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Winner for April 4: What's up with Kim Jong Il?

The voting is closed.

News junkies can barely take their eyes off the dramatic goings-on in the Middle East, and the tragedy in Japan. But this week's winner is a solid one, suggesting that we revisit North Korea, that perennial hot spot. What's the crafty dictator Kim up to now that the world's distracted by other matters? And what has he learned from the invasion of Libya and other recent events? Here's the article we published:

Check back for the completed article.

Whatever happened to North Korea?

AroundtheTown suggests:

With all the news coming out of the Middle East, Japan, Libya -- I feel like we've lost track of Kim Jong Il. What's the Dear Leader up to and has he made any moves in reaction to the various crises? Should we be more concerned than ever about their nuclear dreams?
Lee Bracy suggests:

I would like to know how the 'other' islands in the Pacific faired post Tsunami - ie... Kiribati; and how about the island(s) that both Russia and Japan claim - are they still with us and is either mother country helping ?
David Valente suggests:

How about covering the diplomatic recognition of states and review the legal limbo of partially recognized states like Taiwan and Kosovo and unrecognized states like Somaliland.
Stephen R Douglas suggests:

Some passing thoughts.
The NYTs pay wall will be up by the time you read this. I am one of those heavy users of that site and I am debating it. I think the NYTs priced the entry way too high, but we will see. I also subscribe to the Christian Science Monitor weekly magazine which is a huge improvement over their former daily. Over all, the Christian Science Monitor has a winner in their weekly because the format is large and easy to read. I am 69 years old...print size matters to my old eyes. The magazine is a good general coverage rag.

I subscribed to The Global Post because I am very interested in international coverage. I do not know how others view international reporting, but after visiting Turkey last year for six weeks I was most interested in daily life of its citizens. I am now thinking that maybe you should consider little side stories about daily life in the countries that are making news. What are they eating. What is a daily routine for many of the country's citizens. What kind of news do they see. A photo of a common place setting of food would be thoughtful. What is aggravating the citizens.

Little personal stories on side-bars would spice up the web page. For instance, I am always looking for small bits of information I can use when I visit a country on my own. For example, A wine tasting in the wine regions of Georgia would be sweet. You might consider the interest of an independent traveller in those side-bar stories. It makes for one more reason to visit your web site.

Many thanks for your fine work.

Stephen R Douglas
Sue Auclair suggests:

I recently joined since I want to support your efforts. Clearly journalism is alive and well here!

I am wondering however, if you intend to cover at any point the world of the arts?

Just curious about this!
Norma Lundgren suggests:

I don't have one. I think you give very good, unbiased and unprejudiced coverage. Keep up the good work!
Joshua Brown suggests:

I think it would be interesting to see reporting on Iraq as U.S. troop withdrawals occur over time. Because there are protests over economic problems and political corruption, and because I think these issues will become increasingly moved to the forefront as the withdrawal winds down, I think some form of special or continuous coverage on Iraq's economic, social and political issues would not only be very interesting and compelling (at least in my personal opinion) but would perhaps, if there are particular "special investigations" exploring subjects such as the return of Muqtada al-Sadr to Iraq and its implications would be of great use to scholars and even policymakers.
Sid Withey suggests:

Not a topic suggestion but rather a way of presenting current affairs with an historical perspective. We all benefit from having the opportunity to look at how history influenced, affected or caused current events and political and social structures.
Perhaps an added comment or article from an historian or published source to throw light on why and how current events are so much the product of the past.
A couple of examples.
How the way the Japanese are dealing with their current disaster is influenced by perhaps their religion, their unique political structure, their wartime experience, etc.

Libya, a Muslim nation, but seemingly so different from their eastern neighbours. What has influenced them to be markedly more pro Western. have they had a 'better colonial experience'? What is the effect of religion here?

In a nutshell history seems to bring alive current events