ABSTRACT
The United States frequently surprises itself as well as others by contradicting the pragmatic logic of a declared policy when faced with concrete events that test that policy. An avowed policy may make generic good sense from a United States point of view at a particular time, but it could be thrown on the trash heap in a moment if a specific set of circumstances triggers a culturally inspired response within Americans. All of the developments have great import for the people of Northeast Asia, but particularly for the two Koreas, which share the common misfortunes of being shrimp among whales and the one friction point that could trigger an unwanted war. Theoretically, it can be argued that none of the great powers of the region will risk upsetting the current delicate balance among China, the Soviet Union, and the United States for the sake of their allies on the Korean Peninsula.
