North Korean defectors want to fight

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Secretary of Defense Robert Gates arrived in South Korea Friday. He’s there nearly two months after North Korea launched an attack on Yeonpyeong Island. Since the deadly shelling the military there has stepped up recruiting efforts and is making it tougher for young men to get out of their mandatory 2 year service. But there’s at least one group of men that military recruiters are staying away from, North Korean defectors. From Seoul, Jason Strother has the story. Download MP3

Mending military ties with China

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Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in China today. He is trying to mend badly strained military relations. China dramatically curtailed defense ties last year after the Americans announced plans to sell arms to Taiwan. For its part, the US is concerned about China’s growing military might, especially its capacity to develop new weapons. Host Lisa Mullins speaks with The World’s Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing. Download MP3

US Navy gets budget cuts

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Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to save the Department of Defense more than $150 billion over the next five years. $35 billion of those proposed savings would come from cuts to the US Navy. The World’s Jason Margolis has more. Download MP3

Tough Choices for US in Afghanistan

President Obama faces tough choices in Afghanistan. Things are not going well for the US-led mission there. There’s either a long, hard an expensive slog ahead. Or a pull-back that comes with its own risks.

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