We fail with NK strategies because no one in Washington from Clinton, Bush, Obama, to Trump, understands the situation. We underestimated by a big way how many different ways NK can do in response to what we do in terms of economic sanction or military strikes. Thanks goodness NK had not strike "preemptively" at any one and had not sold their technologies to other actors such as ISIS. But none of these are guaranteed going forward as both sanction and military exercises are in progress.
1
"tests by the North would invite tougher and “unbearable” sanctions from the United States."
So why not just impose those " unbearable " sanctions now and get off the silliness about stopping their nuclear weapons program. Bannon of all people was right on this issue, there is no military solution and most competent people know it.
So why not just impose those " unbearable " sanctions now and get off the silliness about stopping their nuclear weapons program. Bannon of all people was right on this issue, there is no military solution and most competent people know it.
The estimated 285lb, 5 foot 9 inch North Korean thug threatened his own Olympic team athletes with slavery in the coal mines if they didn't return home with "enough" medals.
Most of the men--maybe by now all of them--who were pall bearers for his own father 's funeral have been executed or have disappeared.
Some Russian scholars have said they fear he might turn nuclear weapons over to ISIS if his state fails.
I wish the Russians or Mossad would take care of him.
Most of the men--maybe by now all of them--who were pall bearers for his own father 's funeral have been executed or have disappeared.
Some Russian scholars have said they fear he might turn nuclear weapons over to ISIS if his state fails.
I wish the Russians or Mossad would take care of him.
6
Even Fidel Castro spoke up a few years ago and called the North Korean nuclear developments one of the most dangerous situations on the planet.
3
Indeed. And a quick search finds this illuminating article at Reuters from 2013: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-korea-north-castro-idUSBRE9340ML20130405
A couple things stand out:
"North Korea... has been ratcheting up pressure by declaring war on neighbor South Korea and threatening to stage a nuclear strike on the United States."
"At one point, Castro wrote a letter to Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev urging a nuclear attack on the United States, which he assumed was about to invade the Caribbean island."
These facts should be sobering to those who drink the deceptive cocktail of a) NK / Kim is rational, b) they have declared their nuclear ambitions as purely defensive, and c) they would never initiate an attack.
Was Castro crazier than Kim? Well, he asked the USSR to use its nuclear arsenal based on a *preventive* thesis. He felt threatened and would have launched a nuclear attack if he could have.
A couple things stand out:
"North Korea... has been ratcheting up pressure by declaring war on neighbor South Korea and threatening to stage a nuclear strike on the United States."
"At one point, Castro wrote a letter to Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev urging a nuclear attack on the United States, which he assumed was about to invade the Caribbean island."
These facts should be sobering to those who drink the deceptive cocktail of a) NK / Kim is rational, b) they have declared their nuclear ambitions as purely defensive, and c) they would never initiate an attack.
Was Castro crazier than Kim? Well, he asked the USSR to use its nuclear arsenal based on a *preventive* thesis. He felt threatened and would have launched a nuclear attack if he could have.
Only the toughest sanctions on the Chinese and their companies dealing with North Korea will stop Kim.
2
I just have to wonder what, if anything, those military remora fish attached to Jong Un write in those little notebooks they always have in their hands. Quips and bon mots perhaps. . all sunshine and smiles and "big salad" bowl hats - I'll bet Trump is insanely envious of the Dear Leader.
3
It fascinates me that No Korea would push ahead so hard with this technology, when the world is watching you AND telling you to STOP! I pretty much have decided that Kim is crazed with a need for power and weaponry. His fantasies of being a nuclear power must keep him awake at night!
I thought the most interesting comments in this article were from President Moon of South Korea, both in saying that the North does not yet have a reliable ICBM (he should know!), and also when he mentioned that further missile tests by the North would invite "unbearable" sanctions from the U.S. This prompts the question: What does he mean exactly by "unbearable'?
2
Double speak by a politician between a rock and very hard place.
3
But Trump said "Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!"
You mean to tell me that Donald J. Trump, our POTUS, was wrong? But he can't be! He is God-King Emperor Trump and is infallible.
