The only workable option is regime change and for that to happen China will have to play an active role. The price will no doubt be high but balanced against an H-bomb armed NK with ICBM's there really isn't much choice. The negotiations with Iran worked because Iran can engage robustly in the global economy under its current regime if it is free from sanctions and has much to lose in a military confrontation. Not so with NK, other than its nuclear program, NK has nothing of value to act as a deterrent, it is a military machine with scant consideration for the well being of its people. Without the nuclear option NK would be just another failed nation with a beggar's bowl.
3
Negotiations with the North Koreans have always been a mistake. Historically, it just encourages them while leading nowhere. They can and have spent years arguing over the shape of the table in an effort to achieve some sort of status. We are better off just targeting a sufficient number of hydrogen bombs at them and letting Kim worry about whether there will be an accident. As for the Chinese, they have to decide if it is worth it to them to have this nut case on their border. If they didn't, he would have been dead a long time ago.
3
Well, Don B. First, I presume that your mentioning of "the shape of the table" was in reference to the peace talks between the United States and Vietnam, way back when. That was then and this is now.
Second, you should not be so cavalier about hydrogen bombs. You can't just toss them around, as they have, um, shall we say, repercussions. If an attack is to be made against North Korea, it must be surgically precise. It must take out the seat of government, and also whatever C3 (Command, Control and Communications) which the North Korean military might retain in the absence of government apparatus from which it takes its orders.
Second, you should not be so cavalier about hydrogen bombs. You can't just toss them around, as they have, um, shall we say, repercussions. If an attack is to be made against North Korea, it must be surgically precise. It must take out the seat of government, and also whatever C3 (Command, Control and Communications) which the North Korean military might retain in the absence of government apparatus from which it takes its orders.
2
In a recent talk here in Los Alamos, Dr. Hecker listed the options for dealing with the DPRK. The one that had the fewest undesirable outcomes was to just talk to them. Treat them as equals. Provide economic assistance. Of course Mr. Tough Guy would scoff at this. But if we blow up their nuclear facility, which is very dirty, then China, Japan, South Korea, and other neighboring countries will be less than pleased when radioactive particles drift down on them.
4
I actually think the lithium ad was placed by US intel. If it was coming from NK why place an ad in the paper? They would just announce it, like they have done every other time. I highly doubt its Russia, as NK is as much of a threat to Russia as it is to China and US. The "ad" was to possibly influence the leader of China to commit to action when he visits the "southern white house" later this week. Mass media picks up the story, which is fear-mongering. Part of the "conditioning" to get us all onboard with the planned war in Asia against NK. China just needs to pick a side.
3
When nothing else works, those who have the most guns (or equivalent) are the ones who get to determine whatever they want assuming their firepower provides the ultimate convincing argument. That’s the way it has been since the beginning. Kim Jong-un is simply following the time-honored traditional approach to dealing with perceived threats and, beyond that, as his only real chance to get what he wants for his nation and himself (likely one and the same in his mind). Sanctions to force him to give up his only leverage on the outside world have been understandably ineffective. So our response to him, of course, has been along the usual lines as witnessed by our regular naval exercises with an arch enemy, South Korea and American troops there.
Though Kim Jong-Un’s executions of associates show him relentless in pursuing his objectives, it is a mistake to assume he is totally irrational. He must understand that the only real power of having nuclear weapons continues as long as they are not used. Since the usual approach has failed to get the desired response from him, it is time to move beyond it. Working with China to help modernize the country and help its people but not in a way that Kim will see as a threat to his position. Not realistic? Won’t work? Consider the alternatives.
Though Kim Jong-Un’s executions of associates show him relentless in pursuing his objectives, it is a mistake to assume he is totally irrational. He must understand that the only real power of having nuclear weapons continues as long as they are not used. Since the usual approach has failed to get the desired response from him, it is time to move beyond it. Working with China to help modernize the country and help its people but not in a way that Kim will see as a threat to his position. Not realistic? Won’t work? Consider the alternatives.
4
Successive American administrations have practiced duplicity to maintain the country's hegemony in Asia.
Presence of US armed forces Asia may be doing more than protecting the South Korea In fact, a unified Korea, with a combined population of 77 million people with the growing economic power of China and the increased trade with Japan, makes all Asia an increasing threat to the economic prowess of the United States. By promoting instability in Asia, and maintaining a massive military presence there, in Japan and Korea, Americans try deter China , Japan a vassal and Russia off-balance.
The real issue is not whether the N. Korea can have nuclear weapons, but whether the United States, which has nuclear arms capability on the Korean peninsula, is willing to work with the North towards negotiating a peace treaty. It could well be the North Koreans sincerely searching for peace. It may not be attracted to having nuclear weapons if peace can be established.
However, in this age of “regime change,” “pre-emptive war” doctrines, refinement of nuclear weapons, it is not surprising that the N. Korea plays the nuclear card. The tragedy is the failure of the people to demand that their leaders exhaust all avenues of dialogue and peace before contemplating war.
A constant deception to justify maintaining a state of militarism on the Korean Peninsula is the heart of the issue.
A "delusional, uninformed and utterly unsuited presidency" of Trump does not help.
Presence of US armed forces Asia may be doing more than protecting the South Korea In fact, a unified Korea, with a combined population of 77 million people with the growing economic power of China and the increased trade with Japan, makes all Asia an increasing threat to the economic prowess of the United States. By promoting instability in Asia, and maintaining a massive military presence there, in Japan and Korea, Americans try deter China , Japan a vassal and Russia off-balance.
The real issue is not whether the N. Korea can have nuclear weapons, but whether the United States, which has nuclear arms capability on the Korean peninsula, is willing to work with the North towards negotiating a peace treaty. It could well be the North Koreans sincerely searching for peace. It may not be attracted to having nuclear weapons if peace can be established.
However, in this age of “regime change,” “pre-emptive war” doctrines, refinement of nuclear weapons, it is not surprising that the N. Korea plays the nuclear card. The tragedy is the failure of the people to demand that their leaders exhaust all avenues of dialogue and peace before contemplating war.
A constant deception to justify maintaining a state of militarism on the Korean Peninsula is the heart of the issue.
A "delusional, uninformed and utterly unsuited presidency" of Trump does not help.
3
Only delusional and uninformed people think a Stalinesque dictator, let alone one who threatens to nuke other nations, is a desirable negotiating partner, especially given the bad faith negotiations of the last few decades.
1
Have you heard about the assassinated son of Kim Jong-Il inside a busy and congested international airport in Kuala Lumpur just a few months ago? Nk used VX gas, a fatal bio-chemical poison, at such a wide-open area. They could've and should've done that, if that urgent, in a remote, secluded place, perhaps after kidnapping. The message: we are ready to use VX gas on American soldiers and Seoul citizens.
NK is a truly demented polity. The whole populace is so abnormal that they are happy to even starve for their fat piggy leader. It has been proven time and again for the past 25 years that nothing can stop them from developing a hydrogenbomb atop an ICBM except for either a msssive campaign against NK including 2K ~ 3K surgical bombings and probably a couple of preemptive nuclear attacks upon Pyongyang or a Peace Treaty guaranteeing NK a permanent US army withdrawal from the Korean peninsula.
In a nutshell, only extreme measures can resolve the conundrum by now. The crisis has been deepening at every step of the way or efforts, for they were all based on rationalism and insights accumulated from the tradition of international power politics. Beware; NK is never a normal country; more so are their people.
Lots of leftists have vigorously tried to show that NK people are also peace-loving and normal; so are serial murderers and rapists, at least when they are not committing a crime.
It is high time the world stopped regarding NK as just a poor country trying to survive.
NK is a truly demented polity. The whole populace is so abnormal that they are happy to even starve for their fat piggy leader. It has been proven time and again for the past 25 years that nothing can stop them from developing a hydrogenbomb atop an ICBM except for either a msssive campaign against NK including 2K ~ 3K surgical bombings and probably a couple of preemptive nuclear attacks upon Pyongyang or a Peace Treaty guaranteeing NK a permanent US army withdrawal from the Korean peninsula.
In a nutshell, only extreme measures can resolve the conundrum by now. The crisis has been deepening at every step of the way or efforts, for they were all based on rationalism and insights accumulated from the tradition of international power politics. Beware; NK is never a normal country; more so are their people.
Lots of leftists have vigorously tried to show that NK people are also peace-loving and normal; so are serial murderers and rapists, at least when they are not committing a crime.
It is high time the world stopped regarding NK as just a poor country trying to survive.
If North Korea is determined to build a hydrogen bomb and to continually threaten to deliver it on the US, and if China is unwilling to take harsh steps, up to and including the starving of North Korea, then the US should deliver a few hydrogen bombs on North Korean nuclear sites. That should discourage further adventurism on the part of the Kim dynasty and China would have no one to blame but themselves.
6
Having an attack dog is a common strategy for personal security in a tough neighborhood. A crazy attack dog gives you even more respect and props: no one "messes" with you.
Hopefully, China realizes that ,in 2017, as the world's Second Economy & as a "no other choic" partner with U.S. as they have replaced much of our necessary manufacturing base with their cheap labor, and unregulated pollution---a WIN/WIN DEAL for the corporate elites of both superpowers will be played sensibly by that International Deck of TV Picture Cards, i.e, World Leaders at State Visits.
Perhaps all concerned have concluded that it is time to "put down" the no longer obedient wacko mutt. (And most North Koreans would breathe easier too. And hopefully get to eat better. Hey, then maybe finally declare the Korean War is over, after almost 70 years!
And then the South can bring Korean barbeque North in a feast of unification and peace. Crazy?: hey, not as crazy as Kim Jong-un.)
Hopefully, China realizes that ,in 2017, as the world's Second Economy & as a "no other choic" partner with U.S. as they have replaced much of our necessary manufacturing base with their cheap labor, and unregulated pollution---a WIN/WIN DEAL for the corporate elites of both superpowers will be played sensibly by that International Deck of TV Picture Cards, i.e, World Leaders at State Visits.
Perhaps all concerned have concluded that it is time to "put down" the no longer obedient wacko mutt. (And most North Koreans would breathe easier too. And hopefully get to eat better. Hey, then maybe finally declare the Korean War is over, after almost 70 years!
And then the South can bring Korean barbeque North in a feast of unification and peace. Crazy?: hey, not as crazy as Kim Jong-un.)
3
US and UN negotiations with various carrots and sticks has not worked. South Korea's "sunshine" policy has not worked. Japan's permission of remittances from North Koreans living in Japan to North Korea has not worked. Whatever China has been discussing with North Korea has not worked. It is imperative to stop North Korea from having a working and deliverable nuclear weapon because just one "hit" on South Korea or Japan would send the world into an economic and security crisis. This leaves one option: military strikes on every known or suspected missile site in North Korea.
2
That lithium ad sounds like classic Intelligence disinformation. Call the bluff. Make an offer. See if they could deliver the goods.
Read the article in its entirety.
"The street address given in the advertisement does not exist. The phone has been disconnected or no one answers."
"The street address given in the advertisement does not exist. The phone has been disconnected or no one answers."
2
Maybe the ad was tweeted by Trump.
Could the ad possibly be more Russian hanky-panky disinformation to freak out the US, especially since it appears OUR government is becoming more and more unstable an unqualified "First Son-In-Law" kind of taking the reins from a president who has the attention span and attitude of a spoiled two-year old? This could possibly be just another angle toward throwing us into chaos, or it could be a really serious threat because I don't have faith that anyone in the current administration has the experience or wherewithal to deal with North Korea should they get more belligerent.
3
Photo background:
After hearing that Mitch McConnell was ready to use the nuclear option later this week, Kim Jong-un conducted a post-electronic tweeting exercise with tiny notebooks ensuring a 140 word limit. Security was so tight the road cracked.
After hearing that Mitch McConnell was ready to use the nuclear option later this week, Kim Jong-un conducted a post-electronic tweeting exercise with tiny notebooks ensuring a 140 word limit. Security was so tight the road cracked.
7
Luckily the attending soldiers had plenty of Ramen noodles on hand, in their giant, Soviet era hats in case Kim got hungry, which happens often.
1
How much money could it take for the United States, Japan, South Korea and a contribution from the European Union to offer to set up food making and processing plants for poultry, meat and fish, provide farming equipment, provide fowl and meat animals, and whatever else the North Koreans need to feed themselves and build homes for themselves, and build an electric grid, in exchange for all the North Korean leadership to retire in luxury on some pacific island? And make one Korea. And get rid of their nuclear program.
4
The Kims would never agree. Wishful thinking.
2
Could it be a bluff? Go buy the lithium.
3
You remember the axsis of evil
So Trump will solve the North Korea problem. He was going to solve the ISIS problem with his secret plan because he knew more about ISIS than the generals. So much bluster. All of Trump's horses and all of Trump's men will not make North Korea non-nuclear again.
11
North Korea is what happens when the ideology that some people are more valuable than others prevails. It is a divided society. Those deemed worthy have food and shelter. The others sleep in the dirt and eat grass. If the Republicans have their way, this will be America in 50 years. At least North Korea is honest and doesn't claim to be a Christian nation.
23
WASHINGTON — The online ad reads like something only a tailor could love: an offer to sell 4 North Koreans highly fitted suits, set for delivery from the port of Dandong, China.
1
Regime change in cooperation with China is the way to go. China's reluctance so far has been that they don't want to deal with refugees pouring over their common border.
China, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan all want this to end, and China is in a position to make it happen without military action. It just requires the willingness to pay for the cleanup of the current mess.
Unlike the Middle East where religious factions make it difficult to cooperate, there is no real barrier to the reunification of Korea.
China, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan all want this to end, and China is in a position to make it happen without military action. It just requires the willingness to pay for the cleanup of the current mess.
Unlike the Middle East where religious factions make it difficult to cooperate, there is no real barrier to the reunification of Korea.
9
Sounds good, except for one pesky fact. The fact that the United States has not shown itself to be very good at managing "regime changes." Things seem to go wrong.
11
When North Korea declared its' successful testing of the Hydrogen bomb last year, the article of the NYT also raised doubt over the capability and the credential for the claim. But within a year, we could read the news about the ad. for sales 22pounds of pure lithium 6 every month. More than the USA, it should cause insomnia to China. If China is cool and pleased with the progress made on the nuclear -profile by North Korea then it is easy for the world to understand the support behind the screen by China. Instead of referring to the playbook of his predecessors, if Mr.Trump has a plan to limit
and monitor with a collaborative arrangement through his counterpart in Russia, the solution would be stronger and reachable in a short span.
The picture produced by the NYT (Getty Images) shows the deep -crack on the road where the NK's leader on discussion with his security /military personnel. Advancing in nuclear capability for destructive purpose will make
one to oversight/ignore the crack, right below his feet?
and monitor with a collaborative arrangement through his counterpart in Russia, the solution would be stronger and reachable in a short span.
The picture produced by the NYT (Getty Images) shows the deep -crack on the road where the NK's leader on discussion with his security /military personnel. Advancing in nuclear capability for destructive purpose will make
one to oversight/ignore the crack, right below his feet?
2
A nuke goes off in NK, millions dies and a radioactive cloud drift off. Trump says it was a NK nuke missile failure, and the Chinese say the US did the deed. Who are you going to believe?
You could say the same with NK. A nuke goes off in DC (detonated on the ground) and a radioactive cloud drifts off. NK says it wasn't them, and the Chinese concur. Who are you going to believe? Does it matter?
2
Probably Trump in this case since North Korea tests their nukes underground.
2
Trump's credibility is short of Kim Jong Un's. Pathetic!
4
by summer america will have begun an invasion of n/k, which will end in the same way the last few invasions did
trump will use it as a a diversion from his many failures
and if you dare criticise him, you will be branded a traitor
comedy doesnt get any better than america these days, folks
12
My guess is that he will wait until the impeachment hearings are underway. Once Trump drops the Big One on North Korea, North Korea will attack South Korea and total war will ensue with over a million casulties. China will seal its border with North Korea and there will be mass starvation, genocide, famine and the plague. The South Korean economy will collapse and the ripple effect will circle the planet in quick order. Trump will be declared unfit for office.
5
The low camp humor was started by Bill Clinton when he negotiated an end to NK's nuclear program.
For long time now, North Koreans have stated their firm belief that their nuclear weapons are the only thing standing between them and the dubious benefits of American "Regime Change".
Since our whole nuclear policy is based on these dreadful weapons serving as a "deterrent" who is to say the North Koreans are wrong?
In the long, tragic list of American interventions with government we demonize, has the USA ever attacked and overthrown a government that possessed nuclear weapons?
The North Korean move to thermonuclear weaponry is fully in keeping with our own policies and development.
And always remember our government's avowed policy to never rule out making a first nuclear strike. I assure you the North Koreans remember it.
This policy was renewed last year by Mr. Obama.
Still comfy with that policy under the new POTUS?
If not, then the problem is the policy not the particular Commander-in-Chief.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
Since our whole nuclear policy is based on these dreadful weapons serving as a "deterrent" who is to say the North Koreans are wrong?
In the long, tragic list of American interventions with government we demonize, has the USA ever attacked and overthrown a government that possessed nuclear weapons?
The North Korean move to thermonuclear weaponry is fully in keeping with our own policies and development.
And always remember our government's avowed policy to never rule out making a first nuclear strike. I assure you the North Koreans remember it.
This policy was renewed last year by Mr. Obama.
Still comfy with that policy under the new POTUS?
If not, then the problem is the policy not the particular Commander-in-Chief.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
6
A fair rendering of the problem. Pyongyang wanted assurances from China and the USA of its security in the beginning of those years on negations; the parties involved could never make such an assurance after all it would be rewarding a tyrant or words to that effect. Now N. Korea must be taken seriously but it may be too late to expect a rational solution.
