tells military to be ready to ‘move’ to North Korea border - UPI.com
UPI reports: "China has ordered its military to be on nationwide alert, in addition to areas near the North Korea border, as tensions escalate on the peninsula. [...] According to the NGO, China's armored and mechanized infantry brigades in the provinces of Shandong, Zhejiang and Yunnan received the state mandate. About 25,000 troops of the Chinese military's 47th group army of the Ninth Armored Brigade have been instructed to be ready to move long distances, close to the North Korea border, the Hong Kong-based organization said."

Trump proposes North Korea plan, Xi calls for calm during call - UPI.com
UPI reports: "U.S. President Donald Trump is negotiating with China to resolve North Korea's nuclear threats in exchange for a U.S. trade deal. [...] Xi called for calm regarding the situation on the Korean peninsula and urged any moves that would aggravate tensions not be taken, the South China Morning Post reported Wednesday."

Comment: I know that Syria dominated the headlines today as the U.S. Secretary of State met with the leader of Russia, but the real story is North Korea. Our focus should be on this flashpoint that could involve the U.S. into a war and potentially into conflict with not one but two nuclear armed countries. It's worth noting that the Korean War never officially ended. There was an armistice agreement and that ceasefire has been in force for decades but the conflict was never concluded with a peace treaty. Technically the Korean War is still on. Whether it goes hot or not is an open question, and one that may be answered soon.