What a buffoon we have sitting behind the Resolute Desk.
You mean to tell me that Donald J. Trump, our POTUS, was wrong? But he can't be! He is God-King Emperor Trump and is infallible.
What a buffoon we have sitting behind the Resolute Desk.
Why is Kim ALWAYS shown with aging generals with scrappy little notepads? Is seniority based on time spent in the military? I don't think I've ever seen a photo of a young General or Officer - is this to prevent any kind of comparison about leadership?
Considering the age of generals around trump right now, what's your point
2
I think it is important to remember that, as the POTUS has stated, there are good people on both sides. Kim Jong-un may be a dictator, but at least he has found a way to get rid of fake news and a legislature with a mind of its own. And, like POTUS, he loves his people.
1
My suggestion to people who love Kim's style is to apply for a long term tourist visa for North Korea. Just be sure to see a good estate lawyer to draw a good Will before you get on that plane to Pyongyang.
I take this article to mean that the Russians are now helping them build solid fuel rocket engines if not outright giving them to them.
1
NK is having a ball with crazy Trump, and China benefits, too -- we're too busy dealing with chaos in the White House to hold them to accounts.
We've had decades. Trump, as bad as he is in so many ways, was dealt an extremely bad hand here. Prior administrations have kicked the can down the road. Now we are truly in a crisis with mass casualties nearly certain - whether in the near term or later, because NK *will* almost certainly eventually launch a nuclear attack. And we have Trump as our president.
3
And Afghanistan -- talking about everyone kicking the can down the road! It's what they do, the generals, the diplos and the electeds. Whenever possible.
Kim is in full Nero Fiddled mode. Korea is in the midst of a severe drought and can barely feed its people. Instead of working to feed his citizens by moderating his stance he pushes his country into a domestic crisis.
Threatening Kim with the military isn't going to do any good. Delivering the truth about his actions to the Korean people is the first task. Kim is using American military bluster to cover up his inability to manage the country fit the good of his people. Getting information into N Korea is our best weapon.
Threatening Kim with the military isn't going to do any good. Delivering the truth about his actions to the Korean people is the first task. Kim is using American military bluster to cover up his inability to manage the country fit the good of his people. Getting information into N Korea is our best weapon.
4
Problem is how do we accomplish this?
1
Queens Grl is right. Exactly how? The country is extremely closed and people have been fed totalitarian propaganda for generations.
Just think of how far we've come in just a decade or so in the U.S. with people voluntarily self-segregating into rabbit hole echo chambers (left or right or beyond), completely unable to fairly hear voices from beyond their tribe and so suspicious of outsiders that any attempt of engagement is liable to backfire.
Just think of how far we've come in just a decade or so in the U.S. with people voluntarily self-segregating into rabbit hole echo chambers (left or right or beyond), completely unable to fairly hear voices from beyond their tribe and so suspicious of outsiders that any attempt of engagement is liable to backfire.
Obviously, not good news, if true. However, on the Trump Scale of Delusion and Megalomania, THIS guy seems relatively " not so bad".
And THAT, says it all. Seriously.
And THAT, says it all. Seriously.
2
North Korea continues its advancement of its nuclear arsenal with help from China, Russia and Pakistan. This latest round of sanctions, like the previous ones, will fail to curb Kim's nuclear weapons ambitions, but it will be successful at harming the North Korean non-elites. Those few North Koreans currently in the good graces of Kim will still get their luxury goods, although they are most likely Chinese made counterfeits, while the most vulnerable will suffer. North Korea's greatest benefactor, China, will continue to bide time and gain strength while successfully keeping the Korean people divided.
Although I would prefer a peaceful and reasoned diplomacy in resolving the North Korean problem, I believe that option is no longer exists nor is it in the best interests of the free people in the region and the US for the long term. As history has shown us, the Kim family will fail to live up to the terms of any agreement put forth so I strongly doubt North Korea would honor any future agreements.
Until the Kim family is removed from power we will have a dangerous and divided Korea. It is no surprise that China maintains its support of the brutal and oppressive Kim family as China sees Kim as a better option than a unified and strong yet peaceful Korea on their border.
