ARE THE NUCLEAR THREATS OF NORTH KOREA A PLOY BY IRAN AND NORTH KOREA TO BUY TIME FOR THE IRANIANS TO COMPLETE THEIR NUCLEAR WORK?
It appears that no nation has really held North Korea accountable for its rhetoric or actions for fear that the “crazies” have little or nothing to lose if they choose to sacrifice a significant portion of their starving and brainwashed population in a cross-border push into South Korea or China. Both the South Koreans and the Chinese are unprepared for this level of mass migration of desperate people who may not assimilate well into any society given their mindset, illiteracy and lack of conventional skills.
So, since it appears that Iran has the cooperation of North Korea in the development – and possible testing – of an Iranian weapon, why should we not consider the possibility that this is just another one of Iran’s delaying tactics? Especially since there are few consequences to North Korea as they are now operating under allegedly “strict” United Nations sanctions.
AFP Media is reporting …
N. Korea approves nuclear strike on United States
North Korea dramatically escalated its warlike rhetoric on Thursday, warning that it had authorised plans for nuclear strikes on targets in the United States. "The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said, warning that war could break out "today or tomorrow".
Pyongyang's latest pronouncement came as Washington scrambled to reinforce its Pacific missile defences, preparing to send ground-based interceptors to Guam and dispatching two Aegis class destroyers to the region.
Tension was also high on the North's heavily-fortified border with South Korea, after Kim Jong-Un's isolated regime barred South Koreans from entering a Seoul-funded joint industrial park on its side of the frontier.
In a statement published by the state KCNA news agency, the Korean People's Army general staff warned Washington that US threats would be "smashed by... cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means". "The merciless operation of our revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified," the statement said.
Last month, North Korea threatened a "pre-emptive" nuclear strike against the United States, and last week its supreme army command ordered strategic rocket units to combat status.
But, while Pyongyang has successfully carried out test nuclear detonations, most experts think it is not yet capable of mounting a device on a ballistic missile capable of striking US bases or territory. Mounting tension in the region could however trigger incidents on the tense and heavily-militarised border between North and South Korea.
There was no immediate American reaction to the North's latest statement, but US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Pyongyang represented a "real and clear danger" to the United States and to its allies South Korea and Japan. "They have nuclear capacity now, they have missile delivery capacity now," Hagel said after a strategy speech at the National Defense University. "We take those threats seriously, we have to take those threats seriously." Read more at: AFP: N. Korea approves nuclear strike on United States
Time to get serious …
The North Koreans shelled military and civilians as well as torpedoed a ship without significant consequences. The idea of a proportional response is bull-pucky. Any attack should be met with an overwhelming response aimed at the leadership of North Korea – as in targeted drone strikes or cruise missile attacks on critical infrastructure.
If the Secretary of Defense believes there is a clear and present danger of a confrontation with North Korea, why does he not report to his boss, President Barack Obama, who in turn should bring the matter before Congress. Perhaps, a national address is in order where the United States points out that the United States is prepared to take action should North Korea pursue any act of aggression against any United States asset or those of its allies. And then disabling their internet and satellite communications for a suitable period of time as reinforcement of our willingness to take action.
If you can believe published reports, President Obama is portrayed as a weak leader and the United States as a paper tiger. Perhaps what is needed to restore respect is decisive action?
So will he fall for a head fake by North Korea and their ne best friends and funding sources in Iran?
-- steve
“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS