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[KHarvey16]

Securing Chinese cooperation is the key to cutting this particular Gordian knot. As the only country with notable foreign influence in North Korea it's probably the only one that could hold leverage over them, the only ones that could execute a coup with any chance of success, and if anybody was contemplating a military solution, an invasion from China would circumvent essentially all of their 50 years of military preparations.

North Korea may actually seem less threatening in 15-20 years than it does now, because while it may climb to a nuclear arsenal of 50-100 and have intercontinental range, technologically speaking advances in BMD and CRAM (assuming that's the path Japan and South Korea want to go) could more or less neutralize this as a serious deterrent.

China acting in their own best interest is definitely the biggest part of why doing nothing as far as military action on our part is the best option. Very possible they handle it one way or another.

You said all experts believe it's sabre rattling. The article says experts are divided.

Not divided about whether or not NK intends to launch a first strike it doesn't.

 

[Oriel]

lol you are so hostile. its tripping me out. are you korean dictator?

Merely giving the facts. Ballistic missiles and space launchers are inextricably linked.

 

[ponpo]

How dangerous are these missiles for commercial planes?

Not very but they are a reason why most avoid NK airpsace

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

It's the classic "i'm just punching the air why did you get in my way" defence. Certainly a step down from just king-hitting the country but a poor attempt to disguise hostility as... god, i don't know. negligence?

it is a step down though i'll agree to that.

If by negligence, they can get the deterrent they want, why wouldn't they? I mean, is obviously that they are becoming way more desperate and are risking for an accident that could easily led to war, but the fact they are willing to take these risks, clearly means, they are feeling more cornered by the moment.

The missiles didn't hurt anyone and didn't reached any soil from any country. The response to this is not to got to war and potentially kills hundreds of thousands of civilians casualties, but the be rational.

 

[dofry]

So basically this?




1180km is about 700 miles of the coast.

Every channel shows a bit different flight route.

 

[dukeoflegs]

Some are suggesting the missile may not have broken up and it could have been a simulated mirv attack.

That's scary.

 

[Oriel]

You can keep posting 8 year old articles when yes, they THOUGHT it was a long range ballistic missile.

The Wikipedia article that YOU posted even stated that this has since been proven incorrect.

It's called a ballistic missile in the first paragraph so......

 

[Fenderputty]

The rational response to this problem seems simple: tit for tat. The US or someone else should fire a missile over North Korea. Maybe drop some leaflets too

Obama flew Bombers over their capital. Trump hasn't even done that.

 

[4Tran]

I hear you, and I can concede that point, but they are technically still at war with SK.

Technically, Russia is still at war with Japan. It doesn't really mean a whole lot compared to what the concerned parties' interests are.

I agree, I'm simply saying that no matter which approach you want to take to "solving" North Korea, they're the largest factor.

I suppose, but you're going to have to offer an awful lot to China for anything beyond words of encouragement. Also, their pull on North Korea isn't all that substantial right now so it's not much of a solution.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Not very but they are a reason why most avoid NK airpsace

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_EC-121_shootdown_incident

Also the NK's have shot down US planes

And the Russians also have some sensitive stuff over there they don't have qualms about shooting down

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007

 

[pulsemyne]

BREAKING: South Korean military: North Korean missile flies 2,700 kilometers (1678 miles), with height of 550 km (341 miles)

sounds like a KN-15 with that sort of range.

 

[Oriel]

Obama flew Bombers over their capital. Trump hasn't even done that.

Flew B-52's over Pyongyang?! Um, no he didn't.

 

[Fenderputty]

I assume it is to payback the Americans for our war and potentially get SK back.

So you assume the leadership in NK wants to willingly give up their ivory towers? That's the end result of any attack. Their leadership knows this. The population they're deceiving with their war propaganda doesn't.

Flew B-52's over Pyongyang?! Um, no he didn't.

Sorry ... you're correct. It was over their border with SK. The Obama point stands though. So far he's done just as much if not more than Trump to escalate.