1
I was in my undergrad and at my chemistry practical lab session when my professor said "be careful with that stuff (lithium), it could explode". I did not realize how deadly it was until now. Trump thinks that filling his cabinet people with money can do the job. This specific situation requires someone outside his comfort bubble, smart person to deal with rogue one.
3
The first US H-bomb test device used liquid Deuterium (heavy hydrogen) that had to be refrigerated. To eliminate this problem, the next test used Lithium Deuteride to hold the Deuterium. While the first test produced the expected 5 megaton yield, the second test produced a totally unexpected 15 megaton yield due to the Lithium becoming part of the nuclear reaction.
5
And we criticize Trump for surrounding himself with non diverse sycophants that only resembles himself. I suppose they closed down that whole main drag to stage that picture to make it look like he rules over a ghost town. That guy is scary, in such a pathetic way.
4
Didn't have to close it. Few vehicles available to use it.
1
I think it is potentially a terrible mistake to build a policy around deterrence when it comes to North Korea.
For one, there is no reason to believe that they won't sell all this technology and materials to every other dictator that wants the bomb and proliferation could spiral out of control. It could also trigger an arms race in Asia with Japan, and maybe South Korea.
Second, when the regime inevitably collapses some day, why should we believe that Kim, in a final act of vengeance, wouldn't launch all his nukes at the South, Japan, and the US? If he lasts 20 more years, he could have 100 weapons and the ICBMs to deliver them.
For one, there is no reason to believe that they won't sell all this technology and materials to every other dictator that wants the bomb and proliferation could spiral out of control. It could also trigger an arms race in Asia with Japan, and maybe South Korea.
Second, when the regime inevitably collapses some day, why should we believe that Kim, in a final act of vengeance, wouldn't launch all his nukes at the South, Japan, and the US? If he lasts 20 more years, he could have 100 weapons and the ICBMs to deliver them.
5
Negotiations require a win-win solution. Along with sticks, there must be carrots. China must get some way of avoiding having to take in millions of Koreans and reassurance that a united Korea would not be a military threat to them, possibly with some degree of future demilitarization. But Kim and his inner circle must also have some semblance of a win, however emotionally disturbing that may be. Like immunity, a place to live out their lives without danger of punishment. He and his immediate advisers must be led to think their lives are more in danger continuing on their present path than whatever else can be arranged, and that the alternative has some value to them.
This is highly unpalatable, and definitely means swallowing our collective pride, But the fate of the world is hanging in the balance.
This is highly unpalatable, and definitely means swallowing our collective pride, But the fate of the world is hanging in the balance.
4
The problem is that nothing gives more security than ruling over an independent country with an iron fist. There is simply no immunity deal that could possibly look more attractive than the situation that the NK leadership is in already. It is to their advantage to develop nuclear weapons to further secure their situation.
1
Without the implosion of the regime, any meaningful stop to this madness will not be possible. The time for talk is over. Strike them before they have the capability to strike back. Both South Korea, especially Seoul and some part of Japan may suffer collateral damage. Unfortunately, the longer we wait harder it will be to contain and limit the sufferings of those around them. China can object and Russia can whine but neither will waste their military resources to bail out this dog of a nation.
3
Do you realize that potentially millions will perish in S. Korea and probably Japan? In the typical American mentality, you probably don't care, as long as it's not you. So hear's the deal: It will be you too. N. Korea currently has the ability to do an EMP attack, as well as potentially launching a KN-08 or KN-14, which can reach almost all of the U.S.
And if N. Korea is determined enough, they can resort to simply detonating a nuke or other WMD on the ground in a U.S. city (or multiple cities).
And if N. Korea is determined enough, they can resort to simply detonating a nuke or other WMD on the ground in a U.S. city (or multiple cities).
8
There are 30-40 thousand American troops in South Korea as a tripwire to bring in more. Or be in immediate harm's way if we initiate action against NK. Plus doubtful if SK and Japan will agree to your pre-emptive proposal. But who knows, with the petulant man-child in the White House.
1
Who actually put the ad in ?
If it is real, should Trump make the decision how to deal with it?
Trump could possibly be at the entrance of impeachment proceedings.
This would be the mother of all diversions to rescue him from an almost certain fate of complete disgrace, and the spectacle of impeachment.
If he will endanger the world with his climate denial you can be sure he won't think twice about endangering all of us another way.
Perhaps it is a ruse with Putin helping to divert attention from himself and Trump. They can make it go critical long enough to take the heat off Trump and the Russian connection, then, surprise , surprise have it solved with Trumps "Brilliant" negotiating skills.
I wouldn't put anything past these two. They are capable of anything. Even a war if it will save their hides.
If it is real, should Trump make the decision how to deal with it?
Trump could possibly be at the entrance of impeachment proceedings.
This would be the mother of all diversions to rescue him from an almost certain fate of complete disgrace, and the spectacle of impeachment.
If he will endanger the world with his climate denial you can be sure he won't think twice about endangering all of us another way.
Perhaps it is a ruse with Putin helping to divert attention from himself and Trump. They can make it go critical long enough to take the heat off Trump and the Russian connection, then, surprise , surprise have it solved with Trumps "Brilliant" negotiating skills.
I wouldn't put anything past these two. They are capable of anything. Even a war if it will save their hides.
4
The notion that North Korea is "crazy" is pure propaganda. There is really nothing they have done that is remotely crazy. Instead, they have successfully faced down a hostile United States for over 50 years. They have made the folks from Harvard and Yale look feeble for several decades and and the most likely outcome is that Steve Bannon is going to have his turn. What would be crazy is to try to solve this problem militarily out of frustration with that.
3
I'm not sure I understand your definition of crazy. The population is on the brink of starvation. All available resources are diverted to the military and expensive perks to the ruling class. The leader has murdered his own uncle and half-brother just in case. Historians are not going to be recording this as a success story, and regardless of what we do it is not going to end well.
3
While not a successful nation, the leadership has been very successful for themselves. Selfish? Yes. Criminal? Yes. Effective? Yes. Crazy? No.
1
The ball is totally in Donald Trump's court. No opportunities to blame others or turn the job over to Congress and then point fingers. Time for him, his State Department, and the Defense Department to initiate and COMPLETE some definitive action.
So far the Trump White house has been more talk than action. Trump needs to go beyond his minions and sycophants and collect the wisest heads in the country and develop a well thought out, in depth policy. Whatever it is it will need to be a giant step beyond what has been used by previous Administrations.
If healthcare and the budget are any indication, Trump has no plan at all. It's time to make one!
Rather than a repeat performance of proving that Trump is the Greatest, Mr. Trump and his sycophants are going to have to take a giant step beyond the diplomacy and sanctions that worked with Iran but have been ineffective with N. Korea.
It will be risky, difficult, and painful but necessary. Pick something rather than bluster. Blockade ports, selective sanctions on China, covertly sink some ships. Something! The alternative, like a hydrogen bomb on Japan or the Western US are unthinkably awful.
So far the Trump White house has been more talk than action. Trump needs to go beyond his minions and sycophants and collect the wisest heads in the country and develop a well thought out, in depth policy. Whatever it is it will need to be a giant step beyond what has been used by previous Administrations.
If healthcare and the budget are any indication, Trump has no plan at all. It's time to make one!
Rather than a repeat performance of proving that Trump is the Greatest, Mr. Trump and his sycophants are going to have to take a giant step beyond the diplomacy and sanctions that worked with Iran but have been ineffective with N. Korea.
It will be risky, difficult, and painful but necessary. Pick something rather than bluster. Blockade ports, selective sanctions on China, covertly sink some ships. Something! The alternative, like a hydrogen bomb on Japan or the Western US are unthinkably awful.
1
Don't worry, Putin will come to Donald's aid. He's got too much invested.
2
I'm sorry, but just another observation about this photograph. Where else in the world could you find a six lane road in the middle of (morning, afternoon?) a major city with exactly one bystander in sight—and no cars—for as far as the eye can see? The decision to place the great lead over that crack in the pavement still has me baffled. Who, exactly, decided that this was the perfect spot? And while I'm thinking about it, who will get in trouble when someone higher up reads this comment?
Yes we are afraid of their missles. No, we are not afraid of North Koreans. Clearly North Koreans have enough to fear.
Yes we are afraid of their missles. No, we are not afraid of North Koreans. Clearly North Koreans have enough to fear.
3
The average American might oppose North Korean acquiring a nuclear arsenal, but Asian Americans think differently on the issue. You see, in 1945, Japan was the victim of a nuclear strike and did not have the capacity to retaliate in kind. In the back of every Asian person's mind, wherever he or she may live, the attack on Japan was an attack on every Asian nation, and the entire peoples of Asia. Ultimately, Asian nations need nuclear weapons for one purpose - to make sure that Hiroshima and Nagasaki never, ever happens again.
1
During the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, that was the operative strategy. It had a name -- "Mutually Assure Destruction," or MAD if you prefer the acronym. I submit that the acronym was an unwarranted smear on the name of a great magazine.
4
Long live The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere!
2
"The attack on Japan"?
You may be Asian, or a racist plant from Oklahoma, but your understanding of history is clearly defective.
Japan may have been goaded, or boxed into an economic corner, or whatever, but their decision to start and expand a world war was theirs alone. Their refusal to read the tea leaves and surrender was theirs alone. Their strategy of piggy-backing on the war in Europe was theirs alone. And Pearl Harbor.
I, personally, view the bombing of Japan as unforgivable, if somewhat understandable. But when you propose the the NRA solution, "more nukes is good nukes", you lose whatever argument you think you're making.
"Never, ever happens again" is a dangerous fantasy unless you put your bombs away and engage responsibly with the world.
You may be Asian, or a racist plant from Oklahoma, but your understanding of history is clearly defective.
Japan may have been goaded, or boxed into an economic corner, or whatever, but their decision to start and expand a world war was theirs alone. Their refusal to read the tea leaves and surrender was theirs alone. Their strategy of piggy-backing on the war in Europe was theirs alone. And Pearl Harbor.
I, personally, view the bombing of Japan as unforgivable, if somewhat understandable. But when you propose the the NRA solution, "more nukes is good nukes", you lose whatever argument you think you're making.
"Never, ever happens again" is a dangerous fantasy unless you put your bombs away and engage responsibly with the world.
2
Could failure to get China's support against North Korea give Trump the reason he needs to build an Alliance with Russia? And in order to get Russia's support he needs to list sanctions etc. ? NYT, if you haven't already can you do an in depth article analyzing Trump and his administrations foreign policy, put together all of his actions and non actions, the EU, NATO, NAFTA and beyond?
The clock is ticking. Unless the U.S. can persuade red China to take out this madman and his weapons of mass destruction he will possess intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting the U.S. mainland in a year or two. This existential threat to the very survival of the United States must be stopped and 'taken out" no matter what the cost. If China is willing to do this in return for the U.S. uniting Korea under a neutral government and withdrawing all forces then all the better. If they will not then the U.S. must act within a year at most and precision bomb every North Korean military installation including its nuclear reactors and missile sites along with its biological and chemical weapons facilities. It is one thing for the major powers ruled by sane and logical people such as the U.S., U.K., France, Russia and China to possess nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. It is quite another for an insane tyrant like Kim Jong-un to do so. If he gets them he will not wait long to use them on his old enemy the U.S. The President, Congress and U.S. Military must act decisively and quickly to avert planetary catastrophe. Give China say six months and if they do not roll over North Korea and take them out then the U.S. must. Our very survival is at stake.
6
Quick, do a comparison on the number of countries North Korea has attacked in the last 60 years and the number that the USA has.
Then tell me who is the existential threat to world peace.
Then tell me who is the existential threat to world peace.
6
This is no "existential threat to the US." That's absurd. The only existential threat to the US will come from within. That might be something to get hysterical about.
1
Whose madman is more unstable? Trump's itchy little twitter fingers on the nuclear football? Elections have consequences, but this?
1
Wasn't it sanctions on Japan by FDR that preceded the attack on Pearl Harbor? Are we really trying to push NK back into a corner?
6
Why, of course! All our congresspeople have just called their stockbroker to load up on Blackwater . . . the 'party' starts at nine.
2
The sanctions were placed on Japan for their attack on the Chinese, it was an appropriate response to Japanese aggression.
2
Steven, you're right, but it was 4 years (or 10 years if you include Manchuria) too late, as Japan invaded China proper in 1937. Getting back to 1931, I've always wondered what if President Hoover and Secretary of State Stimson had objected vociferously to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, to the point of going to war. Wartime economy ends the Depression, at least one fascist power is eliminated in its infancy along with communist China, as the ROC (Republic of China) would have had a chance to mature.
1
If this was other nations - any other nations on Earth - this sabre rattling between North Korea and the United States would be fodder for a mass media news cycle. It would be read, considered, and ignored by readers like me. But it is not any other nations. It is North Korea and the United States. Both countries are led by paranoid, childish, insecure, inexperienced leaders, both of whom have their fingers on the proverbial Button. Both of them want to prove something; theirs wants to prove that he's a big boy and capable of following in his family's footsteps, leading their military to greatness. Ours is so afraid of his own shadow that he listens to the voice - HIS voice - in his head and thinks everything he does will "make America great."
Our refuses to accept his own limitations. Theirs has no limitations other than those his military generals put in place. Ours is incompetent. Theirs is incompetent, too.
In the end, if this thing gets out of hand - and I have no sense that there are any cooler heads to prevail - the world will pay the ultimate price. South Korea will lose millions. The United States will unleash the power of its own nuclear arsenal. Other countries will come to the aid of one side or another.
And life as we know it will change forever.
Our refuses to accept his own limitations. Theirs has no limitations other than those his military generals put in place. Ours is incompetent. Theirs is incompetent, too.
In the end, if this thing gets out of hand - and I have no sense that there are any cooler heads to prevail - the world will pay the ultimate price. South Korea will lose millions. The United States will unleash the power of its own nuclear arsenal. Other countries will come to the aid of one side or another.
And life as we know it will change forever.
8
Lithium is used in regulating mood, thinking and behavior particularly in reducing the severity of manic episodes. Perhaps they pulled the ad because they realized they needed all they could get or lithium 6 may be more effective than regular lithium salts as a drug.
3
. . . and they figured they were going to to need all they could get their hands on for the HappyHair twins.
1
Given the history of North Korean missile and rocket tests, the chances are very good that something will go wrong and they end up nuking themselves. A launch failure (missile blowing up on the pad) would inflict great damage in the launch area. As this site is NW of Pyngyang, fallout, from such a disaster, would certainly make it there rather quickly. Also, consider that fallout would affect much of the land used fro agriculture. these people are playing a very dangerous game of chicken.
North Korean propaganda videos have shown for several years a nuclear North Korea setting a nuclear fire in China, Japan, the US and South Korea. The claim they can nuke their neighbors and their great Son God (Kim Jong-Un) will protect the people from fall out. Such is life, in a country, where people are told they live the best lifestyle on Earth, as the rest of the world resembles a worn torn landscape.
So, the nations multi-million man army, plus its citizens, are ready to lay down their lives for their great leader. Making the insanity of this nation, complete.
The world has to really rely on China to try to defuse this. The Trump Administration has decided the best way to deal with North Korea was to stoke a boiler to the point of blowing up. Trump and Kim are very similar, in their insane mindset.
Never has there been a time that the world has to hope that China takes a lead that the United States has ceded. The Doomsday Clock is now even more closer to midnight.
North Korean propaganda videos have shown for several years a nuclear North Korea setting a nuclear fire in China, Japan, the US and South Korea. The claim they can nuke their neighbors and their great Son God (Kim Jong-Un) will protect the people from fall out. Such is life, in a country, where people are told they live the best lifestyle on Earth, as the rest of the world resembles a worn torn landscape.
So, the nations multi-million man army, plus its citizens, are ready to lay down their lives for their great leader. Making the insanity of this nation, complete.
The world has to really rely on China to try to defuse this. The Trump Administration has decided the best way to deal with North Korea was to stoke a boiler to the point of blowing up. Trump and Kim are very similar, in their insane mindset.
Never has there been a time that the world has to hope that China takes a lead that the United States has ceded. The Doomsday Clock is now even more closer to midnight.
5
Reading this story, I am having trouble figuring out why this is "breaking news". The UN report cited goes back to late February 2017 and was cited by the Wall Street Journal back on March 9. And yet the Times' coverage seems to treat this as a wholly new nugget of information which seems oddly timed given the China summit later this week.
The WSJ story is behind a paywall, so here is a link to the story which appears at the Faux News website:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/09/north-korea-tried-to-sell-nuclea...
Note that even the Murdoch owned WSJ observed:
"Lithium also has nonmilitary applications, particularly in producing batteries, lubricants and medicines, nuclear experts said. North Korea is believed to have significant natural deposits of the metal in its soil."
The WSJ story is behind a paywall, so here is a link to the story which appears at the Faux News website:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/09/north-korea-tried-to-sell-nuclea...
Note that even the Murdoch owned WSJ observed:
"Lithium also has nonmilitary applications, particularly in producing batteries, lubricants and medicines, nuclear experts said. North Korea is believed to have significant natural deposits of the metal in its soil."
2
As they say at Marvel and D.C. --- Ka---BOOM... Time for "nuclear winter"...that'll slow down that global warming real good...
Here's an idea --- why doesn't Betsy DeVos just pay for every child in America to attend a parochial school, a private school.
She's probably got that in her purse --- you know what I'm saying.
Thanks Betsy.
Boy those boys at the Judicial CRISIS Center and other Koch Bros. PACs are shelling out millions for t.v. ads in support of the Scalia Redux vicious conservative Gorsuch. Look out --- all women, elections, labor, progressives, weediquitte, all minorities, liberals, AHC, the environment, the poor, the LBGT, Gorsuch exemplifies the corrupt meritocracy...He's an academic joke.
