America is scared of North Korea.

[RCG Trader]

Quote from AAAintheBeltway:

In the unlikely event NK used nukes, yes, we would have an obligation to respond. I have grave doubts our current president would do so however, and so do the North Koreans, which illustrates the danger of having a weak president.

My real problem is with the concept of having a large contingent of US troops in SK as a tripwire. There is a limit to what we can accomplish. I don't see the need for us to defend europe from a non-existent soviet threat, and I don't see the need to protect a large, rich country like SK. At one point, 50 so years ago, maybe the policy made sense. it doesn't any more.

And, it is well known that we are stretched razor thin militarily. What I would do if I were Pres is let Israel fend for itself, because they can. Pull out troops, and prepare if NK crosses the line.

I know, I know, there is oil in them thar sands. So it aint gonna happen, but we cannot open another war front, and everybody pretty much knows that.

 

[377OHMS]

I'll help you all with a small clue regarding North Korea.

Hint: Japan has nuclear weapons

Its the only reason on the planet any sane country would operate a plutonium breeder reactor. There is no economic benefit from such a reactor and they are dangerous as hell. The whole world just condemned Japan for restarting their plutonium breeder after they had a small accident (a bunch of workers hit with super-heated steam).

Japan unquestionably has a badass nuclear weapons program and they routinely launch space vehicles fairly reliably from Tanegashima.

I'm saying they have intermediate and long range missile capability.

So if NK gets frisky and starts lobbing missiles towards Japan this might all be over in one afternoon. And trust me, China is scared shitless of Japan and always has been. You have to go over there to understand what I mean.

 

[Illum]

Quote from AAAintheBeltway:

In the unlikely event NK used nukes, yes, we would have an obligation to respond. I have grave doubts our current president would do so however, and so do the North Koreans, which illustrates the danger of having a weak president.

My real problem is with the concept of having a large contingent of US troops in SK as a tripwire. There is a limit to what we can accomplish. I don't see the need for us to defend europe from a non-existent soviet threat, and I don't see the need to protect a large, rich country like SK. At one point, 50 so years ago, maybe the policy made sense. it doesn't any more.

We are way too thin there. It makes no sense. They would get steamrolled fast. Either put a real force in, or take them out. We shouldn't be used like pawns by Washington or any other geopolitical mouth breather.

 

[Hansel H]

Quote from Kassz007:

And the fact that pieces of a NK made torpedo were found nearby. There would not be such an international response if the facts didn't clearly support the claim. The only one disputing this is NK. Look at the facts.

Also, given the relative military mights of SK vs NK it would be nuts for the South to be making bogus claims that could easily lead to war. A Korean war would be devastating for the South even with U.S. backing. NK has 1.2 million military; U.S. forces in S. Korea 27,000. China would, of course, back NK 100% if only covertly.

Could end up with a U.S./China war behind the smoke screen of of an NK/SK conflict (2nd Korean War?).

U.S. will bring back conscription.

 

[Hansel H]

Quote from 377OHMS:

I'll help you all with a small clue regarding North Korea.

Hint: Japan has nuclear weapons

Its the only reason on the planet any sane country would operate a plutonium breeder reactor. There is no economic benefit from such a reactor and they are dangerous as hell. The whole world just condemned Japan for restarting their plutonium breeder after they had a small accident (a bunch of workers hit with super-heated steam).

Japan unquestionably has a badass nuclear weapons program and they routinely launch space vehicles fairly reliably from Tanegashima.

I'm saying they have intermediate and long range missile capability.

So if NK gets frisky and starts lobbing missiles towards Japan this might all be over in one afternoon. And trust me, China is scared shitless of Japan and always has been. You have to go over there to understand what I mean.

China's had hydrogen bombs since 1962 and now has missiles so accurate they can knock specific satellites out of orbit. Japan is no match for China today. If China turns nasty they'll be unstoppable. Nuclear threats won't work; a single well-placed Chinese H-bomb can destroy any nation's economy.

 

[Ghost of Cutten]

Quote from Dr. Zhivodka:

At this point no one on this board knows jack shit. SK made the claims that their boat was sunk by NK, which may or may not be true. US State, DoD, Japan, Russia,Australia, NZand the UK and many others know the facts due to the listening devices and subs in and around the peninsula.

Ah yes, military "intelligence", that old chestnut. Worked so well in Iraq, 9/11, and Pearl Harbor, didn't it?