I am surprised at the commenters who don't think the Feds should be investigating the Sony hack, or helping a huge private, foreign company defend itself from cyber-attackers.
It doesn't work like that, folks. Most of the big IT corporations who were publicly complaining about the NSA's cyber-snooping capabilities after the Edward Snowden leaks work with the NSA and other Federal spy agencies behind the scenes, and are required to do so if they receive a subpoena requesting data on a client or consumer of their products and services.
I am talking about Google, Microsoft, Apple, Verizon, AT&T, Cisco, and many other IT and big teleco companies. Their concerns after the Snowden material was about making their services like cloud storage appear porous and unsafe for the businesses and consumers who buy these services. It was a set of public relations moves to regain the public's trust in what they sell. That was it.
As for who is behind the Sony hacks, we can't know, and may never know. Now it has become about digital saber rattling and international brinksmanship with the world's creepiest country, North Korea. Lies and dishonesty on both sides is par for the course.
2
Please refrain from using President Obama slang (“doubled down”) when discussing foreign policy. This is crude and equates important decisions with gambling and signifies that this President is also on that level of comprehension which he unfortunately is as this wayward decision demonstrates.
4
Yes, the movie is an awful hack job. But a state cyberattack on our infrastructure demands a response, even if (gulp) in defense of Seth Rogen. What it demands far more, however, is an increased federal role in protecting US IT infrastructure from future attacks which may go far beyond just embarrassing a movie studio. North Korea (if it was North Korea) has done us an inadvertent favor on the cheap by hopefully waking the US up to what we could face far worse from China, Russia, and Iran if we don't take protective measures for our internet infrastructure.
2
It has been reported multiple times that North Korea had nothing to do with the hacks. Still this president ignores the reports and does what he wants. I don't get it for two reasons. Let's say they prove that NK did the hacking. How does this stop the hacking? And how does it prevent the hacking from someone else? Show us the proof that North Korea did this and I'll shut up. I'm so sick of this president and this crooked government. Nothing they do makes sence!
3
Obama's sanctions are a joke. He has degraded the US power and prestige in the world to the point where a sanction declared by Haiti or Rwanda would cary more weight.
1
In spite of some of the well-known historical failures of the US external and internal intel operations, there are obviously some realities here that many of the other arm-chair expert commenters here seem to be overlooking.
1. By its very nature, much of the intel available to the White House (in any administration) needs to be kept secret for obvious reasons.
2. Any private entity that has or has had actual access to this intel and how it is gathered is also barred from exposing it by law, for obvious reasons. Private intel experts that can opine about this in the media either plain don't know what the US government intel operations capability is or if they do know can only comment on it in the most general and highly qualified terms.
3. Obviously, Obama would, for reasons including geo-political, strategic, and national-political, need to take some sort of measured action, even if token. Needless to say, whatever he does will of course be vilified by the Right and endlessly opined about by the talking heads on our media.
4. The attack on Sony, which has a considerable presence (and employment) in the US, is a concern of the US government for obvious reasons. What would our reaction have been if Sony US had been bombed?
5. Cyberthreats are quite real today. Think of Stuxnet. Think of other possible targets in the US besides Sony.
6. Anyone who thinks any US president will be totally "transparent" regarding our country's intel vis-a-vis defense is a fool.
1. By its very nature, much of the intel available to the White House (in any administration) needs to be kept secret for obvious reasons.
2. Any private entity that has or has had actual access to this intel and how it is gathered is also barred from exposing it by law, for obvious reasons. Private intel experts that can opine about this in the media either plain don't know what the US government intel operations capability is or if they do know can only comment on it in the most general and highly qualified terms.
3. Obviously, Obama would, for reasons including geo-political, strategic, and national-political, need to take some sort of measured action, even if token. Needless to say, whatever he does will of course be vilified by the Right and endlessly opined about by the talking heads on our media.
4. The attack on Sony, which has a considerable presence (and employment) in the US, is a concern of the US government for obvious reasons. What would our reaction have been if Sony US had been bombed?
5. Cyberthreats are quite real today. Think of Stuxnet. Think of other possible targets in the US besides Sony.
6. Anyone who thinks any US president will be totally "transparent" regarding our country's intel vis-a-vis defense is a fool.
4
This was nothing but an internal marketing technique.
The one thing I like about what Obama has been doing with sanctions is holding businesses, upper management and government officials accountable for their activities.
We need to do more of this here at home. Not just financial sanctions, but held accountable for their crimes against humanity. We also need to take a harder look at our government agencies managers and put the spot light on those who are mismanaging the agency.
We need to do more of this here at home. Not just financial sanctions, but held accountable for their crimes against humanity. We also need to take a harder look at our government agencies managers and put the spot light on those who are mismanaging the agency.
2
The Sepul government is the biggest enabler of the Kim regime. The industrial complex in Kasong North Korea is managed by South Korea and employs thousands of workers who provided currency for the Kim Family. We should also let the Seoul government be put on notice for sanctions.
1
Wonderful reporting; NYT. "Sanctions"? Can you be more vague? How about some detail on what these sanctions actually do.
Usually when a "sanction" is imposed on a person or a country it means that the sanctioned entity is prohibited from participating in some organization or from access to some kind of system - e.g. international banking systems like SWIFT, or the Asian Development Bank.
A little detail might give the story some credibility. As is, it just looks like you are dutifully disseminating the administration's propaganda. If they wouldn't tell you what the sanctions do, that's fine, include that too.
Usually when a "sanction" is imposed on a person or a country it means that the sanctioned entity is prohibited from participating in some organization or from access to some kind of system - e.g. international banking systems like SWIFT, or the Asian Development Bank.
A little detail might give the story some credibility. As is, it just looks like you are dutifully disseminating the administration's propaganda. If they wouldn't tell you what the sanctions do, that's fine, include that too.
4
The president is sending a message to all who think they can interrupt our cyber links. I think their response to North Korea is only the message counts.
1
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." ~ SOCRATES
The flip side of Freedom of Expression is accountability for its consequences. It goes with the privilege. Sony got just consequences, what it asked.
Sony, was the true offender here, if not through ignorance, then through stupidity and irresponsible mindlessness. Sony put profit and inanity before common sense, imperiling national security with its idiotic, pointless, reportedly awful film. Japan is a sworn enemy of North Korea. Sony's parent company is Japanese. Get it?