Here's an idea --- why doesn't Betsy DeVos just pay for every child in America to attend a parochial school, a private school.
She's probably got that in her purse --- you know what I'm saying.
Thanks Betsy.
Boy those boys at the Judicial CRISIS Center and other Koch Bros. PACs are shelling out millions for t.v. ads in support of the Scalia Redux vicious conservative Gorsuch. Look out --- all women, elections, labor, progressives, weediquitte, all minorities, liberals, AHC, the environment, the poor, the LBGT, Gorsuch exemplifies the corrupt meritocracy...He's an academic joke.
2
Really, is there no stylist on the set when this wonderful and revealing photo was taken? Couldn't someone have asked the great leader to step two meters backwards to avoid the sense that the whole country is falling into a crevasse?
1
Perhaps Douglas MacArthur was right? We could have solved this problem in 1952 but Truman and the State Dept. were opposed to his plans. The infamous British spy Kim Philby was given our military plans in advance by double agents in the State Dept. and the Chinese were able to checkmate us. MacArthur and the other generals knew what was happening but the politicians were afraid of confrontations with the USSR and China when our nuclear superiority was overwhelming and we squandered that advantage.
2
Two crazy men who don't care about their countries. A formula for nuclear disaster.
5
The North Korean hydrogen bomb maybe fantasy or fiction or the truth. But we a hydrogen bomb in the White House ready to explode rather implode onto Country and it's citizens. This is really the clear and present horror.
3
Here's the problem with nuclear weapons and the countries that possess them.
Your neighbor gets nukes.
Wow, I want some too.
Someone else tells you that you can't have any.
You counter by asking why not. If they can, so can I. You can't tell me what to do, so go away and leave me alone.
I'm not going to tell you again, you can't have them.
Tough, do something about it.
I'll be back.
You do that.
Your neighbor gets nukes.
Wow, I want some too.
Someone else tells you that you can't have any.
You counter by asking why not. If they can, so can I. You can't tell me what to do, so go away and leave me alone.
I'm not going to tell you again, you can't have them.
Tough, do something about it.
I'll be back.
You do that.
4
Not quite a novel yet, but I'm pretty sure you have the jist of it!
4
North Korea is one of nine nuclear weapons states. Obviously, with N. Korea's concern about being attacked and overthrown, creating a nuclear arsenal is their ultimate guarantee that will not happen. It would seem there is little anybody in the world can do about that, unless they are willing to precipitate a truly nasty cataclysm.
Because of the ramifications of using a nuclear weapon (having one's state in short order demolished by other nuclear powers), N. Korea will never use its nuclear weapons if it is not attacked. One has to hope that at some point, the North and the South will reach an amicable situation and will reunite, at which point the North's weapons could be eliminated.
If Trump, in his seemingly persistent state of stupidity, attempts to attack N. Korea to eliminate their nuclear capabilities, the world is in for a horrible shock, maybe even nuclear Armageddon. Trump, because of the power given to him by stupid Americans, is the most dangerous man in the world right now.
Because of the ramifications of using a nuclear weapon (having one's state in short order demolished by other nuclear powers), N. Korea will never use its nuclear weapons if it is not attacked. One has to hope that at some point, the North and the South will reach an amicable situation and will reunite, at which point the North's weapons could be eliminated.
If Trump, in his seemingly persistent state of stupidity, attempts to attack N. Korea to eliminate their nuclear capabilities, the world is in for a horrible shock, maybe even nuclear Armageddon. Trump, because of the power given to him by stupid Americans, is the most dangerous man in the world right now.
5
At which point the North's weapons could be eliminated? A United Korea will disarm its nuclear weapons exactly when the United States will - never.
1
The whole world will eliminate nuclear weapons at some point, or much of life on Earth will disappear as a result of nuclear Holocaust.
2
If the regime is crazy and has nuclear ir hydrogen bombs , should not China be afraid also? If NK lunches a nuclar attack aginst SK, Japan or the US, NK will be destroyed, radiation will spreadm into China and the economy of the world could be destroyed. China and the US have to be together in this. A premtive strike is not going to happen for many reasons. NK hat to attack first somehow. SK Japan or the US has to sacrify a city, the NK will be destroyed and millions will die. Case closed
Reality Check most what these leaders inflict fear into their people im not impressed by north korea missles neither is rest of world. There existance depends on china need to hold dog on leash. Why they play along with this is pure maddess
I know the US gets blamed for everything all the time. Al-Qaeda, ISIS, even the Russian takeover of Crimea over NATO expansion. Perhaps also North Korea's brinkmanship. Americans should not feel surprised. When you are the biggest and most powerful nation on the planet how can you avoid shaping the world. IF an elephants shares space with ants, the elephant makes their behaviour.
1
Why would an elephant care about what ants are doing? They're ants.
1
China is the only hope here. Either they manage an overthrow of the current regime, and then install a new regime that will dismantle the nuclear program, or NK is going to increasingly develop its nuclear capacity.
The West has limited options. We cannot invade or bomb NK. The South would suffer immensely.
The pivotal question is, not do *we* want a nuclear North Korea, but rather, is China really comfortable with that happening? Unless I am missing something, while I can see why China may like the instability a nuclear-desiring North Korea provides, I can see no upside for the Chinese in North Korea becoming a fully operational nuclear state.
And the clock is ticking. China needs to act, and soon.
The West has limited options. We cannot invade or bomb NK. The South would suffer immensely.
The pivotal question is, not do *we* want a nuclear North Korea, but rather, is China really comfortable with that happening? Unless I am missing something, while I can see why China may like the instability a nuclear-desiring North Korea provides, I can see no upside for the Chinese in North Korea becoming a fully operational nuclear state.
And the clock is ticking. China needs to act, and soon.
Perhaps if China does not do our bidding, we might try to create a split between China and North Korea such that North Korea is led to add one more country to its long list of enemies and then China might see some things differently.
3
While the Bravo 'mistake' was some time ago, our scientists were truly caught off guard by the yield of the weapon, which would have put observers at more risk if extra distance wasn't built in by several times the amount anticipated.
I would hate for NK to be surprised by seeing the supposed containment rock over their test site suddenly erupt like Mt Saint Helens or become a large crater full of molten rock.
I would hate for NK to be surprised by seeing the supposed containment rock over their test site suddenly erupt like Mt Saint Helens or become a large crater full of molten rock.
Washington - we got a problem bigger than the Democrats!
The Trump child is going to tell Xi that he is going to shoot one of Kim's missiles out of the air with the THAAD system next time there is an opportunity.
That should create the crisis Trump is clearly looking to create.
It not NK it will be Iran, the Trump child thinks a conflict will help him take more power and mute his opponents...its straight out of the Putin/Dictators playbook. Get ready for it.
That should create the crisis Trump is clearly looking to create.
It not NK it will be Iran, the Trump child thinks a conflict will help him take more power and mute his opponents...its straight out of the Putin/Dictators playbook. Get ready for it.
5
It is very concerning that Trump could potentially start a conflict with North Korea as the ultimate distraction from his other "troubles".
2
Should I sell everything and move from the beach in California to Argentina?
2
I don't think you need to leave because of this subject, but I'd be giving some serious thought to global warming and the rising waters of the worlds oceans. Argentina sounds great, just don't live on the beach. Move inland.
Kim Jong-un is basically a blowhard and bombastic idiot like Trump. The North Koreans, in particular, Mini Me Dear Leader, wants attention from the rest of the world. Being severely disturbed, like Trump, doesn't phase him at all. Give him a shiny object to play with and stroke his enlarged ego and he'll feel even more important than he really is, again, just like Trump.
The real danger here is Trump, with his proclivity to over react and show everyone how smart he is.
These two creatures are unruly, spoiled and over indulged children. Give them both a new toy and things will calm down.
The real danger here is Trump, with his proclivity to over react and show everyone how smart he is.
These two creatures are unruly, spoiled and over indulged children. Give them both a new toy and things will calm down.
2
The real danger is Iran. If you don't think they are working on a nuclear bomb I have Persian rug to sell you.
1
I wonder why you think President Trump is inclined to try to 'show everyone how smart he is'? I don't think he has tried to display his intelligence yet, or have I missed something?
1
Doug. He keeps telling us he is the smartest man around. He knows all and tells all. He even knows more than the generals. How can any of us doubt this man?
1
One erratic man with crazy hair is hell bent on acquiring nuclear weapons. A second erratic man with crazy hair doesn't know how to stop the first man, but knows he would do anything at all to muzzle the losers among his own citizens who fail to recognize his own brilliance. For both men, government policy is essentially photo ops. Not democracy. Not rule of law. Now throw in the following and shake well: assassination, nuclear war, war games, election interference, ex-generals, hundreds of thousands of troops, millions of possible refugees, a dictator, gulags, our very own shaky democracy.
3
N. Korea finalized its nuclear capabilities under our former president who dealt with the problem by ignoring it. Frankly, I'd be a bit more concerned with someone with a dirty bomb who doesn't mind killing themselves for the sake of their religion.
I was under the impression that North Korea is continuing to develop its nuclear capabilities. Could you say more about what you had in mind?
It means that North Korea can presently bomb most parts of the U.S., and the media and the government are either in denial about it or are intentially downplaying this for some reason.
1
Thank god sanity and stability prevail at the highest levels of government in both the US and North Korea!
3
Funny
1
We have a lot to fear.
After his disastrous defeat on Trumpcare and his seeming inability to deal with trade, another failed promise, he is likely to risk war with N. Korea to bolster his sagging popularity ratings - all he really cares about. In his clouded mind he probably thinks that being a wartime president would be good for his image.
After his disastrous defeat on Trumpcare and his seeming inability to deal with trade, another failed promise, he is likely to risk war with N. Korea to bolster his sagging popularity ratings - all he really cares about. In his clouded mind he probably thinks that being a wartime president would be good for his image.
10
Wouldn't it? It has worked before for incompetent folks. Why should it be different this time?
5
Trump couldn't stop a stopped locomotive. If N. Korea is hell bent on developing a bomb it will the Chinese to stop them. The Chinese don't want two million N. Korean refugees pouring over their border...they have enough trouble as it is. The Chinese have a very very real interest in maintaining stability in the region and will wade in when needed. Trump would be wise to stop the John Wayne masquerade and appreciate the value of the Chinese approach. It's called: coolheaded.
2
Do you have some ideas about exactly when it would be in the Chinese interest to intervene? Why isn't it a bit late already?
This doesn't make sense. Why list such a suspicious item in the classified ads section of the local paper? Under your own name? If you're in the business of making bombs why do you sell what you need to make those bombs? Even if you have surplus, why sell it? WE know they have nuclear weapons and an active program, so what do they gain by telling us they have excess lithium 6? This sounds an awful lot like the yellowcake for sale from Niger letter that got us into the WMD war in Iraq. Im openly skeptical.
9
Just because you 'offer' to sell it, doesn't mean you actually have it. Just another chapter in the never-ending N. Korean propaganda campaign.
4
I'd be surprised if Trump even knows how to tie his shoelaces, let along deal constructively with this problem.
2
The North Korean atomic program has long been viewed as a possible bluff. Now, because they place a classified ad, we are to believe that it's too late to turn back. In a word, this strikes me as asinine.
1
Does it make you feel better and calm your anxieties to be in denial of NK nuclear capabilities that exist now? They could destroy this country with an EMP blast, and can already reach most of the U.S. with KN-08 and probably KN-14 nuclear missiles.
Look, this ad is clearly some mind games they are playing with us. Lithium 6 has virtually no civilian application, so no one other than someone who wants to build nukes is going to buy it. Even if the N. Koreans have a big surplus of it and wants to sell it (why not keep it anyway), t is unrealistic for them to expect to selling it in China.
1
My suspicion is that North Korea and company saw the deal that was given to Iran that let them out of the geopolitical doghouse and realized that was their ticket back into the world after decades of isolation. They plan to demonstrate nothing will stop North Korea from building a nuke to get everyone to the table and then they'll demand a plan modelled after Iran's. In essence: slow down the nuke building so you don't spook everyone and you can join the international community again. The precedent is out there, they'd be fools not to use it.
I assume everyone next door to Korea would prefer to not to restart the Korean War. So now the million dollar question is if Trump and Tillerson* are willing to play ball.
* Assuming he is still Secretary of State and not Kushner.
I assume everyone next door to Korea would prefer to not to restart the Korean War. So now the million dollar question is if Trump and Tillerson* are willing to play ball.
* Assuming he is still Secretary of State and not Kushner.
1
I was under the impression that the North Koreans have already demonstrated they can build and detonate nuclear weapons so the terms of any agreement might be very different from those with Iran.
Yes, it is worth a war to stop this maniac.
The missiles will easily reach the USA. He will hold the world hostage.
Take him out.
Now.
The missiles will easily reach the USA. He will hold the world hostage.
Take him out.
Now.
4
and how would that happen? their delivery systems are hidden, we don't know exactly where they are, and even if we take out 50% (unlikely from things i've read), they can take out all of Seoul. Period.
i'm not aware of a serious analysis that thinks that a first strike is a good idea. Do you?
i'm not aware of a serious analysis that thinks that a first strike is a good idea. Do you?
3
A first strike that destroys the NK leadership would be the best strategy
2
Are we ramping up the fear level here NYT?
1
We are all feeling very nervous with Trump at the helm. But how much more nervous and scared do you think the citizens of Seoul feel with Trump's itchy trigger finger just looking for a "scrap" with North Korea to divert attention from Russiagate? Fingers crossed.
Seoul is just 35 miles from North Korea. This is no time for itchy twitter fingers in bed. There are 10 million souls in that city and if North Korea feels that Trump is going to attack, Kim Jong-in will launch a first-strike artillery and air campaign against Seoul that will kill millions before Trump is out of his PJs.
Tread carefully, Mr President, this isn't a reality show. If you don't believe me, believe Alec Baldwin, who said after the election, "This is real, yes, it's really happening." SCARY
Seoul is just 35 miles from North Korea. This is no time for itchy twitter fingers in bed. There are 10 million souls in that city and if North Korea feels that Trump is going to attack, Kim Jong-in will launch a first-strike artillery and air campaign against Seoul that will kill millions before Trump is out of his PJs.
Tread carefully, Mr President, this isn't a reality show. If you don't believe me, believe Alec Baldwin, who said after the election, "This is real, yes, it's really happening." SCARY
1
Believe Alec Baldwin? Because he does a good Trump imitation?
1
Anyone with so much as an ounce of foresight could have predicted that if the US pursued these weapons, other nations would inevitably follow suit, making the world a vastly more dangerous place. America in 1945 was in the unique position of orchestrating a global ban on these weapons. Would it have worked? We’ll never know because the US chose instead to demolish two cities with atomic bombs before hiring the depraved maniac Edward Teller to develop a vastly more lethal version—the H bomb.
That is why we are in the mess we are in.
That is why we are in the mess we are in.
3
Who thinks Stalin would not have built an H-Bomb if we didn't? That's astonishing. And why is Teller a "depraved maniac?" Because you disagree with him? That sounds a lot like something Trump would say about someone who disagreed with him. Teller was controversial, egotistical. But depraved? Maniacal? You shouldn't even call deceased people that because you disagree.
1
No, it would never have worked. Russia was not far behind, and they would and will never voluntarily give up these devices.
Dale--a verifiable ban at a time when Russia was behind the US in weapons development would have A) made Russia far safer and B) saved them trillions of dollars in Cold War expenses, which eventually wrecked their country.
You have no grounds for saying they could not have been brought in for effective negotiations. We didn't try, as reason dictated we should have.
You have no grounds for saying they could not have been brought in for effective negotiations. We didn't try, as reason dictated we should have.
love the photo
actually what kim jung kool is saying with his hands spread apart is
"I used to tell WHOPPERS just this Big , but you gotta see the ones i Tell now" !!
actually what kim jung kool is saying with his hands spread apart is
"I used to tell WHOPPERS just this Big , but you gotta see the ones i Tell now" !!
1
America—the nation which has gone around the world destroying country after country, massacring millions of people, including the incineration of two cities with atomic bombs, is lecturing the world on their right to defends themselves from us.
2
Of course your views make sense given the following assumptions:
All viewpoints are equally valid.
Morality is relative.
The North Korean totalitarian dictatorship is just as good and legitimate as a Western liberal democracy.
Communist dictators have the same rights to atom bombs as anyone else.
Once we stop lecturing the world about rights, world peace and prosperity will surely ensue.
All viewpoints are equally valid.
Morality is relative.
The North Korean totalitarian dictatorship is just as good and legitimate as a Western liberal democracy.
Communist dictators have the same rights to atom bombs as anyone else.
Once we stop lecturing the world about rights, world peace and prosperity will surely ensue.
you forget one small detail dear
Hitler was close
very CLOSE!
Hitler was close
very CLOSE!
Jack--not according to their leading nuclear scientist, Werner Heisenberg.
2
I guarantee that Bannon is telling Trumpski that a nuclear bomb on North Korea would give him the win he desperately needs now, after all his screw-ups.
This bomb would show the world that Bannon is serious about his new world order and would wipe the Russia investigation off the front pages. It would put China on notice. And what better country to drop the bomb on? No one cares about North Korea.
We all know this is the way they think. Bannon has a nuclear bomb and he will use it "strategically". He won't be able to resist.
This bomb would show the world that Bannon is serious about his new world order and would wipe the Russia investigation off the front pages. It would put China on notice. And what better country to drop the bomb on? No one cares about North Korea.
We all know this is the way they think. Bannon has a nuclear bomb and he will use it "strategically". He won't be able to resist.
5
Even Bill Clinton tried t fire a few rockets to distract the media from the pickle he was in at the time.
