William Gallo
@williamgallo.bsky.social
VOA Seoul bureau chief/regional correspondent. Posting in a personal capacity.
www.williamwgallo.com
www.williamwgallo.com
Trump's threats to take Greenland "should be the final wake-up call for the UK, Europe and Canada never to allow themselves to slide into such a position of profound weakness again."
Trump is likely gambling he could get away with Greenland grab as NATO needs US more than he needs it
The US president knows no European nation would seriously try to stop him by force - because they would lose.
news.sky.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Trump's threats to take Greenland "should be the final wake-up call for the UK, Europe and Canada never to allow themselves to slide into such a position of profound weakness again."
NYT: "The statements by [Trump and Rubio] amount to an explicit declaration of gunboat diplomacy and an embrace of the kind of 19th-century U.S. imperialist policy in the Western Hemisphere that has been widely criticized across Latin America."
Trump Says U.S. Is ‘In Charge’ of Venezuela, While Rubio Stresses Coercing It
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 AM
NYT: "The statements by [Trump and Rubio] amount to an explicit declaration of gunboat diplomacy and an embrace of the kind of 19th-century U.S. imperialist policy in the Western Hemisphere that has been widely criticized across Latin America."
Just finished this - all 750 pages, lol. Been a while since I've learned so much in one book. Definitely should have read it sooner.
December 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Just finished this - all 750 pages, lol. Been a while since I've learned so much in one book. Definitely should have read it sooner.
"I think we should possess nuclear weapons...in the end, we can only rely on ourselves."
Japan needs to possess nuclear weapons, prime minister's office source says
A source within Japan's prime minister's office said Thursday that the country needs nuclear weapons, remarks that deviate from the country's long-standing non-nuclear principles and could trigger bac...
english.kyodonews.net
December 19, 2025 at 9:56 PM
"I think we should possess nuclear weapons...in the end, we can only rely on ourselves."
"This vanishing of North Korea from 2017 to 2025 alone should caution the reader to take this text, whether you see things you like or dislike, with a gigantic grain of salt."
My Warm Take on the National Security Strategy
From the erasure of North Korea to the defense of Taiwan
johndelury.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
"This vanishing of North Korea from 2017 to 2025 alone should caution the reader to take this text, whether you see things you like or dislike, with a gigantic grain of salt."
Reposted by William Gallo
Denmark’s military intelligence service has for the first time classified the US as a security risk, a striking shift in how one of Washington’s closest European allies assesses the transatlantic relationship.
Danish intelligence classifies Trump’s America as a security risk
Denmark sounds the alarm about the U.S.’s increasingly antagonistic posture toward Europe.
www.politico.eu
December 11, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Denmark’s military intelligence service has for the first time classified the US as a security risk, a striking shift in how one of Washington’s closest European allies assesses the transatlantic relationship.
Reposted by William Gallo
MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
December 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
Instead of the word “denuclearization,” the paper emphasized “resolving the Korean peninsula issue through political means.
China omits 'denuclearization' from newly-released defense white paper
China has omitted the phrase “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” from a defense white paper for the first time in 19 years, signaling a possible shift in its position as it competes with the Un...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Instead of the word “denuclearization,” the paper emphasized “resolving the Korean peninsula issue through political means.
Reposted by William Gallo
Japan frustrated at Trump administration’s silence over row with China – FT: ‘Some people said the lack of US support was ironic given that Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy, had pushed Japan to make clear what role it would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan.’
Japan frustrated at Trump administration’s silence over row with China
Tokyo asks US to be more vocal in its support after Beijing reacted furiously to prime minister’s comments about Taiwan
www.ft.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Japan frustrated at Trump administration’s silence over row with China – FT: ‘Some people said the lack of US support was ironic given that Elbridge Colby, the under-secretary of defence for policy, had pushed Japan to make clear what role it would play if the US and China went to war over Taiwan.’
The Muppets Christmas Carol is just top notch stuff, man. So many great performances, including obviously by Michael Caine but also Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and the vegetable muppets. I could go on and on.
December 7, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The Muppets Christmas Carol is just top notch stuff, man. So many great performances, including obviously by Michael Caine but also Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and the vegetable muppets. I could go on and on.
Just saw another mosquito in Seoul. It's December 7th. We've already had snow. How in the world do these creatures survive this.
December 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Just saw another mosquito in Seoul. It's December 7th. We've already had snow. How in the world do these creatures survive this.
China’s National Security Office in Hong Kong Summons Foreign Journalists
China’s National Security Office in Hong Kong Summons Foreign Journalists
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
China’s National Security Office in Hong Kong Summons Foreign Journalists
Reposted by William Gallo
North Korea Not Mentioned in U.S. National Security Strategy www.chosun.com/english/worl...
North Korea Not Mentioned in U.S. National Security Strategy
North Korea Not Mentioned in U.S. National Security Strategy Report highlights countering China along First Island Chain, urges allies to boost defense spending
www.chosun.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
North Korea Not Mentioned in U.S. National Security Strategy www.chosun.com/english/worl...
The White House just released its National Security Strategy.
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 5:37 AM
The White House just released its National Security Strategy.
“Landau, a longtime NATO skeptic, told ministers not to ‘bully’ his country’s defense firms out of participating in Europe’s rearmament.”
