Cascadia's major newspapers have given lots of space to the latest saber-rattling by North Korea. But they're leaving arguably the biggest threat to this region mostly unanalyzed.
On Tuesday morning the papers could have marshalled "day two" stories about what North Korea's nuclear test means for this region, which is the closest part of the continent to the crisis. Instead, The Seattle Times, The Oregonian and the Vancouver Sun all pasted newswire stories and maps on their front pages. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer made due with just a thumbnail photo and tiny headline. An editorial in the P-I downplayed the threat and another in the Oregonian urged everyone to remember the oppressed North Korean people.
A story by Hal Bernton in the Seattle Times was the only one to include wisdom of local experts and to connect the Korea crisis to Cascadia, noting the extensive military ties and large Korean population here.
Sure, it's not clear if North Korea has the desire or capability to attack North America. But considering the overwhelming attention regional media gave to vague threats from the Middle East and the omnipresent threat of terrorism, it's time they devoted similar efforts to the serious danger from across the ocean.