 

[SDCowboy]

BREAKING: South Korean military: North Korean missile flies 2,700 kilometers (1678 miles), with height of 550 km (341 miles)

sounds like a KN-15 with that sort of range.

Is this another missile, or is this the same?

 

[Maiden Voyage]

Not divided about whether or not NK intends to launch a first strike it doesn't.

John Schilling, who tracks North Korea’s weapons programs at the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, has concluded that within the next decade, North Korea will probably produce a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that can reach parts of the West Coast of the United States.

The country is also developing multiple ways to deliver these missiles, as indicated by Saturday’s submarine test-launch.

Some analysts say the North Korean warnings of a looming conflict with the United States and South Korea might not just be for show, but rather indicate that the country’s leaders earnestly believe war could be coming.

In this view, the country would need more than just a single bomb to deter its enemies. It would require a nuclear program large enough to make such a war winnable.

While such scenarios may sound outlandish, Mr. Lewis pointed to the 2003 United States-led invasion of Iraq and NATO’s 2011 intervention in Libya, which led to the grisly deaths of those countries’ leaders. North Korea is far weaker than its enemies, whom the country sees as bent on its destruction. And it faces a possible legitimacy crisis of the sort that seems to topple another government every year.

These fears, analysts say, could be spurring Kim Jong-un to drastically change his country’s behavior — upending long-held assumptions in the process.

.

 

[dallow_bg]

It's called a ballistic missile in the first paragraph so......

lol, might as well stop there I guess.
No need to keep reading.

 

[Obliterator]

I mean, its hard to believe this doesn't pop off into something REALLY bad soon if this sort of aggression continues.

You can't launch missiles over other countries without essentially being a threat of war

 

[KHarvey16]

.

That supports the point I'm making precisely? Iraq didn't attack first, you recall.

 

[old]

Japan does have a self defense force. I would consider retaliation to be self defense. You don't launch missles over other countries with impunity.

 

[pulsemyne]

Is this another missile, or is this the same?

Same one. Just the details on it.

 

[Flousn]

As a tourist in Japan (till the end of next week), all of this is getting really scary. Although I'm quite convinced NK won't actually initiate an attack, this is getting a bit too close.

 

[SDCowboy]

Same one. Just the details on it.

Maybe mention that, then.

 

[Occam]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

 

[PusherT]

The USA is going to unload on NK Trump going is going to do it with or without china consent. I think USA should to NK like they did to Iraq obliterate them.

 

[KHarvey16]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

Saving millions of innocent people?

 

[III-V]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

Not go to war and save South Korea?

 

[Kensation]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

Delaying the deaths of millions of South Koreans.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

I suppose, but you're going to have to offer an awful lot to China for anything beyond words of encouragement. Also, their pull on North Korea isn't all that substantial right now so it's not much of a solution.

If you needed a concrete incentive for their cooperation in the form of a bilateral agreement, the South Koreans could agree to stop hosting US troops on their soil in exchange for it. But I think even without such offers, the usefulness of North Korea to China is lower in the 21st century than it has been at any point since the Korean War. If NK starts becoming even more of a thorn in their side, it's not hard to imagine they would step up diplomatic/economic pressure of their own volition.

 

[4Tran]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

Beyond possibly saving the lives of millions of people, and preventing the destruction of the South Korean economy? Quite a few other things, actually.

If you needed a concrete incentive for their cooperation in the form of a bilateral agreement, the South Koreans could agree to stop hosting US troops on their soil in exchange for it. But I think even without such offers, the usefulness of North Korea to China is lower in the 21st century than it has been at any point since the Korean War. If NK starts becoming even more of a thorn in their side, it's not hard to imagine they would step up diplomatic/economic pressure of their own volition.

North Korea doesn't offer much usefulness to China at all, and they're actually being a bit fed up with the whole thing. China is still not going to offer much help without something major in return. Offering to get rid of the military bases stops them from hanging up on you, but not much beyond that.