Trump needs to turn on that WH search light and call for the help of batman.
4
The overwhelming villain in all of this was Harry Truman. At the time, the US had a monopoly on these vile weapons and could have organized a global ban (including the US) on their development and stockpiling. Instead, he massacred hundreds of thousands of innocent people in totally unnecessary acts, in the process, jump-starting the global nuclear arms race that imperils the survival of humankind.
1
Not even Truman could have brought that off. Stalin would have had none of it.
1
He also offered a deal in 1952-3 to the Russians to destroy all such weapons. They refused to take him up on it. There are plenty of villains here, Truman is not one of them.
3
David--again, the time for the US to instigate a global treaty banning these weapons was in 1945, when the US possessed the only nuclear bombs in existence. No one knew how many we had and there is at least a decent chance that with the decided upper hand, the US could have initiated talks to convince the world it was in everyone's best interest to stop all development.
To suggest the only country to actually use these weapons, murdering hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians, is innocent as the driven snow is just the sort of monumental hypocrisy America is justifiably famous for.
To suggest the only country to actually use these weapons, murdering hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians, is innocent as the driven snow is just the sort of monumental hypocrisy America is justifiably famous for.
2
I realize in a democracy the opposition is not supposed to be in the business of jailing, persecuting, and killing the other side. But if Trump ends up triggering a nuclear holocaust, I think his electorate ought to be fair game.
3
Americans need to calm down. The 90s are already gone.
North Korea, although not as wealthy as South Korea nowadays, is very far from being one of those capitalist failed states of Subsaharian Africa or Latin America. If it was a failed state, there wouldn't be any need to sanction it economically.
But, even though they do have nuclear capacity strong enough to trespass THAAD (which is only installed because the USA wants its radars to detect Chinese and Russian nuclear sites) and reduce ROK to ashes, it doesn't want to do that, instead they do want reunification. They see their nuclear capacity as a deterrent. Those written threats are only for display - ask any average South Korean, and they'll say to you they always do that, it's all bark and no bite.
North Korea, although not as wealthy as South Korea nowadays, is very far from being one of those capitalist failed states of Subsaharian Africa or Latin America. If it was a failed state, there wouldn't be any need to sanction it economically.
But, even though they do have nuclear capacity strong enough to trespass THAAD (which is only installed because the USA wants its radars to detect Chinese and Russian nuclear sites) and reduce ROK to ashes, it doesn't want to do that, instead they do want reunification. They see their nuclear capacity as a deterrent. Those written threats are only for display - ask any average South Korean, and they'll say to you they always do that, it's all bark and no bite.
This isolated regime has a leader who survives by making wild threats and claims about his military prowess, even as most of the country is starving - there is a terrific book that takes an inside look at this repressive regime - told by North Koreans who were able to get out of the country - and equally sad is how difficult it is for them to assimilate in South Korea when they have freedom - here is a look at the book, called "Nothing To Envy" - https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/13/nothing-to-envy-the-horror-of-life-in-...
1
A terrible time to pick a fight with Russia as the New York Times evidently wants to do.
Just what IS the matter with you guys?
Saudis kill 3000 Americans on 9-11.
North Korea has a flourishing nuclear program.
And you want to pick a fight with Russia which has done us no harm?
Oh, I forgot, they revealed that the DNC tried to cheat Sanders out of the nomination.
That counts for more than N. Korea's weapons? Just what are you guys smoking?
Just what IS the matter with you guys?
Saudis kill 3000 Americans on 9-11.
North Korea has a flourishing nuclear program.
And you want to pick a fight with Russia which has done us no harm?
Oh, I forgot, they revealed that the DNC tried to cheat Sanders out of the nomination.
That counts for more than N. Korea's weapons? Just what are you guys smoking?
2
The people of South Korea and Japan are the vulnerable ones here. How would you feel if a hostile rocket landed 200 miles off the coast? This is serious and dangerous as POTUS has shown no inclination for any smart decisions to solve any problem. Deterrence must be upped for now.
1
Judging by the USA's proclivity to bomb civilians I'd be wary of any American "help" if I lived in South Korea.
The problem with appeasement is that it was tried for 15 years. Didn't work.
The problem with war is that it would be bloody and terrible. Obviously not a good choice.
This is a real dilemma. An impossible choice that neither Clinton, nor Bush, nor Obama figured out successfully.
I'd consider another alternative: openly and flagrantly support a coup.
The problem with war is that it would be bloody and terrible. Obviously not a good choice.
This is a real dilemma. An impossible choice that neither Clinton, nor Bush, nor Obama figured out successfully.
I'd consider another alternative: openly and flagrantly support a coup.
Technology proliferates.
Look at fire. Look at the wheel. Both are over the place, and have been for quite awhile now, but that wasn't always the case. Technology starts out in somebody's hands, and, if it's any good, spreads to just about anyone who wants it.
Same goes for nuclear technology.
The haves strive to keep it from getting to the have-nots.
But it's always just a matter of time.
Somehow we muddle through.
But we might not -- always. What are you going to do?
Look at fire. Look at the wheel. Both are over the place, and have been for quite awhile now, but that wasn't always the case. Technology starts out in somebody's hands, and, if it's any good, spreads to just about anyone who wants it.
Same goes for nuclear technology.
The haves strive to keep it from getting to the have-nots.
But it's always just a matter of time.
Somehow we muddle through.
But we might not -- always. What are you going to do?
If I wanted to fool the US into thinking I was further along with my H bomb than I really was, I'd place an ad offering to sell lithium-6. After all, it's not like I have to go through with the sale.
4
All the military types deserve each other
Is it just me, or is it more than a little alarming that he TImes is completely straight faced about the fact that the ad HAD TO BE REAL rather than a deception put out (presumabiy but not necessarily) by North Korea to rattle the west? Isn’t this quite possibly just another version of Trumpian-style politics, North Korean style?
It feels like Judith Miller is back in full swing at the Times. The article explicitly relies on unnamed “experts” and quotes the opinions of people whose own economic interest would almost certainly be served if the report were true. The fact that this is “reported” right before Trump’s meeting with China couldn’t possibly be intentional— you know to try to gain leverage with China on the whole North Korea thing?
Maybe I just can’t see the forest for the trees. But think about it: For maybe $100 US, the North Korean government (or, more darkly, our own or other “friendly” intelligence services) placed an ad which has seemingly put the US government into a state of alarm. It may lead to war. But for a leader who thinks and acts a lot like Trump, it’s actually not such a crazy hypothesis that the whole thing is a ruse. And if it’s our own people (what conspiracy theorists would call a false flag), well start by looking at whose bread gets buttered if this story is accepted as being true. (Another version of follow the money.)
It feels like Judith Miller is back in full swing at the Times. The article explicitly relies on unnamed “experts” and quotes the opinions of people whose own economic interest would almost certainly be served if the report were true. The fact that this is “reported” right before Trump’s meeting with China couldn’t possibly be intentional— you know to try to gain leverage with China on the whole North Korea thing?
Maybe I just can’t see the forest for the trees. But think about it: For maybe $100 US, the North Korean government (or, more darkly, our own or other “friendly” intelligence services) placed an ad which has seemingly put the US government into a state of alarm. It may lead to war. But for a leader who thinks and acts a lot like Trump, it’s actually not such a crazy hypothesis that the whole thing is a ruse. And if it’s our own people (what conspiracy theorists would call a false flag), well start by looking at whose bread gets buttered if this story is accepted as being true. (Another version of follow the money.)
8
Not-So-Lil' Kim should've had that H-bomb ready last term, when President Obama had a veneer (no more or less) of respect for civilians and international law.
Now Kim can be sure that once he so much as nears our bases in Japan or California with one, the not-my-President will respond with a beach-glassing, street-gassing, ethnic-cleansing, North Korea-stonaging shock-and-awe atrocity that would blush Cheney and Condi.
It'll even destroy some South Korean windows...and houses...and cities...
Now Kim can be sure that once he so much as nears our bases in Japan or California with one, the not-my-President will respond with a beach-glassing, street-gassing, ethnic-cleansing, North Korea-stonaging shock-and-awe atrocity that would blush Cheney and Condi.
It'll even destroy some South Korean windows...and houses...and cities...
2
One country not only invented these diabolical weapons, but used them (twice in 72 hours) against civilian population centers in gratuitous acts of mass murder. Hint: It wasn't North Korea.
4
America's use of the weapons to get Imperial Japan to stop its brutality against huge subjugated Asian populations was hardly gratuitous, so who are you referring to?
It was completely gratuitous, as Truman himself acknowledged in his diaries, prior to use of these weapons. An avalanche of documentary evidence, as well as the statements of Truman's own top military brass as to the unnecessary nature of these acts of barbarity no longer allow for any doubt.
As Brigadier Gen. Carter W. Clarke, the officer in charge of preparing MAGIC intercepted cable summaries in 1945, stated in a 1959 interview, echoing the overwhelming military consensus:
"We brought them [the Japanese] down to an abject surrender through the accelerated sinking of their merchant marine and hunger alone, and when we didn't need to do it, and we knew we didn't need to do it, and they knew that we knew we didn't need to do it, we used them as an experiment for two atomic bombs. "
Any questions?
As Brigadier Gen. Carter W. Clarke, the officer in charge of preparing MAGIC intercepted cable summaries in 1945, stated in a 1959 interview, echoing the overwhelming military consensus:
"We brought them [the Japanese] down to an abject surrender through the accelerated sinking of their merchant marine and hunger alone, and when we didn't need to do it, and we knew we didn't need to do it, and they knew that we knew we didn't need to do it, we used them as an experiment for two atomic bombs. "
Any questions?
2
I never imagined the fate of the world would rest on the diplomatic skills of the Chinese. Hopefully they are well versed with the phrase - walking softly and carry a big stick. Whether North Korea actually tested a hydrogen bomb or not, it's pretty clear that they keep pushing the envelope.
1
"Containment" of NK will work exactly as long as the containment is effective. But at some point NK will possess the means to target the US or SK with a very dangerous nuclear device. Not a firecracker, but one that could potentially level a city. This time is rapidly approaching. When is this to be dealt with? After a thermonuclear warhead hits Tokyo, Seoul, Honolulu, or Seattle? There is no question that toppling the Kim regime will be painful (especially for SK, which will get pounded by NK artillery), but it has to happen, and the sooner the better.
China's fears of a refugee flood or a US-allied state right at its border are justified. Perhaps the best solution would be a joint US-China operation to remove the Kims, secure and dismantle the nuclear weapons program, and have the UN administer the country as a trustee. This will allow for gradual reunification without US troops at China's border, eliminate the potential flood of refugees, slowly raise the standard of living within NK, and gradually build democratic institutions. No doubt, this is a generational project, much more difficult than German reunification. But the world will need to face this threat at some point, and better to do so when NK doesn't have thermonuclear weapons and ICBMs.
China's fears of a refugee flood or a US-allied state right at its border are justified. Perhaps the best solution would be a joint US-China operation to remove the Kims, secure and dismantle the nuclear weapons program, and have the UN administer the country as a trustee. This will allow for gradual reunification without US troops at China's border, eliminate the potential flood of refugees, slowly raise the standard of living within NK, and gradually build democratic institutions. No doubt, this is a generational project, much more difficult than German reunification. But the world will need to face this threat at some point, and better to do so when NK doesn't have thermonuclear weapons and ICBMs.
4
I wonder how North Korea would respond if we flew in some stealth bombers to drop a few tons of leaflets over downtown Pyongyang. No bombs. Just some friendly literature from a world they hear little truth about.
Trump should meet with Kim Jong-un face to face -- and really put his deal-making prowess to work for the world.
2
Trump would break out in hives.
I was surprised when I saw the, "Pure Lithium 6" listing on Craigslist.
3
Well, lithium is also a psycho-active drug, isn't it?
My thoughts on this is that North Korea would not exist and could not survive were it not for the Chinese. It is a crime that the Chinese have facilitated the existence of a criminal regime that basically imprisons its population. The contrast between the lives South Koreans compared to their North Korean countryman say it all. China is clearly using North Korea to make life difficult for the U.S. and hopefully facilitate our withdrawal from the far east. We should not waste our time talking to North Korea but focus on China they are the author and sustainer of the North Korean problem.
China uses North Korea as a physical buffer between it and US controlled South Korea. There is no incentive for China to give up that buffer, and certainly not while the US threatens trade sanctions.... China holds the cards in this game and Trumps public nonsense just handed them another.
The contrast between China and North Korea is dramatic. China, while ruled by a single authoritarian party which retains the name "Communist," has emerged as a major player in the CAPITALIST global economy. North Korea, on the other hand, is best described as a third-generation family-run terror state which has shown no interest in any activity other than acquiring and brandishing weapons of mass destruction.
1
Kim Jong-un is part of the Obama legacy, as the past president did nothing to curb the North Korean’s nuclear ambitions. Thank you.
2
Seriously? The ignorant arrogance that supports the notion that the US can change any countries government to suit their own imagined best interests beggars belief.
1
None of the presidents did.
1
Really? And what would you have done? And don't say "impose sanctions," as unbeknownst to you, that has been done and hasn't worked, given the fact that the North Korean government couldn't care less how many people starve to death there. You guys love to blame Obama for everything that's wrong with the country but have no idea why except that the far right wing media machine tells you what to think - kind of like in North Korea.
2
It's a very dangerous world we live in when North Korea's odd little man with a flamboyant coiffure is facing off against an American President who is himself an odd little man with a flamboyant coiffure underneath which resides a profoundly ignorant and disturbingly unstable Narcissistic little brain.
6
Yet, the supposedly big brains going back as far as President Clinton have yet to even slow N. Korea down. Whenever you lefties come up against someone who is unwilling to be "rational" and talk things over, or to manipulate and stall, your left totally perplexed as to what do. Every president going back to Clinton have tried the negotiating route and it has led N.Korea from having no nuclear weapons to them having nuclear weapons to them now being on the verge of being able to hit North America, negotiating has FAILED. He is not interested in negotiating. So the "odd little man" called the American president might be the only one who has an answer to how to proceed..... fight..... and end it.
So what exactly is your solution pray tell?
1
I hate to agree with the right wing here, but there is no reason in leaving a country like North Korea in possession of workable nuclear technology. This is worse than Iran is. A military strike is called for. We are technically still at war with North Korea. Everything the regime has done can be construed as a violation of the truce that ended the Korean War. I am willing to bet the Chinese will not expend capital, blood and lo mein noodles on propping up the tegime militarily if push comes to shove, and it will be a better world with a different government there.
3
Yup, that's a truly brilliant plan. I wonder why no one has thought of it before now. Sheesh.
Suit up, you can volunteer to fly the first plane in.
The sooner we attack, the better.
Future generations will curse us if we don't.
There is really no other alternative at this point.
Do you honestly want to wait until this lunatic gets missiles capable of
taking out American cities?
Future generations will curse us if we don't.
There is really no other alternative at this point.
Do you honestly want to wait until this lunatic gets missiles capable of
taking out American cities?
2
Now with our nuclear sights securely fixed on North Korea, it's like Iran never happened. What a relief for them that must be.
2
Word on the street is that the North Koreans have mobile nuclear processing equipment inside 18-wheelers. We can't let the smoking gun end up being a mushroom cloud!
4
Right now, the US is far more dangerous to the World than North Korea. You can see the grain of sand in someone else's eye, and not the beam in yours, my friend.
5
Monckton, I think Visitor was referring to the tail-wags-dog stories of the Bush years. Using sarcasm, Visitor refers to the great "mushroom cloud" speech Bush made to whip up support for invading Iraq and the mobile lab nonsense that was repeated ad nauseam.
Aluminium tubes in Jordan! Yellow cake in Africa! Lithium 6 on Craigslist!
Aluminium tubes in Jordan! Yellow cake in Africa! Lithium 6 on Craigslist!
4
What street is that! Now I understand the common joke in Europe, that the US after being late for the last two world wars is going to make absolutely sure it's there on time for the next one!
4
I can't help but wonder if this is just a head fake. Just to make us think he has a H-bomb.
4
Eric
Similar to Israel, the Fabulous Marching Kims of North Korea thrive on the threat of impending military doom.
Like parents who won't vaccinate their own kids, they depend on the good sense and responsibility of everybody else to keep their families safe.
Under these conditions, no provocation is too extreme, no crisis is too dire to keep the ball rolling in the chosen direction.
Sure, North Korea is a real threat and is really dangerous, and no it is not a good idea to assume this all just for show. But it's no cause for panic or for Trumplike spasms of impressive activity. And it is no reason to take our eyes off our many and important domestic issues.
Similar to Israel, the Fabulous Marching Kims of North Korea thrive on the threat of impending military doom.
Like parents who won't vaccinate their own kids, they depend on the good sense and responsibility of everybody else to keep their families safe.
Under these conditions, no provocation is too extreme, no crisis is too dire to keep the ball rolling in the chosen direction.
Sure, North Korea is a real threat and is really dangerous, and no it is not a good idea to assume this all just for show. But it's no cause for panic or for Trumplike spasms of impressive activity. And it is no reason to take our eyes off our many and important domestic issues.
1
As crazy as the leaders of NKorea are you have to admire their total handling of Islamic Terror. They aren't concerned about bans and laptops and underwear. We could certainly learn a thing or two from them.
2
Why can the USA have nuclear weapons and conduct missile tests while North Korea cannot?
I'd love to hear an explanation other than "Kim Jong-Un is crazy and mean!"
I'd love to hear an explanation other than "Kim Jong-Un is crazy and mean!"
3
A good question. The only reasonable solution is worldwide elimination of the weapons. Then everyone is safe and treated equally.
2
> Then everyone is safe and treated equally.
You might want to review the history of the world prior to August 1945.
You might want to review the history of the world prior to August 1945.
