North Korea firing missiles into the sea...

[Davita]

With the destitution of South Korean President I have been brought to some reading about the... North Korea

China and north korea...
Half of all international aid of China goes to North Korea
China don't gain that much from North Korea, Nothing they would lose if the country unify with south... they would only have to give less aid

South Korea is already a large trade companion of China, It's third and china is the biggest of South Korea.
China would have very little to lose economically if both Korea reunite.

Pollitically, China goes more and more far away of N-K in this last year.
The N-K dictatorship is falling apart, more and more dissidence (mainly from diplomate, the only one allowed to leave the country). Also it is said to have more and more dissidence from the inside. The "new king" don't seem to have the same aura over it's population than it's father. Which explain why he is going nut over firing test missile (accompanied with menace) and assassination of who ever could take his place on the throne, like is half brother in Malaysia.

North Korea kingdom is falling apart!

The only concern of China is a flood of refugee... which can easily avoid by preparing a "coup d'état" AND the transition to the unification.
This would be a win-win for everyone except for Kim Jong-un and his general.

You have nailed it absolutely Phillippe........even I try to understand your English it is obvious I comprehend what I also believe. The pressure simply must be applied such that NK will implode.....then, the rest of our democratic world will assist ...just like before. The alternative is grave...but an alternative....look at history.

 

[Anglian]

I wonder how much worse it can get, once the elite feel the pinch then it will collapse, perhaps we are seeing the beginning of the end as several high ranking officials and family members have been bumped off.

 

[waarmstrong]

The news today is the North Korea successfully tested a more powerful rocket engine, presumably one that could deliver an atomic warhead to the continental United States. The news videos show Kim so excited he must have been pissing his pants.

One crazy egomaniac with nuclear capabilities is pretty scary; couple that with another one on the other side of the world is an even more dangerous mix, especially when both are having internal domestic problems.

 

[Davita]

One crazy egomaniac with nuclear capabilities is pretty scary; couple that with another one on the other side of the world is an even more dangerous mix, especially when both are having internal domestic problems.

So true...the one on the Asian side is a devil we know.....the other we don't yet know.

The Korean Peninsula is a hot-bed for a nuclear war, of that there is no doubt, but it isn't only an American issue...it will be every Nation's responsibility if this happens.

A singular American attack would be seen as an act of war of one Nation against another....which will escalate with all other Nations jockeying for a position to independently benefit.

That's why United Nations was created. It's the member States that need to define what action is needed to prevent another war...stop the talk and walk the walk.
A clearly defined resolution to destroy N. Korean nuclear capability, without a repercussion on any one State, is needed. Whether it's decided as a military action or a vigorous diplomatic action with a tangible, not wishy-washy, result, has to be agreed.
If any Nation vetoes this resolution they should be ex-communicated from the Community of Nations, declared a Pariah State and all trade, transport, visas to/fro visits be also vetoed. Any negative fallout on another Nation, from such action, to be shared by all other member States.

China will need to get off the fence and decide its future. Russia has to be viewed as a proud independent country but one that belongs to the Community...or the latter.

If this doesn't work I believe other Nations and communities (NATO, ASEAN) would then be wise to dissolve United Nations as unworkable and then take unit-lateral action, before too late. The League of Nations collapsed for a similar reason and Russia was the only Nation ever expelled.

Otherwise...history will be repeated. Nazi Germany was allowed to arm itself to the teeth, with impunity, and attack its neighbors ...have we learned nothing.

 

[fastpitch17]

The question that never seems to get asked is, just where NK gets their technological advancements? This stuff doesn't just appear under rocks.

If there were going to be strikes against NK they will not be nuclear. They will be conventional weapons. The US would first need to sit down with China and explain that they will only be targeting NK's nuclear capabilities, air defense, and retalitory weapons. That the US has no interest in it's leadership or want to control any part of NK. This might get China more at ease. Targets would need to be the nuclear capabilities, missle offense and defense systems, radar systems, air defense, and that fully weapoanized mountain overlooking Seoul that would rain down destruction on it. Cruise missles launched from subs, bunker buster bombs, and other weapons would be used including electronic.

 

[Davita]

If there were going to be strikes against NK they will not be nuclear.

There is NO guarantee that a reciprocal nuclear attack on Seoul would not happen given the destruction of Kim's regime.....as could be the case if there was an American non-nuclear attack.

 

[fastpitch17]

There is NO guarantee that a reciprocal nuclear attack on Seoul would not happen given the destruction of Kim's regime.....as could be the case if there was an American non-nuclear attack.

A nuclear attack by anyone would lead to a world war. Just the amount of destruction brought against civilians would bring a lot of condemnation towards the US.

 

[Davita]

A nuclear attack by anyone would lead to a world war. Just the amount of destruction brought against civilians would bring a lot of condemnation towards the US.

I agree and what I pontificated in my post #24.

It isn't only USA's duty to curtail N. Korean nuclear aspirations and blackmail tactics...it's the rest of us who also live on this planet. As Bush2 would maybe say..."Who's not with us are agin us!"

 

[fastpitch17]

I think China is the one that knows full well that they are caught between a rock and a hard place. They have tried to talk NK out of proceeding with their nuclear ambitions, publicly condemned NK for many of their test, and joined in on sanctions against them. At the same time they know they can't afford a collapse in NK that could remove the boarder buffer NK gives them and don't want to see millions of refugees crossing into China. I would think China would agree to a specific type of strike as long as it din't cause the fall of the regime unless that came later by the people or by China itself which wouldn't surprise me. The attack would need to be conventional since the fallout would hit surrounding nations, some of which are friendly to the US, like Japan.