To further sanction North Korea, if there's anything left to sanction, is just as pointless. Sony should be held accountable for any damages it wrought upon itself and the USA. America should be grateful Kim Jong-un had the common sense to target Sony, the offender, and not the White House. Even a nut case like Kim Jong-un shows more tact and brains than Sony's executives.
I dread to think what the U.S. reaction might have been if North Korea or any other adversary had produced and promoted an equally insulting propagandistic film blowing Obama, the sitting president of the United States of America, to smithereens.
Get it?
The flip side of Freedom of Expression is accountability for its consequences. It goes with the privilege. Sony got just consequences, what it asked.
Sony, was the true offender here, if not through ignorance, then through stupidity and irresponsible mindlessness. Sony put profit and inanity before common sense, imperiling national security with its idiotic, pointless, reportedly awful film. Japan is a sworn enemy of North Korea. Sony's parent company is Japanese. Get it?
To further sanction North Korea, if there's anything left to sanction, is just as pointless. Sony should be held accountable for any damages it wrought upon itself and the USA. America should be grateful Kim Jong-un had the common sense to target Sony, the offender, and not the White House. Even a nut case like Kim Jong-un shows more tact and brains than Sony's executives.
I dread to think what the U.S. reaction might have been if North Korea or any other adversary had produced and promoted an equally insulting propagandistic film blowing Obama, the sitting president of the United States of America, to smithereens.
Get it?
3
I think this is all a publicity stunt to get people to see the stupid movie. Who does Hollywood support? Obama. It's all a game and they are playing it like we are chess pieces. Just a bunch of liars in Washington.
Why doesn't the administration normalize relations, swap a disproportionate number of prisoners and begin to empathize with North Korea? Or is it so different from Cuba?
4
"More Sanctions on North Korea After Sony cases " Is it a confirmation on the enhanced support to South Korea by the US?
1
"But Mr. Obama’s critics do not have a consistent explanation of who might have been culpable."
But doesn't the fact that there are multiple plausible malefactors mean it's less likely that North Korea did it? If a variety of hackers had the means and motive, then the a priori odds that it was North Korea's government goes down, not up.
But doesn't the fact that there are multiple plausible malefactors mean it's less likely that North Korea did it? If a variety of hackers had the means and motive, then the a priori odds that it was North Korea's government goes down, not up.
3
It is certainly possible that North Korea is behind the Sony hack, but US government officials have lied so often to the American people that they have forfeited the right to be believed without solid evidence.
9
The Obama administration has decided to punish North Korea regardless whether Pyongyang was responsible or not for the cyber attack against Sony. North Korea cannot retaliate in kind. As Cheney once said about Iraq's invasion, it is doable. The danger, of course, is the law of unintended consequences.
5
We already know that the government spends billions on security (this money is your money, incidentally). What we don't know is if any of this vast network is actually contributing to national security. When you ask the government they yell "Yes but we can't tell you about it. Trust us!" But we already know a great deal, thanks to Snowden and others, and there is no serious evidence that it contributes to making us safer from attacks. There is a gulf between intelligent people and the people in charge of the government that is undermining our democracy. It is an urgent problem for America and "detached leadership" is failing.
4
Physical War is a dying idea the new world is here and money wins more battles than any tank or plane ever did. North Korea is unstable so why not knock it over as part of the third act of an intellectual Presidency?
2
It's amazing (although, six years on, one starts just to assume it will keep on keepin' on, due the dull monotony of repeated proofs) to what degree Barack Obama, President and Obama, Barack's administration have been consistently played for total suckers by the unintelligence community, on one prestidigitating hand and, by the appropriate-and-waste (it's like tax-and-spend, but inefficient to boot) Pentagon on the other.
This Sony nonsense is just one more dull proof along the pike.
The unintelligence community have long functioned as a 51st state, but were never able to hold an inaugural, since they are of course a Big Secret Nobody Knows Of. Their job is to be self-deluded, to play blind king in the valley of the sighted, to lead a life of pipe dreams in fantasyland (so, Hollywood! Dig it!) and cause endless suffering and death for people in the real world trying to get on with their portion of life.
It's a "métier", a profession!
The Pentagon are a more disciplined, religious Order at the disservice of the state. Their job is building/servicing battlefield-conditions test-bench altars dedicated to material and human sacrifice. They find winnowing-floor wars where dilemma's horns, honouring their gods, can be draped with victims and washed with victims' blood, in the hope of appeasement!
These gods, of course, are the complexed, ravenous military-industrial Deities, backbones of profane economies, job-creators and unmoved movers operating from a celestial sphere.
This Sony nonsense is just one more dull proof along the pike.
The unintelligence community have long functioned as a 51st state, but were never able to hold an inaugural, since they are of course a Big Secret Nobody Knows Of. Their job is to be self-deluded, to play blind king in the valley of the sighted, to lead a life of pipe dreams in fantasyland (so, Hollywood! Dig it!) and cause endless suffering and death for people in the real world trying to get on with their portion of life.
It's a "métier", a profession!
The Pentagon are a more disciplined, religious Order at the disservice of the state. Their job is building/servicing battlefield-conditions test-bench altars dedicated to material and human sacrifice. They find winnowing-floor wars where dilemma's horns, honouring their gods, can be draped with victims and washed with victims' blood, in the hope of appeasement!
These gods, of course, are the complexed, ravenous military-industrial Deities, backbones of profane economies, job-creators and unmoved movers operating from a celestial sphere.
3
Why do I feel this situation is the worlds largest rickroll?
As there is little trade between North Korea and the US these sanctions will hardly have any great effect on Pyongyang. So they are largely symbolic and political than material, to demonstrate that the administration has done its duty to respond to any hostile act against US interests.
Despite isolation, North Korea needs to have access to financial institutions abroad for business transactions. Chinese mainstream banks which do business with the US have largely severed ties to North Korea, but smaller regional institutions have been willing to work with Pyongyang. Russia has emerged in recent months as its white knight and Putin has invited Kim to Moscow later this year.
Where did you read that the sanctions involved trade restrictions between the US and North Korea? The Times only regurgitated what they were provided. There was no "reporting" on what the "sanctions" entail, who they target other than "10 senior, unnamed officials," involved in either buying or selling "weapons technology" without, publishing that exhaustive list of ten names or what kind of weapons or what kind of technology.