Although I would prefer a peaceful and reasoned diplomacy in resolving the North Korean problem, I believe that option is no longer exists nor is it in the best interests of the free people in the region and the US for the long term. As history has shown us, the Kim family will fail to live up to the terms of any agreement put forth so I strongly doubt North Korea would honor any future agreements.
Until the Kim family is removed from power we will have a dangerous and divided Korea. It is no surprise that China maintains its support of the brutal and oppressive Kim family as China sees Kim as a better option than a unified and strong yet peaceful Korea on their border.
7
Move our carrier groups into position. Re-provision all naval and air assets to be prepared for a sustained attack on N. Korea as well as a possible threat of intervention from China. Have all our Army and Marine reserves check in and verify their readiness.
And upon the next provocation, no matter how small, use conventional means to obliterate N. Korea's military, leadership, and nuclear assets.
And upon the next provocation, no matter how small, use conventional means to obliterate N. Korea's military, leadership, and nuclear assets.
5
There truly is no military solution to this situation without causing enormous casualties on both sides. Would the US really be able to risk a quarter-million American civilians' and soldiers' lives who are living south of the border? The best scenario would be to resolve the crisis through diplomacy.
1
rveac,
Unfortunately, indeed it may be the least damaging thing to do - to accept hundreds of thousands if not millions of deaths near-term. What happens when this paranoid totalitarian regime has dozens of hydrogen bombs on ICBMs? What happens when they have enough room to put those weapons into the hands of ISIS? This is not some conspiratorial paranoia. We need to get over the reactionary America-self-hate, especially powerful as it is with Trump at the helm and the media feeding up the most loathsome images of our fellow citizens at a fever pace.
Unfortunately, indeed it may be the least damaging thing to do - to accept hundreds of thousands if not millions of deaths near-term. What happens when this paranoid totalitarian regime has dozens of hydrogen bombs on ICBMs? What happens when they have enough room to put those weapons into the hands of ISIS? This is not some conspiratorial paranoia. We need to get over the reactionary America-self-hate, especially powerful as it is with Trump at the helm and the media feeding up the most loathsome images of our fellow citizens at a fever pace.
2
What does N Korea have to gain by actually using such a rocket? If simply developing one keeps their spirits and self-esteem up, maybe we should encourage them. Then when we do eventually swat the fly, we can at least say we allowed it to die happy, which I'd consider admirable.
"“I think the red line is when the North completes an ICBM and weaponizes it by loading it with a nuclear warhead, and it is inching toward that critical red line,” Mr. Moon said, warning that additional missiles tests by the North would invite tougher and “unbearable” sanctions from the United States."
What does this mean?
A Obama style red line?
What sanction is unbearable.
And why is there a tacit agreement including at the Times to say nonsense?
Either the US uses force to prevent North Korea from being able to nuke and estriy the US, in due time, or North Korea gets the capacity.
Say unbearable and unthinkable or unimaginable until the end of time and you have just said empty words.
Or say diplomacy. Those who get terminal cancer diagnoses can just say We Will Use Diplomacy and Negotiate. Works every time doesn't it.
Magical thinking to deal with the crazy king of a starving twenty five million, protected by a country of 1.6 billion that is itching to put the US in its place, abetted by Americans who think America deserves it for all the sins learned from the Comintern.
Diplomacy. Red line. Negotiate. Evil.
What does this mean?
A Obama style red line?
What sanction is unbearable.
And why is there a tacit agreement including at the Times to say nonsense?
Either the US uses force to prevent North Korea from being able to nuke and estriy the US, in due time, or North Korea gets the capacity.
Say unbearable and unthinkable or unimaginable until the end of time and you have just said empty words.
Or say diplomacy. Those who get terminal cancer diagnoses can just say We Will Use Diplomacy and Negotiate. Works every time doesn't it.
Magical thinking to deal with the crazy king of a starving twenty five million, protected by a country of 1.6 billion that is itching to put the US in its place, abetted by Americans who think America deserves it for all the sins learned from the Comintern.
Diplomacy. Red line. Negotiate. Evil.