I fear we are entering an era where the death tolls will be much higher than in the previous wars. From nuclear proliferation, to drone strikes, to climate change, I think when the bodies are tallied, pre-1945 will seem nostalgic.
“If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all that I am telling you.”
This statement, in and of itself, scares me more than all of the other issues surrounding President Trump and his little minions. I truly shudder to think what his knee jerk responses may be if this North Korea situation doesn't begin to take a calmer and less threatening tone immediately.
3
The only solution to the North Korea situation is joint US-China action, diplomatic at first and joint military action if needed. Of course that would depend on highly competent US officials being involved, i.e. let's just do it and not tell the president.
3
I don't think that's necessarily true. The US could (and probably should) resort to good old fashioned realism through a policy of deterrence.
1
Honestly, I firmly believe the very last option the US should engage in is any kind of military action. No country can ever un-ring that bell once rung. Diplomacy, diplomacy, diplomacy - and then more diplomacy. PERIOD.
Military action to defend - absolutely.
Military action to merely get one's attention - I don't think so. That option rarely ends well.
3
Just when we need scientists and intelligence professionals and informed and cool-headed adults, we have this gang of angry anti-science nationalist billionaires running the country. And they're at war with our own intelligence services too.
10
It appears that the government is trying to find another excuse to start a war. The present administration represented itself as an anti-war, anti-neocon government with an "America First" hyper focus. However, with the exception of Russia, the administration is pointing out the same bogeymen that every other "deep state" administration has put in its crosshairs for war/sanctions i.e. Iran, Cuba, North Korea, etc. (all nations that have not done anything to directly harm the United States-the Iran Hostage crisis is almost 40 years old at this point), all the while naming Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt as close allies.
2
The threat to the US and its allies is real - make no mistake. This is especially true if there is credible evidence of compact nuclear weapons and H bombs. The question is whether we embrace a policy of deterrence or delay.
As much as I bemoan the Bush presidencies, I would rather have a strong leader that backs up his talk with foreign aggressors than an impotent blowhard like Trump.
1
I actually prefer an impotent do nothing like Obama.
2
Visiter a one line Obama comment provides no information, just annoyance. Did you forget your dear leaders in the republican party blocked him on every front. They are the true do nothings.
Paul: Sorry you're annoyed. Just because someone doesn't like Obama doesn't mean they're a Republican. Thanks for playing.
North Korea is afraid that the United States, which has the largest and most aggressive military on the planet is going to attack them. We have thirty thousand troops stationed on their border and run massive war games off of their coast, getting bigger all of the time.
The more aggressive we are toward them, the more resources they put into their nuclear program. We have the ability to vaporize every city on the planet fifty times over. They are trying to achieve the ability to hit one or two of our cities as a deterrent, just as was our policy versus the Soviet Union protecting Europe for decades.
If you want the North Koreans to calm down, start sending them food and stop threatening to bomb them.
Trump is itching to start a war to distract from whatever disasters he has coming down the pike, and global corporate mass media is beating the drums of war, because their shareholders also have lots of stock in arms manufactures. Don't buy it.
North Korea has no economy to support an aggressive military campaign. "Appeasing" North Korea is not the same as appeasing Hitler's Reich. (Appeasing the Republican Party is more along those lines.)
The more aggressive we are toward them, the more resources they put into their nuclear program. We have the ability to vaporize every city on the planet fifty times over. They are trying to achieve the ability to hit one or two of our cities as a deterrent, just as was our policy versus the Soviet Union protecting Europe for decades.
If you want the North Koreans to calm down, start sending them food and stop threatening to bomb them.
Trump is itching to start a war to distract from whatever disasters he has coming down the pike, and global corporate mass media is beating the drums of war, because their shareholders also have lots of stock in arms manufactures. Don't buy it.
North Korea has no economy to support an aggressive military campaign. "Appeasing" North Korea is not the same as appeasing Hitler's Reich. (Appeasing the Republican Party is more along those lines.)
97
I'm confused. We have sent food to them many times for prolonged periods. Its only been, what?, 3 months of bellicose empty threats. The kind of hate and fear propaganda that won our last election is something NK has practiced and perfected for almost 80 years, so unilateral withdrawal is very unlikely to produce a peaceful NK. So, are you saying that appeasement simply hasn't been done right? If so, its a much better idea than anything I've got.
1
The west has been sending food to North Korea for decades, via the World Food Programme. Do a Google search on Word Food Programme North Korea and you will see numerous stories about NK food insecurity and how the west has been feeding North Koreans. Apparently the NK regime prefers to spend its modest resources on building nukes rather than developing the agricultural sector and feeding its people. We will have to wait and see if the Trump administration uses food as a bargaining chip with the NKs.
Just what makes you such an expert on the North Koreans and the intentions or policies of their murderous family dictatorship?
Of course Trump has a plan. It's a tremendous plan.
But it's a secret plan that he will spring on the enemy after his generals come up up with it.
And it may or may not involve blaming Obama, depending on how badly things turn out. This one might need to go all the way to blaming Bill and Hillary.
But it's a secret plan that he will spring on the enemy after his generals come up up with it.
And it may or may not involve blaming Obama, depending on how badly things turn out. This one might need to go all the way to blaming Bill and Hillary.
17
Although I agree that this ad is concerning in a nuclear way, is it possible that it doesn't have immediate H-bomb implications? I.e., the significance of lithium 6 is that, when it absorbs a neutron it produces tritium. In an H-bomb, where the lithium is in the form of lithium deuteride, the tritium fuses with the deuterium and produces most of the bomb's energy.
However, if you put the lithium in a reactor, it again absorbs neutrons and produces tritium (T), but the tritium is separated out and combined with deuterium (D) to make DT gas -- which is used to "boost" the yield and efficiency of fission bombs based on plutonium or uranium.
Neither possibility is good, but it may be a bit hasty to link the ad directly with H-bombs. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.
However, if you put the lithium in a reactor, it again absorbs neutrons and produces tritium (T), but the tritium is separated out and combined with deuterium (D) to make DT gas -- which is used to "boost" the yield and efficiency of fission bombs based on plutonium or uranium.
Neither possibility is good, but it may be a bit hasty to link the ad directly with H-bombs. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.
3
Appeasement pulled right out of the 1930's by both Democrat and Republican Parties has now resulted in two dictator states (one wrapped in God err Allah) with nukes! Both should have had their embryo programs crushed by force after the first sign of non-compliance with promises. Sanctions should never have been tried, only decisive force aa Israelis on Sadam Hussein's program in 1980's.
2
Let us handle this boy with care, he has already done too many crazy things.
and killed too many people. Better to talk with his guardian ( China).
But how is the relation with China?
and killed too many people. Better to talk with his guardian ( China).
But how is the relation with China?
1
The "Lithium Isotope Ice Cream" component to an H impulse device is a small factor compared to building a complete device which starts with the element used as its base (Project Orion). Miniaturizing and tamping for effect is hard to achieve. An active bomb R&D program is very costly. Read "Atomic Obsession" by John Mueller. As a Pacificist following the dictates of Atlanticism in welfare & warfare is a big fail.
U.S. hegemonic CFR petrodollar policy should be abandoned peaceful free, fair trade in the Pacific Rim is the best policy.
U.S. hegemonic CFR petrodollar policy should be abandoned peaceful free, fair trade in the Pacific Rim is the best policy.
N. Korea is a failed state, too broken to ever evolve into something that works for its people. There's so much blame to go around regarding how we ended up here. Regardless, the current situation is what we must deal with.
The World with 20 nuclear-armed nations is far more likely to destroy itself than the World with 3 or 4 nuclear-armed nations. At every step, the world has decided to accede to one more nuclear nation rather than risk a conflict. Continuing down that path is likely to end in disaster for us all. What are the chances that we can avoid a nuclear war with 60 nuclear-armed nations? What are the chances that nations will eschew nuclear weapons when by achieving them you can guarantee another layer of sovereign security?
It's time to challenge the notion that a nuclear break-out is some kind of guarantee. If not N. Korea, then who?
N. Korea is holding the population of Seoul hostage. There's an asymmetry here that can be exploited. South Korea is free to move its population out of artillery range.
Okay, we cannot move the entire population of South Korea out of Artillery range. However, with some multi-national planning, we could achieve some strategic shuffling of the population.
We can move the very young, the very old and the infirm out of range. We could also move several million people, substantially decreasing population density--and thereby lowering casualty rates. It would be a powerful signal to N. Korea. Maybe bringing them to the table.
The World with 20 nuclear-armed nations is far more likely to destroy itself than the World with 3 or 4 nuclear-armed nations. At every step, the world has decided to accede to one more nuclear nation rather than risk a conflict. Continuing down that path is likely to end in disaster for us all. What are the chances that we can avoid a nuclear war with 60 nuclear-armed nations? What are the chances that nations will eschew nuclear weapons when by achieving them you can guarantee another layer of sovereign security?
It's time to challenge the notion that a nuclear break-out is some kind of guarantee. If not N. Korea, then who?
N. Korea is holding the population of Seoul hostage. There's an asymmetry here that can be exploited. South Korea is free to move its population out of artillery range.
Okay, we cannot move the entire population of South Korea out of Artillery range. However, with some multi-national planning, we could achieve some strategic shuffling of the population.
We can move the very young, the very old and the infirm out of range. We could also move several million people, substantially decreasing population density--and thereby lowering casualty rates. It would be a powerful signal to N. Korea. Maybe bringing them to the table.
1
The North Korean leadership is also holding the population of North Korea hostage.
2
There's a fallacy about the effects of thermonuclear weapons that resurfaced in a comment to my comment about the underplayed dangers of fallout in the recent article here on India's shift to considering a preemptive strike on Pakistan in the event of war. Sanjay of Toronto wrote:
"Thermonuclear weapons produce mostly heat and comparatively little fallout - that's why they're called 'thermo-nuclear'."
That's just a very distorted and painfully wrong answer. It was often bandied about during the Cold War, too, and rests on the fact that the basic thermonuclear reaction is fusion, not fission. But that doesn't reflect what actually happens.
Thermonuclear weapons produce fallout in relation to their fission yield, because every fusion reaction requires a fission reaction to ignite it. Yes, this can be made relatively more efficient, but it cannot be eliminated as a major source of fallout. Furthermore, the casings used in the process to contain and channel the reaction into going thermonuclear are often made of a uranium isotope that is transformed so that it is fissionable like U-235, contributing further to the fission yield.
Thermonuclear explosions also create through fusion their own group of isotopes made radioactive. While a different set from the even more noxious fission products in fallout, they also represent a significant danger.
Finally, the fallout issue isn't any one bomb, but the global cumulative fallout threat posed by even a small number in wartime use.
"Thermonuclear weapons produce mostly heat and comparatively little fallout - that's why they're called 'thermo-nuclear'."
That's just a very distorted and painfully wrong answer. It was often bandied about during the Cold War, too, and rests on the fact that the basic thermonuclear reaction is fusion, not fission. But that doesn't reflect what actually happens.
Thermonuclear weapons produce fallout in relation to their fission yield, because every fusion reaction requires a fission reaction to ignite it. Yes, this can be made relatively more efficient, but it cannot be eliminated as a major source of fallout. Furthermore, the casings used in the process to contain and channel the reaction into going thermonuclear are often made of a uranium isotope that is transformed so that it is fissionable like U-235, contributing further to the fission yield.
Thermonuclear explosions also create through fusion their own group of isotopes made radioactive. While a different set from the even more noxious fission products in fallout, they also represent a significant danger.
Finally, the fallout issue isn't any one bomb, but the global cumulative fallout threat posed by even a small number in wartime use.
20
Right. The Castle Bravo test polluted an area 100 miles long by about 50 miles wide that is still uninhabitable today. A similar explosion that almost occurred in Damascus, Arkansas in 1980 would have killed people as far away as Boston.
Basically, any use of these weapons would mark the end of civilization.
Basically, any use of these weapons would mark the end of civilization.
11
Kind a like John Belushi and that World War II movie showing him getting, what seem to be friendly fire bullets from machine guns ricocheting off him like light hail stones… owwww, ouch ouch ouch ouch eeee, ouch!
Hey, Not Trusted -- get a few facts.
read here: http://www.pnas.org/content/113/25/6833.full
Bikini is still not safe, but surrounding atolls are, and are inhabited. The contamination on Bikini was not just due to Castle Bravo, though it was very big and very dirty.
The Titan Missile disaster you refer to did not explode its warhead, and the salient point is that its warhead was
1. an implosion design -- that can only explode with high yield if the implosion is symmetric, meaning triggered by the high-speed electrical system. (the battery for which is installed during arming)
2. while details remain classified, it was a tritium-boosted design, and both tritium and initiator are installed as part of the pre-launch arming process. It would have been unarmed (particularly as maintenance was going on)
There's no way this weapon could have achieved a high yield in this configuration, indeed probably not a "dull thud." And indeed, IT DIDN'T.
And even if it had, while it would have been terrible, it certainly would not have 'killed people as far away as Boston."
read here: http://www.pnas.org/content/113/25/6833.full
Bikini is still not safe, but surrounding atolls are, and are inhabited. The contamination on Bikini was not just due to Castle Bravo, though it was very big and very dirty.
The Titan Missile disaster you refer to did not explode its warhead, and the salient point is that its warhead was
1. an implosion design -- that can only explode with high yield if the implosion is symmetric, meaning triggered by the high-speed electrical system. (the battery for which is installed during arming)
2. while details remain classified, it was a tritium-boosted design, and both tritium and initiator are installed as part of the pre-launch arming process. It would have been unarmed (particularly as maintenance was going on)
There's no way this weapon could have achieved a high yield in this configuration, indeed probably not a "dull thud." And indeed, IT DIDN'T.
And even if it had, while it would have been terrible, it certainly would not have 'killed people as far away as Boston."
re “If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all that I am telling you.”
Yeah sure ... hardly credible. Recall that this is the same guy who also told us "Obamacare is an utter disaster folks. I will repeal it entirely and replace it with something much much better, believe me ... and very quickly".
Yeah sure ... hardly credible. Recall that this is the same guy who also told us "Obamacare is an utter disaster folks. I will repeal it entirely and replace it with something much much better, believe me ... and very quickly".
7
If Mr. Bad Haircut should ever be so bold as to actually launch against southern California, he should realize that NK would then disappear about an hour later. The question is, does he realize this? That is the danger.
1
You do realize that nuking North Korea would entail bathing our allies in nuclear fallout, right?
I don't think Japan would forgive us for radiating their country a third time.
I don't think Japan would forgive us for radiating their country a third time.
3
Visitor -- I don't think much of anybody else's opinion will matter much if North Korea uses a nuclear weapon, even if it is against South Korea or Japan. If it is against the US ... North Korea will surely be obliterated.
The problem here is that the North Korean dictatorship practices being dangerously crazy. Are they crazy enough to destroy their nation and kill enormous numbers of their people? Maybe?
The problem here is that the North Korean dictatorship practices being dangerously crazy. Are they crazy enough to destroy their nation and kill enormous numbers of their people? Maybe?
Lee: No, they're not suicidal. What does "dangerously crazy" even mean? They talk a lot but they haven't attacked anyone since the Korean War. Wish I could say the same for the USA.
Trump and his administration of bumblers make the North Korean circus look preferable. North Korea threatens the world in order to keep its people in awe. Trump cannot solve the North Korean problem. It is not Trump's problem to solve. There would be no problem if Trump would simply pull our troops from South Korea and let the regional powers deal with North Korea. China does not want a flood of refugees. It will deal with North Korea as necessary.
3
Yes, I agree. Except there is the possibility of a S. Korea invasion. But if you think about it, that could actually be a good thing in the long run. It might be a situation like the return of Hong Kong to China, except the S. Koreans would have much more cultural influence on the North, and hopefully stabilize it.
Reading the article and all the comments makes it clear that there is no satisfactory action that we could take with respect to containing the North Korea nuclear program. Furthermore, this whole thing about the ridiculous online ad for bomb material leads to suspicions that somebody is trying to create a crisis. My biggest worry is about a manufactured situation that leads to justification for some kind of military action (sound familiar?). Wouldn't a new war serve so many purposes for the current administration and its backers?
12
117 comments and most of them either explicitly or tacitly back a military strike. So the Vox populi and the street are clamoring for a nuclear attack on North Korea. I would say stand down; work with patience and courage all the levers of influence. If anyone in the government or military gets wind of a Trump planned strike they need to come out in public to stop it.
5
Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump, the Beevis and Butthead boys. Add up both their IQs and the average would come out somewhere in the vicinity of 10 to 15 points below the collective IQs of a box of rocks.
Both these fools, albeit, the fodder for derision and ridicule, and jokes, are probably the two most dangerous and unstable leaders in the world.
Things do not bode well for the world from other one of these walking time bombs. Get them together, put on the straight jackets, lock them up, and throw away the keys.
Both these fools, albeit, the fodder for derision and ridicule, and jokes, are probably the two most dangerous and unstable leaders in the world.
Things do not bode well for the world from other one of these walking time bombs. Get them together, put on the straight jackets, lock them up, and throw away the keys.
8
How is "precious" Lithium 6 made, and how/why can N Korea promise delivery every 6 months? If they are going to use it, does it not stand to reason they would not be selling it? Is it a by-product of refinement of uranium/plutonium, and that is why this ad shows the advancement of their arms program?
And, last but not least, if the address is false and no one answers the phone, does it not seem like maybe this is a phony ad? And where was this ad published, and why no snapshot of it?
This article smells like a lot of boogedy-woogedy.
And, last but not least, if the address is false and no one answers the phone, does it not seem like maybe this is a phony ad? And where was this ad published, and why no snapshot of it?
This article smells like a lot of boogedy-woogedy.