There is nothing indicating the Times pressed the administration for any details. There is no comment from a named source. For some reason the New York Times won't publish the name of a "senior administration official" who apparently made a statement to reporters under the condition that his or her name not be used. What? No explanation about WHY a senior official needs anonymity?
A real reporter would question this lack of transparency and provide more color. A good reporter would explain who made the decisions and statements, what being done to punish North Korea, where the sanctions will be felt, when they take place and why the US government made the decision to implement these specific sanctions (detailed in the story) rather than any other sanctions. You know, journalism 101; who, what, where when and why.
The way this story is reported makes the Times look like another propagandist water carrier for the administration.
There is nothing indicating the Times pressed the administration for any details. There is no comment from a named source. For some reason the New York Times won't publish the name of a "senior administration official" who apparently made a statement to reporters under the condition that his or her name not be used. What? No explanation about WHY a senior official needs anonymity?
A real reporter would question this lack of transparency and provide more color. A good reporter would explain who made the decisions and statements, what being done to punish North Korea, where the sanctions will be felt, when they take place and why the US government made the decision to implement these specific sanctions (detailed in the story) rather than any other sanctions. You know, journalism 101; who, what, where when and why.
The way this story is reported makes the Times look like another propagandist water carrier for the administration.
4
Obama is an apt pupil. No coincidence Brennan is his closest adviser. This exercise in PUBLIC DIPLOMACY goes back to Reagan, Casey, the CIA and the Office of Public Diplomacy: to manipulate the media, Congress, and the American public. Casey to Brennan to a willing Obama, not mislead by his intelligence agencies but exercising leadership, as much as his predecessors, in keeping alive, indeed thriving on, a New Cold War.
Pathetic how USG officials must remain anonymous in their briefings--a condition acceptable to NYT and a supine press--as they spread propaganda (the function of public diplomacy) about a North Korea attack on Sony. Even more outrageous, Obama pleads state-secrets when asked to come up with proof of NK involvement: his despising of government transparency should by now be well known, as well his extremism in US foreign policy, a president who will go down in history for armed drone assassinations.
This carefully orchestrated campaign (its antecedents in the Reagan Iran-Contra affair) still has not presented evidence, and smacks of a new offensive: add NK to the Obama administrations studied confrontation, practically looking for war, with Russia and China. At the very least, NK fits well with Obama's Pacific-first strategy, coupled with TPP, to contain and isolate China.
Obama's closeness to the CIA, its ideology, covert operations, pathological ethnocentrism, is clearly evidenced by his quick (Dec. 19) charge of NK responsibility. Evidence?
Pathetic how USG officials must remain anonymous in their briefings--a condition acceptable to NYT and a supine press--as they spread propaganda (the function of public diplomacy) about a North Korea attack on Sony. Even more outrageous, Obama pleads state-secrets when asked to come up with proof of NK involvement: his despising of government transparency should by now be well known, as well his extremism in US foreign policy, a president who will go down in history for armed drone assassinations.
This carefully orchestrated campaign (its antecedents in the Reagan Iran-Contra affair) still has not presented evidence, and smacks of a new offensive: add NK to the Obama administrations studied confrontation, practically looking for war, with Russia and China. At the very least, NK fits well with Obama's Pacific-first strategy, coupled with TPP, to contain and isolate China.
Obama's closeness to the CIA, its ideology, covert operations, pathological ethnocentrism, is clearly evidenced by his quick (Dec. 19) charge of NK responsibility. Evidence?
10
People really need to think long and hard about our Government defending a Japanese owned movie studio located here in America producing and distributing a film about murdering their enemy just across the ocean from Japan. Of course the North Korean leader is our common foe, but this movie and the collusion of Sony, the F.B.I., and the administration is irrefutably deliberate propaganda.
18
Patrick
Think long and hard about claiming collusion and propaganda while thoughtlessly repeating talking points of evil doers in the defense of evil doers.
Think long and hard about claiming collusion and propaganda while thoughtlessly repeating talking points of evil doers in the defense of evil doers.
4
Exactly! What was the necessity of Mr.Obama getting involved. Then whats the differenece between the US and other tinpot leaders who control the media in their respective countries.
1
Exactly! What was the necessity of Mr.Obama getting involved. Then whats the differenece between the US and other tinpot leaders who control the media in their respective countries.
Cold blooded nation.
Although the cyberattacks were wrong and destructive, harming peoples equipment and reputations, the idea that our government would support the wide distribution of a film touting the killing of a nations leader scares me.
Just how deadly do you want to be?
Hollywood and the Government were always two peas in a pod since at least the World War Two newsreels were shown in theaters. Then there are the Television networks.................
Although the cyberattacks were wrong and destructive, harming peoples equipment and reputations, the idea that our government would support the wide distribution of a film touting the killing of a nations leader scares me.
Just how deadly do you want to be?
Hollywood and the Government were always two peas in a pod since at least the World War Two newsreels were shown in theaters. Then there are the Television networks.................
11
You don't actually believe North Korea actually hacked Sony ? No way, this is just another administrations lie, not quite sure yet why Obama is setting up North Korea, but there is no question he is. The biggest hackers all agree it was not North Korea. So, now we have Russia being Obama's target, which is very foolish, Putin is far smarter than Obama will ever hope to be . That said, none of this is good, in fact it's very dangerous with Obama and his women control freaks to think anything they do will be acceptable, and or beneficial, for anyone.
Sounds like Iraq all over again. But the issue is nothing if not this: "Why is America ready to enter another possible nuclear war situation with a country alleged to have (get this) hacked a private corporation's computers to gain access to "top secret" and "national defense secrets"? Or am I getting this story wrong?
Maybe there is much being kept from the American people again by the rouge secret CIA government OUR money funds? Maybe Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general are really nothing more than CIA operatives and assets?
Many Americans will come to the only reasonable alternative: Walt Disney is not dead! Neither is Elvis or Groucho. They all reside in a secret camp outside of Guantanamo where they are used to really torture our suspected terrorists.
It has the same logic: "None".
Could you imagine the response if the computer systems of Target, Macy's, Citibank, etc. were compromised by hackers? We know that is not possible unless done by aliens or some triangle of (whatever Bush II called it).
Saddam produced many documents to the USA and the UN showing Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. America's leaders said it was a trick. A zillion dollars and many lost lives and guess what: no WMD found in Iraq except a few dump sites which poisoned our troops (and it might be mentioned, the military leadership denied it was harmful to those poor misused and misguided members of our armed forces).
Prepare for another war!