 

[Dopus]

Japan does have a self defense force. I would consider retaliation to be self defense. You don't launch missles over other countries with impunity.

Yeah, let's push for a regional war that will leave millions dead. Good call.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

Making sure millions are alive the next day. C'mon.

 

[Occam]

Delaying the deaths of millions of South Koreans.

Until when? Until they have the capacity to kill hundreds of millions? To hold the world hostage?

 

[pulsemyne]

The USA is going to unload on NK Trump going is going to do it with or without china consent. I think USA should to NK like they did to Iraq obliterate them.

Merica....

And no the USA should not go to war with NK. It's a tremendously stupid idea for all involved.

 

[typist]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

A perpetual stalemate prevents war and mass destruction. Regime change could eventually come to North Korea through more diplomatic means

 

[GiantBombGamer]

The USA is going to unload on NK Trump going is going to do it with or without china consent. I think USA should to NK like they did to Iraq obliterate them.

Hmm...no, clearly you don't have much of an understanding on this subject.

 

[KHarvey16]

Until?

You presume some kind of strike is inevitable and you shouldn't.

 

[Jezbollah]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_EC-121_shootdown_incident

Also the NK's have shot down US planes

And the Russians also have some sensitive stuff over there they don't have qualms about shooting down

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007

You're not comparing a Soviet incident at the height of the cold war with the current geopolitical situation would you?

Because if you were, you'd be seriously discrediting yourself as any person of knowledge in this discussion.

 

[avaya]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

Please be joke post.

 

[Kensation]

Until?

Until hopefully another option can be found to not have them die.

 

[wiibomb]

What good will delaying the destruction of the North Korean regime do?

saving South Korea, saving Japan and Saving even US from being potentially nuked. not even thinking about China being involved for a potential full fledged nuclear war

 

[Maiden Voyage]

That supports the point I'm making precisely? Iraq didn't attack first, you recall.

These fears, analysts say, could be spurring Kim Jong-un to drastically change his country’s behavior — upending long-held assumptions in the process.

Does the weight of this statement really go over your head?

 

[Stone Ocean]

Oh pls. If we keep letting NK get on with this they may have the balls to actually hit a real target. Causing more casualties than if we intervene. Gotta say, I'm really glad some of you aren't in charge of anything important. That would be truly terrifying with what you would let slide.

Do you seriously believe that a NK attack would cause more casualties than retaliation from NK and China combined?

 

[PusherT]

Merica....

And no the USA should not go to war with NK. It's a tremendously stupid idea for all involved.

Not for USA and our allies end this foolishness. We don't answer to no one.

 

[KHarvey16]

Does the weight of this statement really go over your head?

No, because I read the article. They aren't talking about the assumption he won't start a war.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

You're not comparing a Soviet incident at the height of the cold war with the current geopolitical situation would you?

Because if you were, you'd be seriously discrediting yourself as any person of knowledge in this discussion.

No. I'm saying planes avoiding the area as happened for a while. not just because of missile tests

 

[dallow_bg]

Not for USA and our allies end this foolishness. We don't answer to no one.

lol, what is this?

 

[avaya]

Until when? Until they have the capacity to kill hundreds of millions? To hold the world hostage?

Using this logic the US should have just used SAC to launch massive first strikes against the Soviet Union post Operation Castle before they had time to mass produce weapons using the Teller-Ulam design.

Do you understand how MAD works? What is NK holding the world hostage over exactly?

 

[Fenderputty]

Until when? Until they have the capacity to kill hundreds of millions? To hold the world hostage?

Since when is "the capacity to kill hundreds of millions" worse than "actually killing millions"

 

[Maiden Voyage]

No, because I read the article. They aren't talking about the assumption he won't start a war.

I feel like we read two completely different articles.

 

[Alebrije]

Being honest , it seems is the only way they can test those missiles without invading other countries.

If Trump does not gets the wall or Nafta deal , NK will pay.