Unfortunately, the US has an unstable president too. He is advised by mainly those that have little or no experience in these matters. One can only hope that if a plan is put in place, his current and former generals have the biggest say in the matter.

 

[fastpitch17]

Now, let's look at it in a Trump prospective. The House Intelligence Committee getting testimony from the head of the FBI and National Security Advisory were they have said that Obama did not have Trump Tower wiretapped and that the British Intelligence played no part in any Trump wiretapping, and adding to that Judge Neapolitan being outed from appearing on Fox news because of his wiretapping claims, shows Trump to be a misinformed president and questionable leader considering where he gets some of his ideas. The Committee also were informed that in fact, an investigation was started last Summer in connection with Trump staffers colluding to interfere with the US election. This has always been referred to as Fake News from Trump and his people.

Today's polls show an additional drop in his favorably rating of 6 point from last week to 39%. This is a good indicator he is losing his own voters. If we add the fact that many Republican representatives and senators are realizing that the ACA changes are going to throw them under the bus in 2018, he is loosing them to.

Trump is very good at trying to cover up negative reporting on his unstableness with some other outlandish proclamation and with having a large pile of negativity growing every day, attacking NK just may be his plan, an un thought out plan, but one where he thinks everything else goes away and he will be king.

 

[Anglian]

Even China seem at the moment unable to reign this nutter in, if they stop his exports Im sure this will totally topple his gyro, and he will send rockets in all directions, he just doesn't seem to get it, he wouldn't even survive a non nuclear attack let alone a nuclear attack. Where did he get his nuclear ability, probably from Pakistan or Iran,

 

[Davita]

Trump is very good at trying to cover up negative reporting on his unstableness with some other outlandish proclamation and with having a large pile of negativity growing every day, attacking NK just may be his plan, an un thought out plan, but one where he thinks everything else goes away and he will be king.

Given Trump is the Commander in Chief...I wonder what would happen if he ordered the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to attack N. Korea...and he said "fuck-off loony."

 

[fastpitch17]

Given Trump is the Commander in Chief...I wonder what would happen if he ordered the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to attack N. Korea...and he said "fuck-off loony."

First off he would need to order the Secretary of Defense who would in all likelihood bow down to him. Without a viable plan in place, I think the joint chiefs of staff would immediately have the congress and senate supporting their decisions. If they have a plan in place which they in all likelihood do, then it would come down to if that plan is being followed. Yemen was a failure and still fresh in their memories. Sure, a military leader could be fired but I would bet all hell breaks loose right after. What could Trump do if the entire military decided to stand down. They will follow their decisions of their direct leadership first.

 

[fastpitch17]

Looks like Trump wants to do more sanctions thus hitting Chinese banks and to get the THAAD system in place. Both will anger China but who knows, China just might get more aggressive with NK just to get the missile system out of the South.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusiv...ng-broad-sanctions-north-korea-234921206.html

 

[Davita]

Looks like Trump wants to do more sanctions thus hitting Chinese banks and to get the THAAD system in place. Both will anger China but who knows, China just might get more aggressive with NK just to get the missile system out of the South.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusiv...ng-broad-sanctions-north-korea-234921206.html

There is a line in the link that is very important...."Washington is increasingly concerned, however, that the winner of South Korea's May 9 presidential election might backtrack on the deployment and be less supportive of tougher sanctions."

South Korea may feel it's just a pawn in this game of 'chicken' and they are the most vulnerable. If I were them I'd want some assurances of going 'all-out' if the 'shit hits the fan' and require a global commitment from other nations....and not just the USA.

The President's bellicose attitude of 'America first' doesn't bode well for those allies who rely on commitments.

 

[fastpitch17]

The US has thousands of troops in Korea as well as thousands of family members. I doubt the US would be willing to sacrifice them no matter who is the US president. As for the SK new president, he/she would be a fool to think he/she would ever be out of danger. Seoul is the Norths easiest target and would bring destruction just to send a message to the West. If the US were to start removing troops because SK is showing a different path with this guy in the North, Kim will look at it as an invitation to attack thinking he could take the South and add it to his rule.

I think there will be armed conflict with the North. I just wish a more level headed person in the US would be directing it.

 

[Daniel50]

Even China seem at the moment unable to reign this nutter in

I am confused Anglian which leader are you discussing, NK or US?

 

[Anglian]

I am confused Anglian which leader are you discussing, NK or US?

You could say both really, they both seem to think an A-bomb will be the answer to all problems, sadly us mere mortals know better, it will drag everyone in, like all dictators fatty Kim has no regard for anyone but himself, very much like Hitler I think, I expect some of Kim's generals think he is quite mad, much like Hitler's generals, but will just let him crash on hoping it will all be well,

 

[jstar]

I am confused...... which leader are you discussing, NK or US?

 

[Daniel50]

Nope he is still #1. At some point something is going to happen around this. He was reported to have possibly been shooting off more rockets toward Japan. Big job being President of the US. Hopefully they make the right decisions but at some point it looks like something will need to change or there will be direct military confrontation. I remember reading some of the internal propaganda, of NK, it was quite some stories about the myth of the leader and they reported NK was the richest country in the world and the US was the poorest.