Maybe there is much being kept from the American people again by the rouge secret CIA government OUR money funds? Maybe Hollywood actors and the movie industry in general are really nothing more than CIA operatives and assets?
Many Americans will come to the only reasonable alternative: Walt Disney is not dead! Neither is Elvis or Groucho. They all reside in a secret camp outside of Guantanamo where they are used to really torture our suspected terrorists.
It has the same logic: "None".
Could you imagine the response if the computer systems of Target, Macy's, Citibank, etc. were compromised by hackers? We know that is not possible unless done by aliens or some triangle of (whatever Bush II called it).
Saddam produced many documents to the USA and the UN showing Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. America's leaders said it was a trick. A zillion dollars and many lost lives and guess what: no WMD found in Iraq except a few dump sites which poisoned our troops (and it might be mentioned, the military leadership denied it was harmful to those poor misused and misguided members of our armed forces).
Prepare for another war!
4
This kind of sanction hurts US credibility. The US is the most powerful and influential nation in the world. There is no need to take a "proportional response" to every plausible offense.
8
By the time Obama leaves office, the US may not be the world's most powerful nation. We'll be lucky to remain in the top five.
Ordering sanctions... on a country that has NOTHING to do with this "Sony hack"... This is a lame distraction. And really, who cares about unHolywood
13
Seriously? And how do you know your information is accurate?
8
Talk about a missed diplomatic opportunity. About 1 day after we initially blamed K. Korea, the N. Koreans offered to do a joint inquiry with the US. We immediately shut down a potentially important joint activity that, whether or not it reached a firm conclusion on blame, would have given both countries the chance to talk. Talk on one topic can lead to diplomacy on others. Instead, Obama decided to pursue a proportional response (for his Hollywood fan/donor base) that lead to today's announcement of sanctions. If any other country took the actions we routinely take - without disclosure of our proof - we'd be first in line to criticize. Let's hope for more creative and thoughtful plans of action when we face the next inevitable crisis.
14
A missed diplomatic opportunity? That was the solution? Maybe it's not too late...
2
> But they continue to insist that they cannot explain the basis of the
> president’s declaration without revealing some of the most sensitive
> sources and technologies at their disposal.
Just remember, kiddies, the Bush admin said that about Iraq and the fabled WMDs too.
Didn't buy it then, don't buy it now.
> president’s declaration without revealing some of the most sensitive
> sources and technologies at their disposal.
Just remember, kiddies, the Bush admin said that about Iraq and the fabled WMDs too.
Didn't buy it then, don't buy it now.
17
Seems I recall that when the Bush Administration took power, No. Korea was still obligated under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement and had IAEA inspectors there. With the Bush Administration dismantling the Clinton era Agreement with No. Korea, No. Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement and tossed out the inspectors. I believe NK tested their 1st nuclear weapon in 2006 under the Bush Administration. The point is this tit for tat childish behavior does not benefit the American people but I do not expect anything to change because Pres. Obama would be wildly critized by the GOP as weak. So I see more of this escalation and I worry where it will lead.
8
" With the Bush Administration dismantling the Clinton era Agreement with No. Korea, No. Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement and tossed out the inspectors. I believe NK tested their 1st nuclear weapon in 2006 under the Bush Administration."
What are not recalling is that N. Korea started on their nuclear program just after the "Clinton era" agreement was signed. Maybe Obama can negotiate another treaty to get the N. Korean program amped up.
What are not recalling is that N. Korea started on their nuclear program just after the "Clinton era" agreement was signed. Maybe Obama can negotiate another treaty to get the N. Korean program amped up.
1
"Largely symbolic"
Didn't read past that.
Didn't read past that.
2
I applaud President Obama's decisive action. He has made it clear that the United States will not tolerate North Korean cyber-operations.
Sanctions will demonstrate the same American resolve that we imposed upon Cuba.
Sanctions will demonstrate the same American resolve that we imposed upon Cuba.
1
Decisive nonsense based on clouds of doubt. The election is over. Let's set aside tit-for-tat distractions that could turn nasty quickly. And I'm assuming the administration realizes finally that frowning at North Korea will win it no praise from the Republicans.
3
Acting on indeterminate information is not decisive action.
10
Oy vey a timid man being bold - and on intelligence gathered by the FBI! God help us.
10
The over use of sanctions could very well open up a Pandora´s box.
During both wwars capitalism functioned quietly behind the lines-
Now capitalism, as sanctions, have become ( instead of diplomacy )
the first line of offense.
You are now holding the pan by the handle, but in the future those
actions could very well undermind the stability of many innocent
countries dependent of this capitalism system that you have defended
and killed for many years.
9
I am surprised at the number of folks who dont believe Obama when he says that he has better proof than run of the mill computer experts. Obama has NSA and NSA has all the information we the people didnt even know existed until recently. Dont you think the NSA is keeping ahead of North Korea on intelligence? Dont you think China and the rest of them are easily willing to call Obama into question asking 'where is the proof' when they know perfectly well that Obama cant reveal the details without giving away the power of the NSA? North Korea is crazy not stupid. They have computer savvy, they have nuclear capability. Dont underestimate them by thinking "The Interview" was a documentary research project. Kim Jong Un is dangerous and ruthless. Recall his favorite uncle..........?
8
It's more than runofthemill experts that disagree with the FBI. It's some of the best e-security firms.
I doubt that any government has better experts than the best security firms.
I doubt that any government has better experts than the best security firms.
6
Could it be because he has a record of blatantly lying since the beginning of his term. I'm still looking for that $2500 I was supposed to save on my annual health insurance. I had to pay triple in order to keep my current family physician.
2
It's good to know that the Sony sanctions are only the first step after the country repeatedly threatened to nuke the US over the last two years. But I do have to wonder if the Administration has heard of the idiom "you can't get blood from a stone". Perhaps it isn't North Korea to whom we should be applying pressure.
3
Is N. Korea the real culprit? http://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-the-fbi-get-it-wrong-on-north-korea/
8
I don't see how anyone could believe that this is not a NK attack. First, it's not that easy to hide the tracks. The hackers had root access, and they were able to take large amounts of data out... armed with a warrant, the FBI could pretty much verify any former disgruntled employee. What's the motive? Hackers usually post messages boasting of their exploits afterwards and put up why too. Anonymous, for example, almost always posts messages explaining their motives. This was not done in a plausible way. It simply boggles the mind why others armed with very little evidence which the FBI has, could claim this is not a NK attack.
