S8 Ep134: PREVIEW — Bruce Bechtol — Kim Jong-un's Vital Role in the Axis of Evil. Bechtol discusses how Kim Jong-un, despite international perceptions of him as a "clownish figure," is regarded with strategic seriousness by the "axis of evil," which now encompasses

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John Batchelor

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4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 27 November 2025

⏱️ 1 minutes

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Summary

PREVIEW — Bruce Bechtol — Kim Jong-un's Vital Role in the Axis of Evil. Bechtol discusses how Kim Jong-un, despite international perceptions of him as a "clownish figure," is regarded with strategic seriousness by the "axis of evil," which now encompasses four nations. This respect stems from Pyongyang's formidable military capabilities, including a sophisticated arsenal of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, coupled with its demonstrated ability to manufacture and proliferate vital weapon systems required by axis partners throughout the region.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is John Batchel, conversation with colleague Bruce Bechdel, his new book,
0:06.0	Rogue about North Korea and its capabilities, the arsenal of North Korea, the ballistic missiles,
0:14.0	the nuclear weapons, Kim Jong-un, the dictator, the Kim cult, the threat to South Korea. And I asked Bruce, is Kim Jong-hun being taken
0:26.7	seriously by the other access partners? That would be Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing. The answer is yes.
0:35.8	Here's Bruce Bechtel to describe why and how
0:38.9	Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un,
0:41.9	has become a vital part of the Axis.
0:46.3	More of this later.
0:48.0	He's still a very clownish figure,
0:50.1	but I believe he is being taken very seriously by what I would call the Axis of Evil,
0:57.6	that now includes four nations, not three, as you said.
1:01.0	And there's a very big reason for that.
1:03.1	And that's his ability to manufacture and proliferate vital weapons systems that those countries need.

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