South Korea rightly called North Korea's murder of 46 sailors a "premeditated provocation" when it torpedoed the South Korean naval corvette Cheonan two months ago, although North Korea denies the allegation. As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put it, the investigation into the destruction of the South Korean naval ship is "objective, the evidence overwhelming, the conclusion inescapable."

North Korea continues to threaten military action against the South, although most think actual war is unlikely. Despite repetitious declarations, a North Korean attack would be suicidal because of the better equipped South Korean military and the some 28,000 U.S. troops stationed around the peninsula.

South Korea responded by cutting off most trade with the North and pressed for action from the UN Security Council. Most nations are in support of South Korea, including the U.S., Japan, and even Russia. China, however, has not formally taken a side. The situation has become a real "headache" for their government.

China protects North Korea, which is one of the few single-party, communist regimes remaining. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and thus has the ability to veto any UN punishment, but probably will agree to some form of UN authorized chastisement. China agreed to the UN sanctions when North Korea tested a nuclear bomb in October 2006. Furthermore, Chinese analysts perceive a "rift" between China and North Korea developing over the sinking of the ship. Nonetheless, China would not want to upset North Korea because if the regime falls, then China would have a U.S. ally on its border.

In light of the U.S. backed plea for UN action, Chinese Premier Wen is in a tough spot. China's recently reaffirmed ally, North Korea, is the proven and unprovoked belligerent, and must be held accountable. "The dilemma faced by Beijing is that provocative acts by the DPRK [North Korea] put pressure on China's strategic objective of separating its relations with North and South Korea," reported one think-tank.

The media is focusing on how China is slowly coming around to concurrence with the international community. But really, China will most likely just water-down the sanctions and repercussions.

Secretary of State Clinton flew to Beijing on Wednesday, and turned the eye of the international community to Korea, saying it is a "solemn responsibility" that the U.S. and UN support South Korea. Secretary Clinton and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak also stressed, "strategic patience." One blogger on No Left Turns said, "The White House has thrown its weight behind a S. Korean decision which N. Korea promised would lead to war. The U.S. has thus called N. Korea's bluff." North Korea has not yet taken military action, as pledged.

Although it is nice to hear strong rhetoric from President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton in support of South Korea, it is unfortunately all bark and no bite -- even more so when one considers the downsizing of the U.S. Navy and defense spending. "Given the US's priorities, it is impossible to imagine the White House taking any forthright action against Pyongyang,"commented Center for Security Policy senior fellow Caroline Glick, who went onto say that the U.S. has "destroyed its credibility as a negotiator with its allies and its enemies alike."