6
I see the present sanction against North Korea as a futile exercise. The sanction is only against organizations that procure missiles / missile parts for North Korea. The communist country already has enough stockpile of weapons. Moreover, if one door is closed by the U.S., the secret regime there will open another door with the help of China or other like minded countries.
I feel, the U.S. government should have come out with proof of wrong doing by North Korea because North Korea has never been afraid of making noises, even though it is an empty rhetoric. The North Koreans, who have taken the contents of the movie seriously, would have only rejoiced hacking, if they had really done it.
I feel, the U.S. government should have come out with proof of wrong doing by North Korea because North Korea has never been afraid of making noises, even though it is an empty rhetoric. The North Koreans, who have taken the contents of the movie seriously, would have only rejoiced hacking, if they had really done it.
3
"The North Koreans, who have taken the contents of the movie seriously"
If they, in fact, did so, then they would be laughing at the movie, just as we are doing. Really, how else can anyone interpret the movie?
If they, in fact, did so, then they would be laughing at the movie, just as we are doing. Really, how else can anyone interpret the movie?
. . . and I thought the DPRK was dysfunctional and paranoid until I read this article!
11
If there are any tech security fans out there, out of curiosity was the Sony attack potentially a "live fire drill" by whoever did it? Is there an equivalent to MAD policy and second-strike capabilities between state actors that therefore protect critical US military and civilian computerized infrastructure from preemptive destruction? How would the role of non-state actors play out in such computer doomsday-destruction scenarios?
The suspicion that the cyberattack originated within Sony itself begs the question of "Why?" It's possible, especially in an industry where petty jealousies may spiral easily out-of-control but still -- any plausible in-house motivation is very hard to credit.
Not so for North Korea which, in its paranoid bunker, had every reason to react. So this is a crime mystery waiting to be written, either as documentary, as fiction, or both.
Coming soon to cinemas and bookstores near you!
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Not so for North Korea which, in its paranoid bunker, had every reason to react. So this is a crime mystery waiting to be written, either as documentary, as fiction, or both.
Coming soon to cinemas and bookstores near you!
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
Obama is extending the jurisdiction of the United States executive to foreign corporations under our security umbrella, in this case Sony. Wall Street, investors and corporate interests have always thoroughly supported using American power to protect transnational corporations after decades of using U.S. power to support American corporations.
This is the next step in American globalization. Whether North Korea really did it and whether Obama is basing his judgments on "secret evidence" is beside the point.
The financial powers that be demand that U.S. taxpayers foot the security bill for private interests and private corporations.
This is the next step in American globalization. Whether North Korea really did it and whether Obama is basing his judgments on "secret evidence" is beside the point.
The financial powers that be demand that U.S. taxpayers foot the security bill for private interests and private corporations.
19
Private interests and private corporations may very well be responsible for most of the jobs and incomes of those reading your comment. Or, do you suppose that most of us are supported cradle to grave by the government?
3
The US of A imposes strict sanctions on ten private Korean citizens and two Korean government units in retaliation for a "cyberattack" against a movie studio in the US? Against a movie studio? Really? Now I know that Hollywood is one of Obama's biggest sources of support, but come on, a "cyberattack" against a movie studio? When some leading cyber experts say it was an internal revenge attack from a former Sony employee? We sanction ten private Korean citizens? Is this a strange world, or what?
16
Whether NK principals hacked Sony or not, is really a moot point at this time. The US has seen fit to impose more sanctions on a country where previous sanctions have had little effect. Sanctions have had little effect on Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon. Sanctions have had some effect on Russia-coupled with the glut of oil.
It is time for western and Asian countries to decide that the murderous Kim regime cannot be endured longer. For decades, we have watched the country become one great gulag with starvation, malnutrition of children and gross mistreatment of masses of the population.
Aside from any overt military action, erosion of the country must come from within. Members of the ruling junta under Kim are not all taken by the obscene "God" worship afforded Kim. I suspect that there are ways to undermine and overthrow the Kim regime. Naturally, one has to keep in mind that what follows may be worse. It is very difficult to disengage a country so long brainwashed. Even the fall of the CCCP resulted in the current autocratic rule of Putin. One solution is the reunification of both Koreas-but South Korea cannot afford that and cannot have millions of North Koreans coming south. NK must be remade with it's current boundaries with gradual unification steps over a long time. Nk must also destroy all nuclear weapons and missiles.
It is time for western and Asian countries to decide that the murderous Kim regime cannot be endured longer. For decades, we have watched the country become one great gulag with starvation, malnutrition of children and gross mistreatment of masses of the population.
Aside from any overt military action, erosion of the country must come from within. Members of the ruling junta under Kim are not all taken by the obscene "God" worship afforded Kim. I suspect that there are ways to undermine and overthrow the Kim regime. Naturally, one has to keep in mind that what follows may be worse. It is very difficult to disengage a country so long brainwashed. Even the fall of the CCCP resulted in the current autocratic rule of Putin. One solution is the reunification of both Koreas-but South Korea cannot afford that and cannot have millions of North Koreans coming south. NK must be remade with it's current boundaries with gradual unification steps over a long time. Nk must also destroy all nuclear weapons and missiles.
I'm wondering how many of you can see the water that's being carried here. You look at a Sat Map of the planet and North Korea is the pitch black spot with no lights. Yet you geniuses believe Dear Leader to the very end, and still carry his water to this day.
There is no IpSec threat from North Korea. There never was. Ask any IT Security guy of any government agency and he'll laugh right in your face.
There is no IpSec threat from North Korea. There never was. Ask any IT Security guy of any government agency and he'll laugh right in your face.
6
Way to avoid the issue.
Sony suffered more damage that you can cover. Threats were made.
Sony suffered more damage that you can cover. Threats were made.
3
What are sanctions going to do to a country which has made the idea of American interference as the source of all its ills as part of its main propaganda narrative supposed to do but to further support and embellish those claims while people starve?
3
life imitating art. watch the first episode of the S. Korean drama, "Spy Myong Wol". Apparently N. Korea actually has an "anti-drama" squad. In show business, if there's no such thing as bad publicity, Kim Jung-Un is on a role. Two years ago--friends with Dennis Rodman, the most popular American. Last year--Handsomest Man in the World (not disputed even in China), and this year, full fledged movie star, and with the anti-drama squad in full action. Who writes this stuff? ("Nut Rage" with a distressed romance thrown in, could have been written by the Hong Sisters. Enough already--don't confuse a personality quirk with policy.)
