U.S. strengthening its navy in Arabian Gulf; North Korea’s top leader exhorts armed forces for war
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  • According to reports, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations (CNO), told the U.S. Senate Armed Services committee that four more minesweepers and four more minesweeping helicopters are to be sent to the Arabian Gulf. This is a move which will increase the number of mine countermeasure forces available to keep open the sea lanes around the Strait of Hormuz should Iran choose to mine that critical waterway. He stated, “We are moving four more minesweepers to the region, making eight.” He further added, “We want to improve our underwater minehunting capability.” Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Greenert declined to comment about when the ships or helicopters would leave for the region. 1

    In another development, Pyongyang’s official news agency said on March 15 that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen an attack drill and ordered the military to “mercilessly wipe out” their enemies in case of war. Many of the country’s top military and civilian officials attended the exercise, which featured a simulated attack by planes, ships and artillery on enemy warships. Kim was officially appointed supreme commander of the 1.2 million-member military after taking over the national leadership following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, on December 17, last year. His regime has agreed to a surprise nuclear deal with the United States but has taken a consistently hostile tone towards South Korea. 2

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