Top US official berates Europe over cutting American industry out of defense buildup
Washington is unhappy that some European arms programs limit U.S. participation.
www.politico.eu
December 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
“Landau, a longtime NATO skeptic, told ministers not to ‘bully’ his country’s defense firms out of participating in Europe’s rearmament.”
Reposted by William Gallo
The Trump administration will highlight South Korea and Israel as "model allies" in its National Defense Strategy. Expected to be released by the Pentagon in coming weeks, the NDS will commend both countries for acting as partners rather than dependents. asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
Trump's National Defense Strategy to hail South Korea as 'model ally'
Seoul's 3.5% defense budget, shipyards pledge suit 'partners' over 'dependents' US vision
asia.nikkei.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The Trump administration will highlight South Korea and Israel as "model allies" in its National Defense Strategy. Expected to be released by the Pentagon in coming weeks, the NDS will commend both countries for acting as partners rather than dependents. asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
"The first requirement for successful negotiations is accurately understanding the opponent. However, President Lee is unaware of even basic facts about North Korea."
Editorial: President Lee Unaware of North Korea Detainees, Policies Criticized
Editorial: President Lee Unaware of North Korea Detainees, Policies Criticized Critics question leaders grasp of basic realities amid calls for awareness on detained citizens
www.chosun.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
"The first requirement for successful negotiations is accurately understanding the opponent. However, President Lee is unaware of even basic facts about North Korea."
Clint Work: "It seems as though some South Korean political hands that are the firmest proponents of wartime OPCON transition are more interested in the optics and symbolism of the transition than they are the mechanics of the combined command."
Wonky stuff but important for US-ROK relations.
Wonky stuff but important for US-ROK relations.
Can Seoul Take the Lead & The Alliance Expand Its Aperture? - Korea Economic Institute of America
The drivers for a South Korean lead role on the peninsula and a broader role for the alliance’s combined defense posture beyond it may be greater than ever.
keia.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Clint Work: "It seems as though some South Korean political hands that are the firmest proponents of wartime OPCON transition are more interested in the optics and symbolism of the transition than they are the mechanics of the combined command."
Wonky stuff but important for US-ROK relations.
Wonky stuff but important for US-ROK relations.
South Korea's president: getting nukes would be "great," but it would be impossible to get the approval of the international community.
Lee says S. Korea's own nuclear armament 'impossible' | Yonhap News Agency
By Lee Haye-ah SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday dismissed c...
en.yna.co.kr
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM
South Korea's president: getting nukes would be "great," but it would be impossible to get the approval of the international community.
Reposted by William Gallo
Trump: "Countries were ripping off for years, including allies. I won't use the names. I won't mention Japan. I will refuse to mention South Korea. I will not mention names."
December 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Trump: "Countries were ripping off for years, including allies. I won't use the names. I won't mention Japan. I will refuse to mention South Korea. I will not mention names."
Reposted by William Gallo
Franklin The Turtle’s publisher responds to Pete Hegseth.
December 2, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Franklin The Turtle’s publisher responds to Pete Hegseth.
Prominent South Korean liberal Moon Chung-in:
"The issue here is excessive dependence on the US for its security. And that’s not limited to Korea — Japan, Saudi Arabia and even the countries of Europe are prone to structural vulnerabilities deriving from the US’ security umbrella."
"The issue here is excessive dependence on the US for its security. And that’s not limited to Korea — Japan, Saudi Arabia and even the countries of Europe are prone to structural vulnerabilities deriving from the US’ security umbrella."
[Column] A prospect more worrying than a Korean Peninsula sans US
The worst-case scenario is maintaining the uncertainty of the current status quo
english.hani.co.kr
November 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Prominent South Korean liberal Moon Chung-in:
"The issue here is excessive dependence on the US for its security. And that’s not limited to Korea — Japan, Saudi Arabia and even the countries of Europe are prone to structural vulnerabilities deriving from the US’ security umbrella."
"The issue here is excessive dependence on the US for its security. And that’s not limited to Korea — Japan, Saudi Arabia and even the countries of Europe are prone to structural vulnerabilities deriving from the US’ security umbrella."
Reposted by William Gallo
U.S. Forces Japan is halting unilateral military police patrols on Okinawa while it investigates the viral video of an American civilian being aggressively detained outside a bar in Okinawa city.
Read more here: bit.ly/4okqCd6
Read more here: bit.ly/4okqCd6
November 28, 2025 at 2:29 AM
U.S. Forces Japan is halting unilateral military police patrols on Okinawa while it investigates the viral video of an American civilian being aggressively detained outside a bar in Okinawa city.
Read more here: bit.ly/4okqCd6
Read more here: bit.ly/4okqCd6
Reposted by William Gallo
This is very different from how it has been reported in the Japanese press, but this is *exactly* what they've been worried about in Tokyo.
November 27, 2025 at 12:47 AM
This is very different from how it has been reported in the Japanese press, but this is *exactly* what they've been worried about in Tokyo.
Since early September, U.S. forces have launched at least 21 separate strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. By comparison, at least 28 U.S. strikes in Somalia have occurred during that same time, according to AFRICOM.
100th Somalia strike of year shows AFRICOM mission that outpaces even US action in Caribbean
U.S. Africa Command carried out its 100th airstrike of the year in Somalia.
www.stripes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Since early September, U.S. forces have launched at least 21 separate strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. By comparison, at least 28 U.S. strikes in Somalia have occurred during that same time, according to AFRICOM.