Who says the Hong sisters did not write nut rage? Read the script, just like Hong scripts.
And the plot twist with the younger sister tweeting threats like a sociopath out of touch with the limits of power when giving the finger to the Korean state? And a younger brother who pushes the elderly around? Did she make the steward bow becaus she was secretly lattracted to him? All set up for more conflict until the Confucian family and order is restored in episode 18. Hong signature marks. NSA will have the skinny.
And the plot twist with the younger sister tweeting threats like a sociopath out of touch with the limits of power when giving the finger to the Korean state? And a younger brother who pushes the elderly around? Did she make the steward bow becaus she was secretly lattracted to him? All set up for more conflict until the Confucian family and order is restored in episode 18. Hong signature marks. NSA will have the skinny.
3
I know I can't believe the North Koreans, but my own government also lacks credibility.
The North Koreans are the new bogeyman.He's gonna get you.
Could our own government, or contractors have done this to move us closer to the abyss?
Big money to be made in cyber war.
The North Koreans are the new bogeyman.He's gonna get you.
Could our own government, or contractors have done this to move us closer to the abyss?
Big money to be made in cyber war.
10
What about the theory that it might be an inside-job from an ex-SONY employee? Robert at OSINT News: www.osintdaily.blogspot.com
6
I do not find it hard to believe that North Korea is motivated to harm a Japanese multinational corporation. Nor that the NSA could determine this using evidence that is highly classified.
After all North Korea hates all things Japanese and Sony is distributing a film that turns not just their leader but most of their country into dupes.
And the NSA has a lot of shiny toys, not all of which are used to spy on Americans.
But why exactly do we need to come up with a proportionate response? Let the Japanese do it.
After all North Korea hates all things Japanese and Sony is distributing a film that turns not just their leader but most of their country into dupes.
And the NSA has a lot of shiny toys, not all of which are used to spy on Americans.
But why exactly do we need to come up with a proportionate response? Let the Japanese do it.
2
The US sounds like a rogue nation doing what it wants without a shred of evidence. Its like we can torture defenseless prisoners and not charge them with any provable offenses.Are these the actions a rightful US government would insist legit governments to follow?.
22
Since the main internet trunks to N. Korea are extensions of china's. I do believe their is security intelligence not shared except at high levels.
In this case for N.Korea to have attacked Sony they basically got a nod from China by their inaction to prevent it. At which point I suspect high level discussions took place between the White House and China. Those talks would have been about If China was going to inhibit our attack or step back and allow it to be unchallenged since they essentially control and monitor the extended network into and out of N.Korea.
In this case for N.Korea to have attacked Sony they basically got a nod from China by their inaction to prevent it. At which point I suspect high level discussions took place between the White House and China. Those talks would have been about If China was going to inhibit our attack or step back and allow it to be unchallenged since they essentially control and monitor the extended network into and out of N.Korea.
2
I don't see why anybody should by punished by our government for the Sony hacking. Other than a few Hollywoods being embarrassed, no real harm was done. Wait a minute...the wealthy, powerful, privileged were offended so somewhere, someones' heads gotta roll.
8
Right, why should anyone ever give North Korea a hard time?
2
The hack included revealing ~47,000 Social Security and Taxpayer Identification numbers, paired with names. Still think that it was harmless?
Sanctions and Sanctions...against Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea and so on. It seems America runs short of strategies for diplomatic engagement to end the crisis.
26
Would you care to suggest a diplomatic solution to North Korea in the current context?
You can't push on a string.
You can't push on a string.
7
Tim, let's see now. There are nearly 200 sovereign nations in the world. Is the US supposed to come up with diplomatic solutions to problems that exist in all of them?
1
No, but let's start with North Korea.
2
If corporations are 'people', shouldn't we, the people, expect the same government backing as corporations when foreigners do bad things to us such kidnap, behead, threaten, hack, etc.?
In fact, why shouldn't we get the same rights as corporations, e.g., lower tax rates, ability to incorporate (and keep our money) abroad, take depreciation deductions on our capital expenditures (house, car, computers), set off losses against income we earn, etc.?
How/why is it that corporations can be treated as 'people' (I am sure 2nd amendment rights are on their way), but the reverse is not possible?
In fact, why shouldn't we get the same rights as corporations, e.g., lower tax rates, ability to incorporate (and keep our money) abroad, take depreciation deductions on our capital expenditures (house, car, computers), set off losses against income we earn, etc.?
How/why is it that corporations can be treated as 'people' (I am sure 2nd amendment rights are on their way), but the reverse is not possible?
24
No proof that the Norks were responsible, other than the code was written in Korean. Never mind that malware code is sold on the black market for anyone to purchase and use.
The initial hack never mentioned the "Interview" movie, it was a lulz-style hack. Besides, it's not the M.O. for a nation state to dump files online under a cheesy name like, Guardians of Peace, and use a screen shot of Skeletor on infected computers.
I find it suspicious and insulting that Obama has imposed sanctions on a country for something they didn't do - regardless of who the leader may be.
The initial hack never mentioned the "Interview" movie, it was a lulz-style hack. Besides, it's not the M.O. for a nation state to dump files online under a cheesy name like, Guardians of Peace, and use a screen shot of Skeletor on infected computers.
I find it suspicious and insulting that Obama has imposed sanctions on a country for something they didn't do - regardless of who the leader may be.
29
Don't forget, North Korea is a "cheesy" nation. The leader will do anything to protect himself and his image, while keeping the country subservient and backward. So I don't put anything past him in terms of hacking Sony in order to prevent the release of the movie.
6
You have proof that they "didn't do it". I guess you're thinking that your proof would stack up against the CIA proof. Or, perhaps, the CIA proof only works for you when there is a Republican President.
1
It is becoming obvious to anyone in tech that NKorea was likely not involved.
FBI has managed to make US look both incompetent and impotent with our apparent retaliation for a "ghost" attack that never occurred.
Watch the movie War Games sometimes... this was the biggest fear of the cold war but instead of dumb government lobbing missiles at each other they're lobbing ion cannon / denial of service attacks.
FBI has managed to make US look both incompetent and impotent with our apparent retaliation for a "ghost" attack that never occurred.
Watch the movie War Games sometimes... this was the biggest fear of the cold war but instead of dumb government lobbing missiles at each other they're lobbing ion cannon / denial of service attacks.
8
Ghost attacks! Very catchy. A ghost attack got us Viet Nam and another variation got us Iraq II. Stay tuned. This show is not over yet. It was taking its usual station break ads-one by SONY about its movie about N.K.
3
For all of you Obama loving zombies, please wake up! It doesn't matter that Obama has a "D" after his name. He's not a democrat and is even more than a lying sack than Bush was. This reality is that the "Sony hack" was an inside job and a false flag "attack," which was not perpetrated by North Korea, done with the intention of bringing the failed SOPA and CISPA internet totalitarian bills back for another vote. Why? Because they (Obama) want to crush opposing opinions on the internet! Please wake up!
31
Mitchie124 is raising some incredible issues here. As I read them, I wonder where the gentleman received his sources. It is indeed a problem of limiting oneself to a single source of information. That source might be the Fox News. The other thing that worries me is the ability of planting distrust by the use of some fancy theories of some real objectives of a person as if steered by some inner dark mechanisms of that person, which is far from how Obama has worked! By saying not democratic, the leader has not been elected through a recognized process, and moreover one cements the notion that he runs the post through means that fall out of the law, and then he should be prosecuted! This is duping the intelligence of many readers here. I hear that even 9/11 was the work of Israel. I wonder why the New York Times gives space to such theories that have their sources in decisive groups who are hateful!
I honestly don't have a problem believing that the FBI is correct and that North Korea did this. This is exactly the type of thing that an insecure leader of a cult of personality country whose actions are never questioned would do. Also, all or most of the people who have tried to "debunk" the government's case have done a really weak job. Some have suggested that the language localization associated with the hacking software -- Korean -- suggests any country OTHER than North Korea because the language in North Korea is different than that of South Korea, for whom the "Korean" localization is presumably tailored. But this is an absurd argument. Regardless of the fact that North Korean may incorporate some translated Soviet Russian phrases and that North Korean may now be considered a different "dialect" than South Korean, the two languages are still nearly identical. They've only been split for 50 years. Additionally, none of the people complaining about the fact that the government taps and listens to all of our communications could believe that at least some of the evidence that the FBI has came from such taps. Finally, they came to their conclusion awfully quickly, meaning that they must have some pretty definitive evidence.
5
I would definitely agree with you, but the question which we are not asking now is where could this possibly lead? The DPRK might no longer be a treat to the United States, and am sure this administration did the right thing by taking a stand, can only be hopeful that the white House maintain realistic posture on the issue internationally.
Never let the facts get in the way of an agenda.
Fit the facts to the agenda as necessary to support the agenda.
Never allow the truth come out to counter the facts made to fit the agenda.
Double down on the failed policy decision based upon erroneous assumptions and no factual basis.
Never apologize for a mistake.
Wash, rinse and repeat.
Fit the facts to the agenda as necessary to support the agenda.
Never allow the truth come out to counter the facts made to fit the agenda.
Double down on the failed policy decision based upon erroneous assumptions and no factual basis.
Never apologize for a mistake.
Wash, rinse and repeat.
32
I trust your are referring to North Korea and the decision making process that led to its egregious acts.
2
Wow, talk about your Gulf of Tonkin Resolution...holy WMDs, Batman!
Or, "remember the Maine," anyone?
Or, "remember the Maine," anyone?
14
Obama has been one disappointment after another. Sometimes I feel we are purposely being led astray- the North Koreans did it, no the Russians did it, no a disgruntled former Sony employee did it, no the North Koreans. This strategy of sending conflicting messages has a nefarious purpose.
Ever hear of the concept of the non linear world? It is used by just about every world leader out there today. Its purpose is to destabilize perception-nothing makes sense. By supplying contradictory stories it keeps the public from forming an opposition to the ruling elite. Because we can't construct a cohesive narrative against the status quo we give up. Between this story and conflicting government supplied economic indicators we are becoming more confused every day. We are mislead and lied to and our supposed world leaders take advantage of it.
It has become apparent that there are no true leaders in Washington D.C. Just a group of individuals who will do anything to remain in power. They have turned the nation into a bunch of apathetic people either unwilling to see the handwriting on the wall or ignorant. Both camps swallow what passes for government. My condolences to all future generations.
Ever hear of the concept of the non linear world? It is used by just about every world leader out there today. Its purpose is to destabilize perception-nothing makes sense. By supplying contradictory stories it keeps the public from forming an opposition to the ruling elite. Because we can't construct a cohesive narrative against the status quo we give up. Between this story and conflicting government supplied economic indicators we are becoming more confused every day. We are mislead and lied to and our supposed world leaders take advantage of it.
It has become apparent that there are no true leaders in Washington D.C. Just a group of individuals who will do anything to remain in power. They have turned the nation into a bunch of apathetic people either unwilling to see the handwriting on the wall or ignorant. Both camps swallow what passes for government. My condolences to all future generations.
18
This takes 'Corporations are people too' to absurd ends.
Our Government is 'responding' with our taxpayer dollars - and presumably human resources - to 'defend' a foreign-owned but US based private corporation? Let Sony fend for itself.
This is idiocy...
Our Government is 'responding' with our taxpayer dollars - and presumably human resources - to 'defend' a foreign-owned but US based private corporation? Let Sony fend for itself.
This is idiocy...
58
Our president, whom We the People elected twice, is defending artistic expression and freedom of speech. Hollywood movies are known around the world by almost everyone and they deserve protection. Hooray for Hollywood!
1
There are couple of issues here which bear inspection. First, we are getting conflicting reports about whether the North Koreans actually did this. There is some noise, credible noise, about a disgruntled Sony employee and some really poor security. Second, most sanctions we can levy have little effect. We know they counterfeit our money, run drugs and even kidnap people but most North Koreans and their operations are closely veiled and we've been able to detect but not dismantle. Maybe we out to sit this out so we don't look as ineffective as we are.
7
Sanctions that target the leaders of North Korea may be okay, but we should avoid or rescind sanctions that hurt most North Koreans.
6
What is China's end game by doing little of substance to rein in the unhinged North Korean regime, while millions of North Koreans starve to death? Does China benefit by promoting regional instability or global cyber-terrorism? Do they enjoy this, are they impotent or what?
1
What's so puzzling? Either you deal with the Devil you know -- Kim Family antics -- or the Devil you'd rather not -- national collapse, millions of refugees destabilizing the border, the American military triumphant on the Korean peninsula (Chinese doorstep).
6
Don't expect this, or any other US administration, to admit that they have no evidence that North Korea was behind the Sony hacking. Anymore than they would admit they have no evidence that Assad used chemical weapons on the Syrian people or that the US destabilized the democratically elected regime in Ukraine or that Russian separatists in Ukraine shot down MH17 or that Russia invaded Eastern Ukraine or that Iran is building nuclear weapons. And don't expect the NY Times or the Washington Post to point these things out.
32
North Korea what are you thinking? You had better stay away from Hollywood! Those folks are major Democrat Donors! That's a real red line. Stick to kidnapping stray Westerners and issuing threats.
13
But they didn't do it! Talk about a bunch of rank amateurs. They wont' lift a finger to help a US Marine in jail in Mexico but they go on internet rumors to cause an international indecent. Let me guess, there's a youtube video of the hack.
13
A part from the fact that Andrew Tahmooressi was a reservist and not on active duty, knew the border crossing (He had crossed it earlier in the day to spend time at a "love hotel" in Tijuana, as proven by credit card receipts) and was arresting for illegally carrying guns into Mexico -- which is a CLEARLY posted at every border crossing from the US), you apparently did not get the memo that he was released on October 31 and immediately returned to the US.
Given the fallacies pointed out above, I think we can safely discount your opinions regarding North Korea. You don't seem to have much regard for facts.
Given the fallacies pointed out above, I think we can safely discount your opinions regarding North Korea. You don't seem to have much regard for facts.
8
Unbelievable. As of Jan 1, not a single information security expert believed the DPRK allegations; all clues point to an inside job/ex-employee. And somehow the government goes ahead with sanctions against a country that couldn't harm the USA if it tried....
48
Tens of thousands of Americans are in range of north korean artillery to insure the U.S. has skin in the game, along with fifty million South Koreans.
The popular cavalier attitude that there is nothing at stake with north korea is contemptible. There have been many blood sacrifices including Captain Bonifas and Lt. Barrett. The cause of the sony hack and the appropriate policy can be debated but trash is trash.
The popular cavalier attitude that there is nothing at stake with north korea is contemptible. There have been many blood sacrifices including Captain Bonifas and Lt. Barrett. The cause of the sony hack and the appropriate policy can be debated but trash is trash.
4
How is it possible that a company (like so many others) so intent on moving profits overseas and not pay taxes here, so intent on eliminating American jobs (Sony recently moved an entire division from Culver City, California to Canada) has the gall to expect that taxpayer funded FBI (even if they are the Keystone Cops) and other government resources should be used to help them in any way?
Figure it out yourselves, Sony. Or get the Irish or Canadians or your Cayman bankers to help you with this. You deserve ZERO sympathy from American taxpayers. Zero.
Figure it out yourselves, Sony. Or get the Irish or Canadians or your Cayman bankers to help you with this. You deserve ZERO sympathy from American taxpayers. Zero.
57
I thought the FBI just admitted they didn't know who did the hacking/
15
And of course we still await any "evidence" that NK and not a disgruntled Sony employee was the hacker. Talk about painting oneself into a corner ...
39
Shades of the Bush Administration: "But Mr. Obama’s aides say those analysts do not have access to the evidence that persuaded the president, who is usually cautious on intelligence issues, to blame North Korea." Furthermore, the "evidence" won't be shown at the UN security council. China already called Obama's bluff seeing through the smoke and mirrors.
30
I believe the IT experts who said it was probably someone inside Sony who did all this to them rather than North Korea. I don't trust FBI one bit. Especially since they were warned about Boston Bombers by Russians and did nothing to stop them.
Sorry, but all this time the western media has been telling us that North Korea can't even afford to feed its people. It's so broke that all sorts of unfinished building projects stand frozen in time in Korea. We've been told that they communicate through Morse code and carrier pigeons. And now, all of the sudden, North Korea has this elite cyber army of thousands and thousands of soldiers who can easily bypass the sophisticated security networks of billion dollar multi-national corporation. The country where people are lucky to have a radio player, much less a computer?
Nice try, Obama, but you gotta wake pretty early in morning...
Sorry, but all this time the western media has been telling us that North Korea can't even afford to feed its people. It's so broke that all sorts of unfinished building projects stand frozen in time in Korea. We've been told that they communicate through Morse code and carrier pigeons. And now, all of the sudden, North Korea has this elite cyber army of thousands and thousands of soldiers who can easily bypass the sophisticated security networks of billion dollar multi-national corporation. The country where people are lucky to have a radio player, much less a computer?
Nice try, Obama, but you gotta wake pretty early in morning...
50
You really need to read up on NK. Yes, the people are starving. But that's because the vast majority of whatever GNP they have goes into their military — by far the largest in the world — and mischief like this.
9
The fact that North Korea chooses to use none of its resources for the betterment of ordinary citizens tells you nothing about the resources they have to support the ends of the ruling class or their style of life. If they want to support a group hackers, they certainly have the resources to do that.
20
NK's military is 'by far the largest in the world?' No, that would be the United States'.
8
Serious reliable sources are saying this was NOT the work of North Korea. It seems humanly IMPOSSIBLE that the FBI culled and vetted all the data so fast as to point the finger definitively at NK. I think this is a rush to punish someone, before we know all the answers. When a highly regarded cybersecurity analyst in Silicon valley reports that his data proves it was an Sony inside job, I'm more than uncomfortable that the US has imposed official sanctions with out undeniable proof. I'm seeing egg on our faces.
35
That's not true. The "reliable sources" simply started from the hypothesis that it was an inside job and, working backwards, found some people it figured out could be responsible. The firm admitted that at best this presented an alternate scenario not that they proved it was not NK.
8
This is all about nothing since China and Russia are the players in North Korea. Typical O 'fury', meaning nothing. Soon O will draw another 'red line' and strike the fear of 'god' into Kim. Best we put 'proportional response' in the phrase book of O's hope and change, just like Cuba.
5
The only sanctions that would really change North Korea's modus operandi would have to come from China and Russia. If you think that is coming any time soon I have a bridge to sell you.
7
Very smart move -- for sanctions to work, they need to specifically hurt the 20 or so North Koreans of any value to Kim.
Even smarter -- use the Sony attack as an excuse to go after those N. Koreans who truly worry us -- the ones involved in the missile and weapons trade.
Excellent move.