11
This article is painfully short on technical detail, but it can easily be gleaned from Wikipedia or many other sites. Lithium-6 is a central component of "true" hydrogen bombs, which rely on lithium-6 deuteride fuel (a chemical compound of lithium-6 and deuterium). When bombarded with neutrons during the bomb's explosion, lithium-6 fissions into tritium and an alpha particle, releasing some energy in the process. The important part is that the tritium so produced can then fuse with the deuterium (lithium deuteride fuel, remember), a reaction that releases a tremendous amount of energy and extremely high-energy neutrons. The lithium-6 is essential to breed the tritium in the exploding bomb, which is necessary because tritium itself is difficult to produce in large quantities and has a half-life of only 12 years, so its decay will quickly render any bomb containing it a dud.
Lithium-6 is refined from natural lithium, which is 92.5% lithium-7 and 7.5% lithium-6. The process is similar to uranium enrichment, but far easier. My impression is that even though lithium-6 production requires less technical expertise than uranium enrichment (which we know NK is already proficient at), it has raised eyebrows because the material has no application except in high-yield "true" hydrogen bombs.
I hope that compensates for some of the scientific background lacking in the article.
Lithium-6 is refined from natural lithium, which is 92.5% lithium-7 and 7.5% lithium-6. The process is similar to uranium enrichment, but far easier. My impression is that even though lithium-6 production requires less technical expertise than uranium enrichment (which we know NK is already proficient at), it has raised eyebrows because the material has no application except in high-yield "true" hydrogen bombs.
I hope that compensates for some of the scientific background lacking in the article.
1
Of course, that explanation does not answer why NK has it is excess, or why they're selling it, or why this shows their "nuclear strength".
The problem is that the Lithium 6 connection was just clickbait. The lack of technical details merely highlights the fact that there is little to justify this article.
Let's see what it has provided to the reading public:
- North Korea is a problem state.
- Someone may or may not have posted an ad at some unknown internet site.
- NK's nuclear program is further along than it was 10 years ago.
- China's president lives 2.5 miles from the North Korean embassy.
This should have been filler a talking head blathers out on a 24hr news network, not printed in the NYT.
The problem is that the Lithium 6 connection was just clickbait. The lack of technical details merely highlights the fact that there is little to justify this article.
Let's see what it has provided to the reading public:
- North Korea is a problem state.
- Someone may or may not have posted an ad at some unknown internet site.
- NK's nuclear program is further along than it was 10 years ago.
- China's president lives 2.5 miles from the North Korean embassy.
This should have been filler a talking head blathers out on a 24hr news network, not printed in the NYT.
1
It's possible this was a rogue NK diplomat who got his hands on the Lithium-6 and wanted to make some cash on the side, possibly as escape money to defect, and was taken out by the regime, hence the disconnect of the contact info.
Administrations of the past 25 years basically allowed North Korea to get where they are with nuclear weapons. South Korea with their soon to be new government will cut a deal with Kim in the north to avoid any conflict. The US would be wise to let the Koreas work out their problems without US troops on Korean soil. This is what the north wants and surprisingly many in the south desire.
8
I'm 70 so when I was in grade school we were being taught to hide under our desks if there was a nuclear attack. I thought we were finished with the nuclear scare, but it's back again with a crazier leader in charge of both the involved countries.
13
Me too. We were told to "crouch under your desk and k.y.a. goodbye."
North Korea's nuclear strength is much less than that of Israel, India and Pakistan. And North Korea has much less enriched weapon's grade nuclear material than Japan. North Korea's nuclear strength is much greater than Iran's. North Korea did not invent nuclear weapons and has never used them. The two Korea's never ended their war with a peace treaty between them nor their backers China and America.
5
In 2002 this was clearly on the way. I recall writing to the NYTimes that while the President might play in the sand with the foolish oil state clowns(who turned out to be faking their threat all along) in Iraq, that the real danger lay in North Korea.
As a result of not dealing with this in the early part of the century, the DPRK is now so much further along the road to both missiles and bombs than in 2002.
China will not see this as their problem because, basically, North Koera is a cancerous tumor on their flesh and the cancer cannot daer kill its host. Americans have also forgotten that the "Korean War" was not the immense and long bloody stalemate it became until after the CHinese attacked in force because of threats by the US to push the Commies into the Yalu. After that we weer in untenable quagmire land, for a long time.
Trump doesn't recall it and "Bush-Baby" threats to undo the North alone without Chinese help do nothing but show his ignorance and make the CHinese wonder at how stupid we Americans really are.
And China would probably be happy to trade murder of fat-boy for possession of entire South CHina Sea. Japan, ThaIland, Vietnam, Russia, India and the Philippines and all other users of the area, might not agree.
If a Korean bomb comes it will not be on a missile-it will be in a trawler, a truck or a minisub released from a freighter.
Must we really relearn these lessons every 20 years. . .
As a result of not dealing with this in the early part of the century, the DPRK is now so much further along the road to both missiles and bombs than in 2002.
China will not see this as their problem because, basically, North Koera is a cancerous tumor on their flesh and the cancer cannot daer kill its host. Americans have also forgotten that the "Korean War" was not the immense and long bloody stalemate it became until after the CHinese attacked in force because of threats by the US to push the Commies into the Yalu. After that we weer in untenable quagmire land, for a long time.
Trump doesn't recall it and "Bush-Baby" threats to undo the North alone without Chinese help do nothing but show his ignorance and make the CHinese wonder at how stupid we Americans really are.
And China would probably be happy to trade murder of fat-boy for possession of entire South CHina Sea. Japan, ThaIland, Vietnam, Russia, India and the Philippines and all other users of the area, might not agree.
If a Korean bomb comes it will not be on a missile-it will be in a trawler, a truck or a minisub released from a freighter.
Must we really relearn these lessons every 20 years. . .
7
Must we? I see you didn't learn the lessons of the second Iraq War.
Thanks to President Clinton North Korea and its maniacal dictator now have nuclear weapons. Clinton provided the resources for Kim Jong-un and his equally despotic father to accumulate the material and knowledge required to produce nuclear weapons. Clinton trusted this dysfunctional regime to keep it word by treaty, just as Obama has trusted Iran to keep its word by treaty not to develop nuclear weapons. Obama will be proven in time to be even more foolish and naive than Clinton. Democrats always think reason and trust will convince rogue nations to keep their treaty promises. And they are always wrong in the long run.
5
if I remember correctly these weapons were also being developed during the Bush administration. He too, was powerless to stop Kim. American weakness seems inherent to both parties.
1
So, let's enlist your children and grandchildren, and restart the Korean War. What alternative do you suggest? It's always easy to whine and complain, but what realistic solution do you propose? Otherwise, you look like a fool.
2
Nice preemptive blaming of Bill and Barack. You seem to be aware of Donald's long-term plan, which will eventually point some fingers at Hillary and the entire Democratic party as well.
3
A supply of Lithium 6 is necessary but not sufficient to make a thermonuclear device. A miniaturized primary is needed, and then the whole device itself needs to be miniaturized. It took the US many years even past Castle Bravo to do this. The point here is that there is time, but not much of it. The Trump administration should have a very well defined and short timeline to bring the North's program under control through diplomacy. If that fails, there is one option left. Yes, it carries significant risk, but far less risk than a thermonuclear device atop an ICBM aimed at our west coast. Our history with North Korea makes clear that waiting does not reward.
3
Hey, guess what? Chances are good that NK already has a miniaturized device for their operational KN-08/KN-14 missiles. Just because they haven't been tested yet doesn't mean that they don't work. Based on my research, I'd say NK has a better than 50% chance of hitting the U.S. mainland. And if not with a nuke, there are many other WMD he can use. If he really wanted to, he could simply have an operative detonate a nuke on the ground in a U.S. city. The opportunities for him to destroy our country, and the world, are endless if he wanted to. BTW, NK has plague and smallpox.
trump will solve the North Korean problem the same way he solved health insurance - another failure awaits.
21
Maybe he will be as successful as Clinton, Bush, and Obama. If they had stood up to the NKs were would not be facing the prospect of nuclear confrontation. It is not a missile attack that worries me the most. It is a submarine on a one way mission to the West Coast-w/o most of the crew knowing why. Then again California wants to be on its own. . . It will not affect AMERICAN taxpayers- only the Hollywood elites.
1
Paul, I have a news flash for you - these weapons have been being developed , along with missiles, over the past 3 administrations (not counting this one which, no doubt, will continue the tradition).
1
Even assuming you are correct, which I seriously doubt, it doesn't matter who created the problem in the past. What does matter is who will enjoin the NK from building nuclear weapons now. It won't be trump. He has neither the intelligence or the acumen for it. He'll bully, but he will backdown. Or worse, he will start WWIII. BTW, get over the Clinton thing. It's been 16 years.
3
Is this another "world police" moment? We do not control the rest of the world. I think one of the reasons this guy keeps poking us in the chest is because we react to it. I don't think we should just let a maniac try and make thermo nuclear weapons but I don't think this is our problem either. We are a part of NATO and NATO should address this issue. If Nato declares that this guy is a problem then we can vote on sanctions with the rest of the countries but that's as far as we should be involved with it.
25
" I don't think this is our problem" until a nuke hits Concord, CA?
6
This is not about being a "world policeman." It is about nuclear blackmail at best. At worst, the NKs lose and have a few million less mouths to feed. A win-win for them. Of course, I remember The Mouse That Roared. The Duchy of Grand Fenwick wanted to lose to obtain US foreign aid!
4
Robert: The NA in NATO stands for North Atlantic. North Korea has nothing to do with that organization, being on the North Pacific.
More baloney from Trump who has not idea how to deal with N. Korea or any other country. Sabres rattling. All he knows how to do is lye and make money.
9
but is he not rattling his sabres as effectively as previous administrations, at least when it comes to N. Korea?
Yes, but why does the NY Times and other global corporate mass media help?
Why did the NY Times repeat all of the Bush administration's lies about Iraq on the front page, even while all the evidence that it was lies was being covered inside the International Section, which few Americans read?
Why did the NY Times repeat all of the Bush administration's lies about Iraq on the front page, even while all the evidence that it was lies was being covered inside the International Section, which few Americans read?
1
Qaddafi gave up work on nuclear weapons in an attempt to get along with the West. Hillary Clinton was then able to persuade President Obama to impose a “No Fly Zone” over Libya to depose Qaddafi.
The lesson is clear: Give up your nuclear weapons program and you’ll be toppled and murdered.
The lesson is clear: Give up your nuclear weapons program and you’ll be toppled and murdered.
13
Yay. Someone that sees through the propaganda.
This must be a first, being trolled by a narcissistic dictator other than Donald Trump
3
How surreal is this first photo? Where in North America could there be a wide street scene, lined with hi rises in which there is one lone pedestrian & no vehicles of any description? 3 uniformed officials (2 apparently past retirement age) scribble tirelessly at their notebooks while a round-faced man with a severely squared off haircut & triangular body - down to his late '60's draped "floods" - enthuses to himself, arms outstretched for dramatic effect. This appears post-apocalyptic, sterile & cold. Where is everybody? Where are the animals? Plants? Life?
26
Well, it looks like the stretch of I85 here in Atlanta since the fire last week.. Folks would be in hard hats and wearing visibility vests, but either way a big stretch of empty concrete.
Not that I disagree with your point.
Not that I disagree with your point.
Why doesn't Trump send Princess Ivanka over to negotiate with North Korea. She can take energy expert Rick Perry with her. After all, Jared is busy this week in Iraq.
104
none of these can be less effective than the emissaries of previous administrations to North Korea. That is a fact.
Dennis Rodman could handle the introductions.
1
"Why doesn't Trump send Princess Ivanka over to negotiate with North Korea. She can take energy expert Rick Perry with her. "
North Korea would block that. Although they like princes and princesses there they would suspect Perry is coming to close their Department of Energy (and with it their nuclear program).
North Korea would block that. Although they like princes and princesses there they would suspect Perry is coming to close their Department of Energy (and with it their nuclear program).
While many of us in the free world are mightily embarrassed by the obvious shortcomings of the current president of the United States, my son who lives in Japan tells me that no such judgement is being passed about Trump in that part of the world. Inured perhaps by their experience with others of his ilk, they are wary of his threats, and not at all sure he won't make good on them. He is not taken for the fool most of us over here would have him be.
For instance, Abe who admires Trump's heavy handed nationalistic policies, is welcoming his stance against China, being on the front lines of its territorial expansion and the target of North Korea's missile tests, all of which, were expanding unabated during the previous administration.
It's a frightening situation with no obvious solution in sight. Perhaps Trump can be impeached. Then what? I have some hope that cooler heads may bring Pence to heel, but I'm not counting on it. Most likely he will spend his time enforcing Conservative orthodoxy on the nation, give short shrift to international affairs, in the hopes someone else will solve those problems.
Not going to happen.
For instance, Abe who admires Trump's heavy handed nationalistic policies, is welcoming his stance against China, being on the front lines of its territorial expansion and the target of North Korea's missile tests, all of which, were expanding unabated during the previous administration.
It's a frightening situation with no obvious solution in sight. Perhaps Trump can be impeached. Then what? I have some hope that cooler heads may bring Pence to heel, but I'm not counting on it. Most likely he will spend his time enforcing Conservative orthodoxy on the nation, give short shrift to international affairs, in the hopes someone else will solve those problems.
Not going to happen.
8
In the Netflix series House of Cards, Frank Underwood, the sociopath President of The United States, who is about to be impeached for murder, starts a war with Russia to distract and derail the impeachment. Is President Trump itching for war with North Korea to distract from the multiple investigations of a stolen election and foreign corruption? Is truth stranger than fiction?
44
Truth is often stranger than fiction. Your scenario sounds like Bannon's dream.
9
Even if Kim went nuclear, I believe that he is too Narcissistically enamored with himself and with his God-like power and inordinate control over the collective minds of his people to risk it all and commit suicide which would surely be the result of bombing us or anyone else or, in other words do any more than rattle his cage or beat his chest like a an insecure schoolyard bully.
12
bkw
Because Kim is "too Narcissistically enamored with himself and with his God-like power and inordinate control over the collective minds of his people" he is more likely than anyone else to resort to nukes if pushed far enough.
Not a reason to just sit and pray, but I wish we had an actually intelligent being in the White House. Referring, of course, to the whole team.
Because Kim is "too Narcissistically enamored with himself and with his God-like power and inordinate control over the collective minds of his people" he is more likely than anyone else to resort to nukes if pushed far enough.
Not a reason to just sit and pray, but I wish we had an actually intelligent being in the White House. Referring, of course, to the whole team.
1
The Trump presidency confronts a list of national and global dangers that President Obama undoubtedly warned of when he took office. Some are moving in relatively slow motion like climate change while others are flash points like North Korea.
We now have a president who lies, a president who is at war with the nation's intelligence gathering apparatus and a president who has surrounded himself with people lacking experience in the areas under their control.
What's to worry about?
We now have a president who lies, a president who is at war with the nation's intelligence gathering apparatus and a president who has surrounded himself with people lacking experience in the areas under their control.
What's to worry about?
42
Have the Chinese Assassinate Kim, in exchange for the South China Sea...this is the only solution that avoids nuclear conflict that will spill over into possible world war.
16
Ugly, brutal but quite practical- and the SE Asian nations will have to acquiesce. And it's simple enough that Trump can handle it. Security can only be bargained with security, not with trade. The US can also trade THAD and the massive military exercises, perhaps over time as the country is stabilized and modernized through a gradual opening, SEZs (Chinese style special economic zones). The West can open markets and the Chinese companies will profit too.
This is an excellent idea - I was thinking the same thing myself yesterday. It would remove both sources of tension. China could insert a N. Korean general that is more pliable and is willing to work with others, in return for those islands they covet.
From what I've read, Trump knows how to generate cash flow while creating debts that others pay while he takes the R-E tax credits for their losses.
Just a further refinement on what large banks were doing decades ago when they wrote huge loans, took a percentage for writing the loan, then left the taxpayers with the bill for those failed loans.
All it really requires is insensitivity to responsibility or to fellow human beings.
It's a very effective way to destroy a country if you are so inclined, unless you are clueless and simply submitting to the enticements of someone else who is trying to do that.
Just a further refinement on what large banks were doing decades ago when they wrote huge loans, took a percentage for writing the loan, then left the taxpayers with the bill for those failed loans.
All it really requires is insensitivity to responsibility or to fellow human beings.
It's a very effective way to destroy a country if you are so inclined, unless you are clueless and simply submitting to the enticements of someone else who is trying to do that.
2
This is a problem we can lay at the feet of the last three Presidents. While they were obsessing over 6th century camel herders, the North Koreans were developing something truly dangerous and we ignored it.
Note to Trump: If you decide to 'take care of North Korea' you are writing off Seoul (that is the capital of South Korea), with an estimated population of 25.6 million, it is just 35 miles from the DMZ. North Korea has more than enough army troops at the border to punch through and destroy Seoul, no matter what the overall result will be. Are you willing to pay that price?
Note to Trump: If you decide to 'take care of North Korea' you are writing off Seoul (that is the capital of South Korea), with an estimated population of 25.6 million, it is just 35 miles from the DMZ. North Korea has more than enough army troops at the border to punch through and destroy Seoul, no matter what the overall result will be. Are you willing to pay that price?
2
Trump has never before been unwilling to sacrifice others for his own economic good. So, yeah, I would say that he is willing to pay that price.
3
They also have enough artillery to obliterate the city, with conventional explosives, from across the border.
1
A military option is out as long as China backs North Korea. No way, no how. One possible scenario would be to offer China Taiwan in return for abandoning their support of North Korea. Not pretty, but let's face it, it's the only way of getting China out of the way to go after North Korea.