2
Good, we need just one more misstep to justify an all out launch of a barrage of missiles into NK. It's time to take actions and liquidate that country.
They're telling us they want to destroy us and making weapons in front of our eyes.
What more do we need to know????
Waaaaaaaaake up!
They're telling us they want to destroy us and making weapons in front of our eyes.
What more do we need to know????
Waaaaaaaaake up!
3
They are not telling us they want to destroy us... Exactly the opposite. They have said their weapons are for self-preservation.
Yeah, by producing videos of simulated, graphic nuclear attacks on U.S. cities. The most popular one is San Francisco. It would be ironic, wouldn't it?
2
Our Korean problem requires a more thoughtful top leadership which we currently do not possess. The frightening aspects of this truth are overwhelming. Who can we rely on to make measured assessments and plan comprehensively to control the vagaries of a Korean madman? An American idiot?
6
At the same time Trump was telling people at his love in Arizona that Kim was now respecting the United States.
9
No wonder some of the Republican leaders are starting to voice concern about whether Trump has the mental capacity to be President....to be Commander in Chief.
1
But our president just said Kim Jong-un has backed down because Trump threatened him!
8
Finally North Korea's ultimate threat to the United States has been revealed. Mad Man Kim in the coming yeas will have submarine based nuclear missiles. His nuclear arsenal will be able to travel anywhere and long range accuracy becomes irrelevant. Within 5 years and probably far less North Korea will have nuclear missiles right off of America's west and east coasts. That is a threat there are no counter measures to be deployed. A nuclear warhead that could reach Washington DC or Los Angeles in 15 minutes or less and without a hint a missile is about to be launched. .
Those who say we can "live with" a nuclear North Korea are kidding themselves just as they have been the past 20 years. Kim's nuclear ambitions will just keep growing stronger and larger and his threats become ever more belligerent and frightening. South Korea has its head in the sand.
North Korea's nuclear weapons program must be stopped. There is NO other meaningful option.
Those who say we can "live with" a nuclear North Korea are kidding themselves just as they have been the past 20 years. Kim's nuclear ambitions will just keep growing stronger and larger and his threats become ever more belligerent and frightening. South Korea has its head in the sand.
North Korea's nuclear weapons program must be stopped. There is NO other meaningful option.
16
Kim will never launch an attack against the U.S., period. We can absolutely live with a nuclear North Korea just as we have since 2006. Meaningless propaganda aside, they have said their weapons are for self-preservation and their ultimate goal is a peace treaty on the peninsula and U.S. withdrawal from the peninsula. The U.S. has no reason to get involved in what happens on the Korean peninsula. That is for the Koreans to solve between themselves.
4
Tony,
That sounds like wishful thinking. It's so much easier to believe NK is headed by rational actors who tell us the truth.
That sounds like wishful thinking. It's so much easier to believe NK is headed by rational actors who tell us the truth.
2
Kim Jong-In: the second most dangerous man on the planet!
1
oops; make that Kim Jong-un
2
Surprise! US can thank India for helping North Korea advance her ICBM development. This have being ongoing since 1996! Even ex Indian ambassador admitted to India's assistance.
India need raw uranium to make hundreds of nukes and North Korea have plenty for a quid pro quo deal with India.
The satellite technology transfer is a smoking gun for everything else NK need assistance to overcome to make the nuke able to hit US. The last two test longer range, no explosion on ground like before means NK is suspected of getting the technology from outside. CEP accuracy is definitely due to India's assistance.
Google "India's embarrassing North Korean connection". Of course Pakistan, China, Russia have a part to play too but India have deep involvement the world did not realize. It's less likely to be China or Russia as they fear Chernobly like fallout and sanctions from US if caught.
India's need for raw uranium can be seen by Googling "India Is Building a Top-Secret Nuclear City to Produce Thermonuclear Weapons, Experts Say"
This was even before Obama went to India about a year and half ago and allow India to have civilian uranium from NSG but with no intrusive US inspection. IAEA cannot guarantee full compliance. So NK raw uranium is the cover India need to enrich the civilian uranium.