I hope you are right. We will find out soon enough.

Will JohnyCrash ever realize how empty North Korean threats are?

Is applying rationality to the latest guy wise? He has been in office 3 years and kills off his inner circle with more regularity than his predecessors.

If you think a certified nut with nuclear weapons is nothing to be concerned about, then I don't know what to say to you.

North Korea knows they won't be a country anymore if they try anything, and those in power live a pretty good life despite the rest of the country, and they want to say in power. They won't do anything major.

The states and other enemies of North Korea are threating to take him out while also bringing in military equipment and surrounding NK. I don't know what the game plan is but if Kim thinks he is going to be killed he might do something that could potentially kill millions.

They probably don't have missiles capable of hitting the States yet, but if I was in SK or Japan I would be more then a little worried.

The U.S. needs to stop Trump before something really bad happens. NK is going to set off a test nuke tomorrow and Trump does what................?

****ing guy is Tomahawking, M.O.ABing and his next move might cause the death of millions.

Is there any chance that the missile test failure wasn't an accident?

80% of all their missile tests are falures. No! It is not an accident.

The escalations of tension between the US and NK is a result of NK going all in with it's nuclear threats. We finally have a President who will stand up and call his bluff.

China has warned NK to stop testing nukes and ballistic missiles or it risked retaliation from China. It seems like the Chinese have run out of patience with NK.

That is what I was wondering. Maybe the supreme being isn't calling the shots as much as he might like to think. The again maybe it was just a snafu

To answer OP, I think it's a combination of things. First, North Korea is viewed as somewhat of a sad joke--kind of unfortunate when you think of the people doomed to live there. People don't take them, or their threats, seriously. The language they use when they feel affronted is the stuff of satire.

Now, I think it's a matter of time until their technology progresses to the point that they are a legitimate threat to world peace, but that day isn't here yet. With Russia, China, Iran, etc....it's just hard to care as much about NK.

Furthermore, they are still a self-interested nation state. Any move on their part seals their doom. I'd be more concerned with a terrorist organization getting their hands on WMD--their demise is their reward, which makes them more difficult to deal with (obviously).

What's your thought here?

When I lived in China for awhile I'd have conversations with expats about NK, and it was universally understood that NK gets as much slack in the leash as China allows.

Of course, we were usually drunk on TsingTao or Tiger, but whatever.

I have no evidence obviously but we have a situation where loony leader is determined to do a test and that might be enough to get trump to use force. The convenient short term solution for China (possibly along with saner support within N-Korea's command) is to accept the order to test and then make sure it fails.

NK will not use nuclear weapons for their own wars.

They only do tests for the purposes of selling their tech and expertise.

The problem we have with the Norks is that there are about 15M people living within range of the DMZ and Nork artillery.

Defending against hardened artillery is extremely difficult.

Time for a MOAB?

I don't know why Trump keeps talking about taking him out. If Kim Jung UN thinks he destined to be killed by a. U.S. preemptive strike he might decide to go all out and do as much damage as he can.


If Trump has a plan to do it he should shut up and do it. The world will never be the same if N Korea launches nukes at S Korea, Japan and China.

Trump needs to keep up with the tough talk to perpetuate the narrative that he is stronger than Obama with regard to this issue.

I think the US and China are more in control of this situation than they are leading us to believe. If the US took action it would have to be massive action. I don't think that will happen or needs to happen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39694640
Is there any non-alarming explanation for this?

IMO, the whole NK situation is alarming.

Japan is building a navy again. Alarming.

That the Trump Administration is briefing the Senate is not much more alarming then usual, IMO. The White House has to know that the Senators will likely leak this info, so we will know eventually what the story is.

I think calling all the Senators and now talking about more sanctions is all a big dog and pony show. I think they are going to try and take him out. I just hope it doesn't turn into a complete disaster.

NK has just successfully tested an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Now what?

That's no way to talk about your own President.

Ya we get it! You're jealous. I would say that if you have nothing productive to bring to a conversation you should buzz off!

lol morongi. What's your preferred response to this situation?