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NK is always very rational, even though most people do not understand their logic:
What they keep telling is, well they would also prefer a world without nuclear weapons and ICBMs but as long as other countries are allowed to build, own and operate those, they do not see any reason why they should not be allowed to. They do not accept a foreign authority to tell them what to do; either all countries are allowed or none.
But the situation is more complicated than people would think:
- South Korean conservative politicians keep presenting NK as the evil enemy, sometimes even giving money for some little provocation to NK high-rank military, so that they can present themselves as the only ones that can protect their people from the Northern aggression.
- China does not want a Korean reunification under South Korean leadership, because that would mean having South Korea (and therefore the US) right next to their border. Also, they want to keep exploiting North Korean ressources such as precious earths and metals, coal, and labourforce almost for free. There are thousands of NK workers in Chinese mines, treated like slaves and corrupt Chinese politicians benefit from that. Also NK has some rare metals that China wants a worldwide monopoly on.
- USA does not want a peaceful North Korea, because then they would lose their justification for massive military presence in the Korean peninsula, which is basically rather for being a pain in the ass for China than anything else. South Korea is the bridgehead towards the whole Asian region for US military and losing that would result in a very weak position towards China. Also it would result in South Korea leaning more towards China (in terms of trade, politics, society) than towards the US.
I do not think that North Korea will attack any place by now. They are not interested in a war, because they know that their 1950s and 1960s technology will not stand more than a week. Also, they do not have enough supply in terms of fuel, ammo, food, whatever. But what they want is to be sure that no other country will invade them, that is what the missiles and the nuclear programme is for. It's like a rattle snake saying "don't tread on me, move just on!".
From what I understand, it's all about maintaining power and control. Even if Kim wanted to play nice and back down, he would be afraid that this would embolden someone to assassinate him. He doesn't even trust his own family. So he rules with an iron fist to terrorize anyone who would even think about uprising against him. It's all about appearances with him. Having a nuke makes him look powerful.
IMHO the above post by Chance and Change is not appropriate. GDP relevance is irrelevant when you have someone pointing a gun at your head on your birthday. Obama was a failure and a fraud maybe worse. Sensitivity while lovely and worthy, only brought North Korea to this place. Ultimately China will have to decide if it wants war on it's borders. The general in charge of forces there said "self restraint" is the only thing preventing war". If it's starts it's going to be ugly, scary, and alarming on a scale Americans have never seen in the past two generations. There is no measure to this potential conflict.
Steel yourselves folks. If he actually has a missile which could reach Anchorage, Honolulu, or Seattle we are going to see things we have never seen before. Let's all pray China stops this little monster.
From what I understand, it's all about maintaining power and control. Even if Kim wanted to play nice and back down, he would be afraid that this would embolden someone to assassinate him. He doesn't even trust his own family. So he rules with an iron fist to terrorize anyone who would even think about uprising against him. It's all about appearances with him. Having a nuke makes him look powerful.
I wish this mattered. If it was just appearances that would be peachy. But if your neighbor is saying he's going to attack you and you see his shotgun, does it really matter that he wants to look good?
What incentive or motivation does China have to do anything about North Korea?
China should continue to do nothing very slowly to make the US look weak.
1] Initiate an air campaign to achieve air superiority, while simultaneously attacking Command & Control targets and jamming communications, along with suppressing missile artillery batteries.
2] Land an amphibious assault group on the beaches west of Pyongyang. Land another amphibious assault group on the beaches to the east of Pyongyang.
3] Move US troops forward to the DMZ to block movement of North Korean artillery assets.
4] Reinforce with the 7th Infantry Division.
5] Use B-52s to carpet bomb artillery, while using B-1B Lancers to attack both major highways to block
North Korean troop movements.
6] Hunt down and execute Kim
7] Occupy North Korea until North Koreans choose a form of government and hold elections.
Total time: 2-4 weeks for the ground conflict and 6-12 months to hold elections.
We lost a lot of soldiers in Korea in the 50's back when we knew how to fight big wars. China WILL jump into this conflict and then it becomes unwinnable.
I did enjoy reading this however. Reminds me of a Tom Clancy novel (that's a good thing)
We lost a lot of soldiers in Korea in the 50's back when we knew how to fight big wars. China WILL jump into this conflict and then it becomes unwinnable.
I did enjoy reading this however. Reminds me of a Tom Clancy novel (that's a good thing)
So is their goal to get a war started thereby emboldening Iran to strike Israel?
So is their goal to get a war started thereby emboldening Iran to strike Israel?
Oh boy, that's one level over my head. I believe that China is using North Korea as a tool to troll us into giving them something they want. And it's a pretty damn good tool.
I wonder if a couple of EMP's would slow NK down long enough to neutralize their nukes? Maybe it's time to try out a couple of the laser systems that've been developed, cause an "accidental" detonation on the launch platform maybe?
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by exm
I wish the US would have done this already. Something needs to be done.
Liberals need to realize that nuclear knowledge from NK might end up in terrorists hands. And yes, they can detonate a nuclear bomb in a progressive bastion like New York, Chicago or San Francisco. This impacts all Americans.
How many of your loved ones are you willing to sacrifice for 'might' and 'can'?
Why with this President is North Korea so ready to tease & taunt & provoke?
You can't be serious. Obama did everything he could to tone down North Korea and it mattered NOT AT ALL. It has nothing to do with who the US President is. They have been the same for the last....20 years?
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