2
even without Chinese support the fool kim can still attack S. Korea with artillery, rockets and bio-weopans and gas killing hundreds of thousands.
"Experts say the lithium ad — with its implication that the North is happy to sell an excess supply of the precious material — suggests that it is far too late to prevent the nation from becoming an advanced nuclear power."
This is sloppy thinking. An ad does not make anyone an advanced nuclear power. The ad is an announcement that North Korea is using Chinese territory for exporting a key component for manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. That, in turn, is supposed to provide a justification for America to blockade the Chinese port.
So what we have here is the emperor-god of North Korea attempting to provoke a conflict between China and the USA on the eve of Mr. Xi's conversations with Mr. Trump. He is afraid they will be friendly and get down to the serious business of putting him out of business.
When North Korea exports contraband, it conceals its activities because a blockade could easily intercept the material on the open seas.
This is sloppy thinking. An ad does not make anyone an advanced nuclear power. The ad is an announcement that North Korea is using Chinese territory for exporting a key component for manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. That, in turn, is supposed to provide a justification for America to blockade the Chinese port.
So what we have here is the emperor-god of North Korea attempting to provoke a conflict between China and the USA on the eve of Mr. Xi's conversations with Mr. Trump. He is afraid they will be friendly and get down to the serious business of putting him out of business.
When North Korea exports contraband, it conceals its activities because a blockade could easily intercept the material on the open seas.
6
Yes, you are right, the ad is certain to be a ruse. Surprised the Times bought into it. It is unclear, however, who actually placed the ad, and what they hoped to accomplish with it.
2
Ah, an intelligent interpretation of the political moment. Sanity is a relief.
Odd. If you run a search on Saddam Hussein and lithium-6, up pops this article from 1991.
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/15/world/un-says-iraq-was-moving-toward-m...
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/15/world/un-says-iraq-was-moving-toward-m...
While pacifying a petulant child might seem the path of least resistance what happens when the become oversized adults?
2
Given North Korea's well known expertise in deep tunneling into hard rock and their extensive mountain ranges a nuclear first strike would be required to have a chance to hit most of their missiles and nuclear stockpile. A nuclear first strike would also be necessary to have a chance of killing their extensive biological stockpile, in particular weaponized smallpox that could spread world-wide and kill off most of humanity by a rapidly spreading epidemic.Therefore solving the problem by unilateral action would mean a massive several hundred warhead surprise attack on North Korea. Would the Chinese sit still and not react to the destruction of their ally on their border?
What would be our position in the world the day after we plunge the world into a devastating nuclear scenario with radioactive clouds spreading over South Korea and Japan and China?
Maybe China and Russia would sit still. Or maybe we would see WW III start that day.
What would be our position in the world the day after we plunge the world into a devastating nuclear scenario with radioactive clouds spreading over South Korea and Japan and China?
Maybe China and Russia would sit still. Or maybe we would see WW III start that day.
7
Difficult to see how deterrence can work on a country as abjectly hopeless as North Korea. They seem the very definition of the phrase 'nothing to lose.'
12
Ironically, this sounds like a stunt Trump would pull.
9
I see two scenarios. Once the North Korean Cabble Patch Doll, Kim, has obtained the Bomb that he threatens America with; he will do one of two things.
Either he will black mail us very hard to get Food, Money and ALL Restrictions and Embargoes removed OR he will go for it (hard as it seems to fathom) and attack South Korea (even with a Nuke. You don't really know how crazy this Kim Puppy is. Do you?) and threaten us.
So, it's time. Either destroy his capability while you can without serious blow back or accept him as a Nuclear Power and pray that he is not cmpletley crazy. I, myself, would go for the first option.
Either he will black mail us very hard to get Food, Money and ALL Restrictions and Embargoes removed OR he will go for it (hard as it seems to fathom) and attack South Korea (even with a Nuke. You don't really know how crazy this Kim Puppy is. Do you?) and threaten us.
So, it's time. Either destroy his capability while you can without serious blow back or accept him as a Nuclear Power and pray that he is not cmpletley crazy. I, myself, would go for the first option.
4
How do you attack North Korea without starting a war with China? People that want to start a war next to China are crazy.
3
The idea that China will automatically defend North Korea's nuclear program is the issue in question here -- and they can simply be forced to make a public statement one way or the other.
This is different from China's determination to keep North Korea as a buffer state.
This is different from China's determination to keep North Korea as a buffer state.
Trump says he will take care of this if China won't. I feel very reassured.
10
As long as the Fat Boy is in power, nothing meaningful can take place regarding this issue. Kim has caused enough pain and suffering, take him out, and I don't say that lightly. South Korea has it right, their team is standing by to cut the head off of the snake. Power is so centralized there, it would be a crippling blow.
4
there would probably be enough of his cronies left to launch a full scale artillery and missle (and probably vx gas) attack on the south. hundreds of thousands if not millions would die. Plus many in the US will die being trampled to death while fleeing to Canada to avoid military service.
There is always another strongman to take the last one's place.
we would have an epidemic of bone spurs
1
For those of us with family members in the military, the thought of the US dropping bombs on North Korea is disturbing. It is easy to be tough when your own butt is safe and sound in an office in Washington DC. It's a different story when you are sitting in a foxhole in South Korea. Where are our diplomats? Are we all going to sit back and watch Trump show the world how tough he is? God help us.
57
Nobody forced your family members to join the military jobs program
1
The reality is that any successful attempt that destabilizes Kim's government puts him in a position where he has nothing to lose. He could easily launch an attack to try to rally the DKRP behind him. And there is no military way to prevent this. The locations of most military targets are unknown. You cannot attack things without first knowing where they are. Any escalation would cause the ROK to simply cease to exist. This is not a time for clumsy ham-handed attempts at either "jaw jaw" or "talk talk."
5
It has been and will continue to be a classic “Catch 22”. There are no “good” solutions, only bad ones. North Korea is a remnant of the Cold War and has gone too far, too long with the Kim Dynasty to charge. They have ruled for three generations (since 1945) and China has fostered and protected them in the name of National Security against the "Paper Tiger" (United States).
I was 10 years old in 1953 when the Korean War started. It’s just another “Never Ending Story”.
I was 10 years old in 1953 when the Korean War started. It’s just another “Never Ending Story”.
3
"If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all that I am telling you.” More bluster from Trump, but in doing so, he broke his rule of not showing his hand. Why would China do anything meaningful to address North Korea? China can benefit politically simply by watching Trump take the US into another military quagmire.
5
A war will be started to derail the investigations.
Think of the money that will make for defense contractors
Seoul vaporized or pummeled to dust conventionally.
35 million dead?
Numbers that small only if Japan and China are not attacked.
Think of the money that will make for defense contractors
Seoul vaporized or pummeled to dust conventionally.
35 million dead?
Numbers that small only if Japan and China are not attacked.
5
This is turning out rather well. Two unstable narcissists, each with a nuclear suitcase, each obsessed with personal triumph everyone else and world be damned. It would be a blessing if China came to the aid of peace. Even better is S. Korea and Japan weighed in on this. The as yet to be discussed existential problem with N. Korea is that as the bloodhounds sniffing out Trump's Russian affiliations close in, he will get trigger happy, using N. Korea as the ultimate distraction. If that is left to happen, Trump will make the USA into a Great Smoking Mess.
12
Sad reality is that there are two lunatic (Trump and Kim) who have the keys to the nuclear bomb and both of the have no idea what kind of damage they could do.
This is "Monkey See - Monkey Do".
This is "Monkey See - Monkey Do".
11
"The United States and China, they argue, should abandon the idea of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and turn to old-fashioned deterrence."
Deterrence only works if both sides care about their people. The North Koreans have yet to demonstrate any concern for their people whatsoever.
Deterrence only works if both sides care about their people. The North Koreans have yet to demonstrate any concern for their people whatsoever.
9
Unfortunately, neither has Trump.
Deterrence, while not perfect, was an effective policy with the Soviet Union. Mutually assured destruction kept itchy fingers at bay. In the case of North Korea, if its leaders decide to pop off a missile aimed at the U.S. or an American ally, chances are it will be intercepted the destroyed. One response might be to launch a few American nuclear bombs leaving North Korea a smoking hole. We may question the morality of such a decision, but such a military response would be a proper one given the intention of North Korea's stated goals.
They know we will never use nuclear weapons, even in retaliation.
2
That is simply not true.
Do they still work?
I think about Kim and I wonder if Trump in some ways covets Kim's absolute power. There are no independent branches of government to challenge the executive, and any semblance of left or right-wing resistance is dealt with using execution as the solution. Want to know how Trump would run the country in (to his mind) a perfect world? Look to North Korea, where false news is the only news in town, and every gain is due to Kim, and failures are due to disloyal, incompetent and not-good-looking others. I bet Kim plays a lot of golf, too.
20
Asking one dictator to reign in another strikes me as a very dubious foreign policy. The reality is that dictators represent about 1/3 of all nations, yet are involved in 100% of global conflicts. We clearly need less dictators and a foreign policy that reflects that objective. This specifically...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFNl4yDZNQM
The United Nations has failed to move us towards world peace. It's time to reconsider how we conduct our foreign policy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFNl4yDZNQM
The United Nations has failed to move us towards world peace. It's time to reconsider how we conduct our foreign policy.
1
Right now, I'm more concerned with a guy who wants to be president for life, here.
2
What a combustible situation: a young, volatile and bellicose leader with something to prove and an old, volatile, and bellicose leader with something to prove.
This cannot possibly end well. It's amazing the cooler heads in ether country have zero influence on the leaders in question.
This cannot possibly end well. It's amazing the cooler heads in ether country have zero influence on the leaders in question.
67
Everyone in this country has influence on the leaders in question. They don't get to vote. They don't get to complain about their leaders unless they want to die.
1
The difference is we voted our leader in, while they have no say in who their leader is. I think we are the stupid ones.
7
Donald Trump will now discover that foreign policy is so hard..
26
Because "[n]obody knew that [foreign policy] could be so complicated."
9
"...fearing the repercussions if the regime were to collapse"
That's the part I don't get. Is the Kim regime really so essential to the day-to-day operation of N Korea? No one else is capable of running the place less badly?
That's the part I don't get. Is the Kim regime really so essential to the day-to-day operation of N Korea? No one else is capable of running the place less badly?
9
mr bluster as usual showing his lack of grip
5
Any threat out of N Korea has little to do with nuclear weapons, and is in fact all about it's massive volume of artillery facing Seoul S Korea. Yak about nuclear weapons is a canard and a distraction from that real threat. Any use of a nuclear weapon by N Korea would end it's existence within a half-hour, and we can be sure the skipper of a US nuclear sub we surely have parked off it's coast is ready, willing, an able, to defend American interests by putting down the N Korean dog to put it bluntly.
The reason a joker like Trump will not use the military against the North is again those artillery pieces. They can't be wiped out in a first strike, as they are too numerous. The South Koreans would say no, and that's that as far as any military magic goes.
So to sum up: North Korean nukes are a non-issue, S. Korea holds the cards, & it says "no." Find a diplomatic way. The end.
The reason a joker like Trump will not use the military against the North is again those artillery pieces. They can't be wiped out in a first strike, as they are too numerous. The South Koreans would say no, and that's that as far as any military magic goes.
So to sum up: North Korean nukes are a non-issue, S. Korea holds the cards, & it says "no." Find a diplomatic way. The end.
6
More sanity. Encouraging.
Tyrants who spend lots of time getting their name and big fat smiling face into the international papers are allergic to being incinerated.
Like the Cuban missile crisis, can the threat of N Korea nukes and ICBM's be ended with a U.S. and S. Korea commitment to never invade N. Korea, to establish a permanent border, and end the Korean War with a peace treaty?
2
Peace Treaty??? Can you have a peace treaty with someone who needs the threat of Invasion to justify his existence? The only real to deal with North Korea will be to Carpet Bomb their Military and Government off the map.
Surgically removing a certain fat politician might be the real answer.
Surgically removing a certain fat politician might be the real answer.
1
What, Terrence? Carpet bomb? Long before our bombers approach his border, radar will know we're coming and Kim will launch nuclear missiles at us and our allies. His missiles can probably hit our West Coast and Hawaii. They certainly can hit our allies S. Korea and Japan.
2
Well you offer a treaty every so often and let him turn it down.
Then, like Hussein, he can have a fake nuclear program, which is much cheaper, and save the money to import celebrities to entertain him.
I am sure that he realizes a real invasion is as much of a threat to his regime, as the lack of a threat.
People that can only think of violence as the solution, are the threat, and we have too many of you here. This guy is not Hitler. He doesn't have the capability.
Then, like Hussein, he can have a fake nuclear program, which is much cheaper, and save the money to import celebrities to entertain him.
I am sure that he realizes a real invasion is as much of a threat to his regime, as the lack of a threat.
People that can only think of violence as the solution, are the threat, and we have too many of you here. This guy is not Hitler. He doesn't have the capability.
War is an answer to domestic problems and failing approval ratings.
Wilson, a devout racist, got America into WW I.
Roosevelt, a declared politician to solve America's domestic depression, got us into WW II. Don't believe it was Pearl Harbor because FDR's administration's actions including stopping oil and many raw materials to Japan led the Japanese to do something dumb, and it did. The surprise was no surprise as America had broken the Japanese codes. But even if it were a surprise, what was America's leaders thinking after presenting to Japan a list of demands and at the same time limiting access to oil and steel?
Johnson could have been the greatest president but he liked playing general in Vietnam. 55,000 dead and hundreds of thousands wounded and a wrecked inflationary economy.
Nixon promised Vietnam peace before election and then went to war against the whole Southeastern Asia, in secret, and with poor results.
Bush I and Bush II used Iraq as a testing ground for needless wars. But Bush II added Afghanistan first to test the waters.
The unnamed presidents were just slow at the game and fought localized wars of no real consequence except to unite America against external devils and to divert attention from issues facing Americans at home. The two attacks in violation of any level of reason or international law include invasions in Panama and Grenada (thank god we saved those American medical students relaxing on the beach).
N. Korea should have been target # 1!
Wilson, a devout racist, got America into WW I.
Roosevelt, a declared politician to solve America's domestic depression, got us into WW II. Don't believe it was Pearl Harbor because FDR's administration's actions including stopping oil and many raw materials to Japan led the Japanese to do something dumb, and it did. The surprise was no surprise as America had broken the Japanese codes. But even if it were a surprise, what was America's leaders thinking after presenting to Japan a list of demands and at the same time limiting access to oil and steel?
Johnson could have been the greatest president but he liked playing general in Vietnam. 55,000 dead and hundreds of thousands wounded and a wrecked inflationary economy.
Nixon promised Vietnam peace before election and then went to war against the whole Southeastern Asia, in secret, and with poor results.
Bush I and Bush II used Iraq as a testing ground for needless wars. But Bush II added Afghanistan first to test the waters.
The unnamed presidents were just slow at the game and fought localized wars of no real consequence except to unite America against external devils and to divert attention from issues facing Americans at home. The two attacks in violation of any level of reason or international law include invasions in Panama and Grenada (thank god we saved those American medical students relaxing on the beach).
N. Korea should have been target # 1!
5
Reagan was one unnamed president whose war efforts were abominable. Grenada? Unbelievable. But all he did was unleash the conditions for the mess we have now.
Don't expect so-called president Trump not to follow his idol except N. Korea has these funny little allies called China and Russia and we have a few vulnerable allies made that way so they could never be a threat to US.
Prediction: A threat if not a real war within the next three months. No need to go to war to die. modern weapons make it possible to stay home watching fake news while the bombs go off all around. Prediction based on impression that we got a leader whose hair style might look different from N. Korea's leader, but underneath the same egotistical aberrations abound.
Don't expect so-called president Trump not to follow his idol except N. Korea has these funny little allies called China and Russia and we have a few vulnerable allies made that way so they could never be a threat to US.
Prediction: A threat if not a real war within the next three months. No need to go to war to die. modern weapons make it possible to stay home watching fake news while the bombs go off all around. Prediction based on impression that we got a leader whose hair style might look different from N. Korea's leader, but underneath the same egotistical aberrations abound.
4
To summarize that post:
"The US is always the aggressor and shouldn't have even involved itself in WW2. Every intervention in the last 100 years was the result of a President getting power hungry, and wars in Southeast Asia were particularly disastrous. We should have gone to war with North Korea much sooner."
"The US is always the aggressor and shouldn't have even involved itself in WW2. Every intervention in the last 100 years was the result of a President getting power hungry, and wars in Southeast Asia were particularly disastrous. We should have gone to war with North Korea much sooner."
You were going to get a recommend until your last sentence.
China must weigh the consequences of a North Korean attack against the US and/or its allies versus the consequences of a collapse of the present North Korean regime. An attack on the US will result in the incineration of North Korea with all of the problems subsequent to that. Perhaps China and the US can agree to bring down the present NK regime and share the costs of remedying the consequences of that.
4
This. China should have no desire for a nuclear war in its backyard, or the global economic fallout (or the fallout fallout, for that matter) that will result. So they have two options ahead of them: either they help us get this threat under control, or they step in and join on North Korea's side (which could well spark WW3 the way this is going). I don't see any way that neutrality will be a good thing for them.
1
I don't suppose anyone thought that the ad was a way of bluffing about the North Korean capabilities? Knowing that the ad would be traced back to the country?
I mean, do you really have to have a bomb if you fool people into thinking you have a bomb?
I mean, do you really have to have a bomb if you fool people into thinking you have a bomb?
14
Yellow cake uranium, anyone? (I have no proof; just making a connection)
3
"I mean, do you really have to have a bomb if you fool people into thinking you have a bomb?"
Yes.You do. Need one. A loud mouth and idle threats add up to zero without ammo. Just ask U.S. President Crazy Pants.
