The narrative last week was that the U.S. and its allies in the western Pacific were gearing up to confront North Korea. But a strike group that was reportedly on its way isn't anywhere near there.
The Trump administration wants China to help "solve" the North Korea problem. Beijing has leverage, but its influence on Pyongyang — and even whether it wants to use all of it — is far from clear.
"All options are on the table," U.S. Vice President Pence said during his visit to South Korea, amid rising tensions with North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile program.
An apparent deal to cooperate on the North Korean nuclear issue is among several points of agreement that are emerging after the summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"We will hold the U.S. wholly accountable for the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by its outrageous actions," North Korea said. President Trump said the country is "looking for trouble."
The deployment of the Carl Vinson Strike Group comes amid pledges from North Korea to continue testing the weapons and as the Trump administration articulates its strategy towards the rogue nation.
Researchers say the belief some South Koreans hold that North Koreans — who are the same ethnicity as South Koreans — are beast-like is a product of years of propaganda and misleading education.