Yes.You do. Need one. A loud mouth and idle threats add up to zero without ammo. Just ask U.S. President Crazy Pants.
2
I don't suppose anyone thought that that publicizing the ad was a way of benefiting from the bluff, or that the ad (Alibaba, perhaps) could as easily been placed from Langley or London as Pyongyang.
2
It seems simply telling them the truth would be the best option. Nuclear power is not efficient, because the effort put in, is greater than the output effort you can get out of it. Understanding chemistry, we cam harvest and store energy suitable for use on Earth. Nuclear energy is returned in the awkward form of excessive heat and liquid waste. Both Japan and America have been fooled and seen the hardships of waste and poisoning. Earth's temperature and environment are already very close to what humans need. Only a few environmental changes can have a big impact on letting the Earth recover to promote human health happiness and even more room for population growth. It seems the elements are named for places they could be useful. Lets stop wasting energy on Earth and send the Uranium research to Uranus and the Plutonium research to Pluto. Space is infinite, we are not getting anywhere fighting over this little rock.
2
I don't the man personally, but I don't think Kim Jong Un is concerned with the environment and human happiness.
1
It isn't nuclear power N. Korea is developing, but hydrogen bombs.
1
"the effort put in, is greater than the output effort you can get out of it. "
this is always true. this is 2nd thermodynamics.
this is always true. this is 2nd thermodynamics.
1
The options the US have are limited: Bad, Worse, and Worst. Better to stop a maniac BEFORE he as the ability to do damage than later. While Kim is not stupid there is such a thing as miscalculation. That type of error would have ramifications worldwide. Of course, in retrospect, Hitler should have been stopped BEFORE Munich.
6
The photograph of Kim is a metaphor for the entirety of that sad country: surrounded by toadies terrified to stop writing; a backdrop of deserted buildings and the most highly trafficked street in the country. All that's missing to make this scene even more miserable would be Donnie hugging Kim.
28
Monkey See; Monkey Do
Add to your observations, Richard, that that idiot chose to stand at a point in that empty street -- even empty of tire marks -- at a location where there's a sizeable crack in the concrete.
One of the differences between North Korea and the U.S. is that we have our "leader" and his cadre of enablers as a matter of mindless choice ... they have Kim Jong-un and his toadies because of the force of mindless power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVavyvMoe8o
Add to your observations, Richard, that that idiot chose to stand at a point in that empty street -- even empty of tire marks -- at a location where there's a sizeable crack in the concrete.
One of the differences between North Korea and the U.S. is that we have our "leader" and his cadre of enablers as a matter of mindless choice ... they have Kim Jong-un and his toadies because of the force of mindless power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVavyvMoe8o
It may be time to solve North Korea militarily. I don't say this lightly but we are literally talking about a country run by a psychopath bent on building thermonuclear weapons and delivering them to us. Not sure there is a better possible use case for overwhelming, instantaneous use of US power. No warning, no punches pulled. Every weapon in use, no more North Korea.
4
ABC, you do realize you are describing the US, only in our case we have a country run by an old psychopath who already HAS thermonuclear weapons.
3
. . . until China steps in to 'help' the 'underdog.' Are you ready to sidestep into a war with China?
5
The trouble with your proposal, which sounds enticing on the face of it, is geography. Seoul, the South Korean capital, is within less than 50 miles of the demilitarized zone/border between the two Koreas. The other North Korean border is with China. So an all out assault with "every weapon" would wreak destruction simultaneously on an firm ally and an extremely powerful global competitor. (I assume "every weapon" is a code phrase for nuclear arms.)
1
Involving China in negotiations with North Korea is too complicated for Trump. Remember how simple minded he has become in his old age. Thinking is really hard for some of these older politicians. Sending young people to engage in nuclear wars is so much easier. Trump is known for wasting OPM (other people's money). Now he is wasting OPK (other people's kids).
23
I think North Korea is China's little Pit Bull. As long as China thinks they have the leash firmly in their hand, they're going to use it to keep the U.S. in line. Since the election of King Don they are probably even more sure they've made the right decision. And they probably have . . .
Several other presidents have also failed, including the Lightworker, which is why we are now confronting this problem.
1
Despite one's political hostility toward Trump, it cannot be denied that Trump has been handed a North Korea challenge that has been made enormously more difficult by the abject failures of Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Barack Obama to effectively constrain North Korea's nuclear efforts.
While I oppose much that Trump wants to do (and support some), I pray he can have success regarding North Korea.
While I oppose much that Trump wants to do (and support some), I pray he can have success regarding North Korea.
42
If prayer doesn't work and it will not, (just ask any live of dead Pope), can I suggest an internet war game or maybe SNL. Of course, there is always opening the gut of some poor animal a la the early civilizations and after dissection, make a bogus statement that the gods willed this or that......
2
That's true, the proper solution to this should have been taken in the early 2000s after the peace talks and sunshine policy failed. It was notable that we were *very* close to a peace agreement with North Korea at the Clinton-Bush transition, and unfortunate that it fell apart.
https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/dprkchron#2000
https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/dprkchron#2000
3
You better hope his defense budget increases go towards the Compact Fusion Reactor Lockheed-Martin is developing so we can fast track a laser based missile defense system to hot spots post-haste.
In both negotiation and in war, the only way an advantage can be had is when the other party has something to gain and something to lose. Unfortunately for the world, North Korea has nothing to lose, and also little to gain. This makes negotiation almost entirely pointless, they are numb to the pain of sanctions, and it makes war without a clear objective or end a real possibility.
83
I think they do have something to lose. A U.S. retaliation strike would level Pyongyang.
2
Really?
Denying the universal humanity of your enemy is used to justify your own inhumane immoral response. Those Native Americans, enslaved Africans, Mexicans, Germans, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Afghans, Iraqis, and Iranians were all demonic monsters.
There is only one biological DNA genetic human race that is multicolored, multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multi-national origin.
Denying the universal humanity of your enemy is used to justify your own inhumane immoral response. Those Native Americans, enslaved Africans, Mexicans, Germans, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Afghans, Iraqis, and Iranians were all demonic monsters.
There is only one biological DNA genetic human race that is multicolored, multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multi-national origin.
2
As crazy as Kim Jong-in is, at least he has a plan! It may be an insane, world ending plan, but it exists somewhere in that despotic head of his. On the other hand, we have Donald Trump who just sent his deeply unprepared and unqualified, thirty six year old Son in Law to Iraq last night and put him in charge of Middle East relations.
Donald Trump woke up this morning and the first message he had for the country was that Hillary had the questions to some debate. As if anyone in their right mind doesn't understand that Hillary Clinton probably knows and understands more about the dangers we face around the world than anyone one else in this world.
Our country, and indeed the planet, is in the hands of a lazy, erratic, bumbling fool. Trying to discuss the North Korean threat in a normal and logical manner is pointless. This isn't your garden variety sabre rattling, it's a train wreck waiting to happen.
Donald Trump woke up this morning and the first message he had for the country was that Hillary had the questions to some debate. As if anyone in their right mind doesn't understand that Hillary Clinton probably knows and understands more about the dangers we face around the world than anyone one else in this world.
Our country, and indeed the planet, is in the hands of a lazy, erratic, bumbling fool. Trying to discuss the North Korean threat in a normal and logical manner is pointless. This isn't your garden variety sabre rattling, it's a train wreck waiting to happen.
287
No, the train wreck happened the day of our election. This is just the aftermath, and it's a doozy. (with almost four more years to follow)
11
Hey, better to have a plan to destroy the planet than not to have a plan, right?! Kim Jong-Un's better than Trump, at least, right?!
What a pathetic excuse to feel superior by dumping on Trump.
What a pathetic excuse to feel superior by dumping on Trump.
1
Yeah, you Democrats keep convincing yourself that Trump is stupid, while he runs circles around you, looting the national wealth.
He plays dumb, because low expectations make you lazy and overconfident.
Meanwhile he is among the world's best con-men, surrounded by the world's other best con-men.
Would you be surprised if Dubbya was a master of the English language? I wouldn't. Politicians are actors by vocation, salesmen by trade.
He plays dumb, because low expectations make you lazy and overconfident.
Meanwhile he is among the world's best con-men, surrounded by the world's other best con-men.
Would you be surprised if Dubbya was a master of the English language? I wouldn't. Politicians are actors by vocation, salesmen by trade.
Let's get real. There is no viable solution to the international problems posed by North Korea short of China pulling the plug on the Kim family regime. Absent some devastating act, directly adversely affecting China, however, that is simply not going to happen. The best the international community can hope for is containing the worst tendencies of the Kim clan.
64
Just HOW do you propose to "contain" an ICBM? George Frost Kennan came up with containment in the late 1940s when even the US had trouble getting a plane to go the distance to the Soviet Union!
2
Do you think Trump and company will agree that this is the only option?
When it comes to a nuclear exchange there are no winners -MAD. Does Trump want his hotel empire to glow for eternity? I sincerely doubt it. However, the NKs are not rational by international standards.
2
North Korea is sabre rattling while Russia does the same in the Baltic and in Eastern Europe it seeks to alienate from Nato, cowering the west by contravening the INF agreement with impunity - and we have a President that appears to have no perspective let alone historic or geopolitical realization that our fear of battling on two fronts without taking into account our engagementS in the Middle East is beyond our current doctrine - frightening, all the more as Putin needs to fan nationalistic fervor to obfuscate the disastrous economic situation at home.
15
Regarding your first bit of your only sentence, are you dismissing the saber rattling of the west on the very borders of Russia? Not to mention our (the US) "excursions" in the western Pacific.
The only way to get this issue solved is to involve China. There simply are no other options which would work. The Chinese are not happy about North Korea having nukes but if they were to pull the Kim regime down they would be faced with (A) millions of Koreans seeking refuge in China or (B) a unified Korea with thousands of American troops stationed virtually next door or (C) possibly war with the Kim family, of which North Korea is a private fiefdom.
China cannot simply turn a blind eye to what's going on in Pyongyang. The future of relations with the U.S. hinge on their help in getting rid of the nuclear threat to the United States and its Asian allies. North Korea is way too unstable to be allowed such weapons.
As time moves on, the expansion of N.K.'s nuclear program (to large numbers of ICBM's and MIRV'd missiles) will make the situation even more untenable for the U.S. At some point, if not already, North Korea becomes a "clear and present danger" to America and will have to be dealt with militarily.
A relatively peaceful solution is possible but it requires courage on the part of China and the U.S. to trust each other. A tough hurdle in these days, for sure.
China cannot simply turn a blind eye to what's going on in Pyongyang. The future of relations with the U.S. hinge on their help in getting rid of the nuclear threat to the United States and its Asian allies. North Korea is way too unstable to be allowed such weapons.
As time moves on, the expansion of N.K.'s nuclear program (to large numbers of ICBM's and MIRV'd missiles) will make the situation even more untenable for the U.S. At some point, if not already, North Korea becomes a "clear and present danger" to America and will have to be dealt with militarily.
A relatively peaceful solution is possible but it requires courage on the part of China and the U.S. to trust each other. A tough hurdle in these days, for sure.
116
It will be particularly difficult for China to trust the US about anything given the current administration.
12
Perhaps China and the US can cooperate on dealing with the refugees resulting from a collapse of the North Korean regime.
3
None of the diplomatic problems with China seem insurmountable if we sit down and talk and are willing to mutually give a little with each other's best interests in mind. That's how negotiations were always supposed to work, not the sorts of "win-lose" "beat the other party" deals that people seem to have in their minds whenever the word is mentioned nowadays.
I mean, it even seems pretty clear-cut. They help neutralize North Korea, we can allay their concerns regarding THAAD, help them take in some of the refugees, and not a single word needs to be mentioned about the South China Sea because that dispute is not at all relevant to this issue. They avoid a nuclear war in their backyard, we avoid one in ours, the world stays at peace and we can keep growing our respective economies without this stuff interfering.
I mean, it even seems pretty clear-cut. They help neutralize North Korea, we can allay their concerns regarding THAAD, help them take in some of the refugees, and not a single word needs to be mentioned about the South China Sea because that dispute is not at all relevant to this issue. They avoid a nuclear war in their backyard, we avoid one in ours, the world stays at peace and we can keep growing our respective economies without this stuff interfering.
1
China will do nothing to stop North Korea from getting nukes. They will simply run interference. The best thing the US can do is take out Kim Jong Un. Drone strike, cruise missile, Chem weapon, bio weapon, find a way to kill him. Throw out the rule book. If he's gone maybe North Korea has no will or desire to fight S Korea and the US
1
A humanitarian crisis created by war with NK would indeed be Chinas problem.
1
I wonder what kind of red button Kim Jong Un has? Given their paranoia my guess would be a hair trigger one. Bannon could have his war, Trump deflect while massaging his ego and North and South Korea could disappear (plus who knows what else) and we could have nuclear fallout for many years.
Rule book?! What rule book? That was burned at the last election. Trump rules are now the only rules that apply.
This so far sounds like similar bravado around WMD that was false, leading to the disastrous Iraq War. So we have this, and other hawks saying Russia committed an act of war against us. The rhetoric is sad.
1
The only sensible solution is parity, i.e. arrange for South Korea to have a nuclear weapon capacity of its own that gives it balance-of-power retaliatory capacity. Just one or two submarines with that capacity would do it.
4
Trump "If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will". Isn't this the same clown who said he was going to recognize two Chinese governments - until China refused to communicate with him for two weeks - and then folded like a cheap suit? The real danger is other nations are perceiving him as all bluster - like the Freedom Caucus - and he will ultimately take desperate measures to prove his chops :(
15
Obviously, North Korea's nuclear threat must be dealt with. But, this ad? Come on, there's no way that was a legitimate ad. Who knows who placed it. It's straight out of an Austin Powers movie.
11
Have you seen their propaganda videos? They look like the first attempt of a 7 year old who just got his hands on Photoshop. Their PR is unbelievably crude, but it gets the point across. This could be fake or it could be real, but it doesn't change the underlying threat of NK acquiring the capability to perform a nuclear strike on the US within a few years.
2
Trump has made a good case why a war with North Korea will provide a good diversion from his Russian fiasco and perhaps give him a bump in popularity polls among his followers while killing the sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers of real Americans forced to fight his war of distraction.
58
Pretty sure the nukes and the missiles are real, and North Korea repeatedly airs propaganda broadcasting an intent to nuke the US. They're going to have an ICBM in a year or two, which is inline with the projections that the State Dept. made under previous administrations. At that point, all they'll have to do to nuke us is push the button.
But yes, clearly just a distraction over the Russia affair.
But yes, clearly just a distraction over the Russia affair.
1
I've been saying for years, the Constitution should contain a clause that whoever declares war, LEADS the troops into battle. We need to have this in writing - then the wars will stop.
1
Sometimes problems have to be managed until they can be solved. Deterrence worked during the Cold War, and it's the best bad alternative now. But it requires patience and careful adjustment over time. Not exactly Donald J. Trump's core competencies.
Now if lying and tweeting could disarm North Korea...
Now if lying and tweeting could disarm North Korea...
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"But it requires patience and careful adjustment over time." So why did Obama fail to solve this?
2
I think it requires active outreach more than mere patience. When the US had its closest approach to a deal with North Korea (in late 2000 right before the Clinton-Bush transition), that came about as the result of many long and protracted meetings, both bilateral and the infamous six-party talks.
Would it be possible to schedule a no-holds-barred one-on-one between Tump and Jong-un? We've had the Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla in Manila, what about Vanity Hair?
139
its too serious to joke about--one detonation will change world history and lead to immeasurable suffering-- the adults in Washington and Beijing must guide US and China into dealing with this... or all will regret it..
2
Lucky you, there in Canada. Bet you wish right now you could sever yourselves at the border and just sail away from this time bomb you're joined at the hip with.
I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Thank you for that!
Could one speculate that Trump would go to war in Korea to mask his involvement with Russia in terms of the election. The answer is no doubt .."yes"
Hopefully, HR McMaster would be the "final" decision maker before the US struck Korea and start a new war on the Korean Peninsula.
The media folks need to address this possibility. Remember, Trump never had a physical..his mental condition is less than 100%..his judgement..as defined as.. "the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions."
Hopefully, HR McMaster would be the "final" decision maker before the US struck Korea and start a new war on the Korean Peninsula.
The media folks need to address this possibility. Remember, Trump never had a physical..his mental condition is less than 100%..his judgement..as defined as.. "the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions."
42
Trump's afraid that North Korea will start a nuclear war. So to "solve" that, he threatens to start that very same nuclear war.
That's so . . . . Trump. I'd laugh if it weren't the end of the world.
That's so . . . . Trump. I'd laugh if it weren't the end of the world.
148
Trump where has threatened nuke war? As usual he has only made a general statement he can do this or that and with little detail. That he can solve N Korea on his own which he has claimed is another boastful babble with little backing that he continues to not back-up. In a week or two he will bababe he meant something else or that it should have been in quotes.
7
Well, perhaps Trump won't start a nuclear war. He is too occupied with drafting the plan to defeat ISIS.
On a serious note, there is a genuine need to try to contain the young dictator in his quest for nuclear weapons. However, it does appear that military action may be the only way. Many Presidents in the past have attempted diplomacy and sanctions to no avail.
We can only hope that nuclear weapons are not involved.
On a serious note, there is a genuine need to try to contain the young dictator in his quest for nuclear weapons. However, it does appear that military action may be the only way. Many Presidents in the past have attempted diplomacy and sanctions to no avail.
We can only hope that nuclear weapons are not involved.
3
If the North Koreans launch a live missile at the U.S. or an American ally, that's an act of war. The U.S. would launch two Trident missiles to Pyongyang removing it from the map along with the North Korean government. War over. What would China's response be? It certainly wouldn't be a nuclear weapon.
1