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Post by Don on Dec 12, 2017 5:11:14 GMT -5
For the same reasons other countries that have nuclear weapons don't? It kind of gets back to Don's point about the Soviet Union. Do we think Kim Jong Un et al have, essentially, a death wish? Why would they use nuclear weapons? As far as I can tell, they'd have to be crazy. But maybe (a) they are or (b) there's a possibility we wouldn't retaliate and they'd "win" something? Or (c) the threat would be enough? Well, I'm talking about a situation where the US and North Korea are already at war. Let's say Trump decides he's going to pursue a regime change in North Korea. So Kim Jong Un realizes he's on his way out of power. Is it really so unthinkable he might use nuclear weapons in such a scenario? The 2A assures KJU the right of self-defense.
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Post by robeiae on Dec 12, 2017 9:14:08 GMT -5
How real or unreal the threat of NK is can be debated endlessly. If one allows that Un is truly nuts, then there's no reason to assume he wouldn't launch a nuclear attack. If one allows that he's just playing the part to maintain his hold on power, then it's easy to allow that this is nothing but a big game, that he knows any sort of attack from him means an end to his and NK's existence. And of course, there's a ton of room in between.
While I can't say that I have the answers here, what I can say is that this is a problem that has been festering for decades, going back to the reign of Il(in the 90's). And the people of NK have been suffering because of this. Trump's blustering is easy to criticize (and rightfully so, imo), but the fact of the matter is that the international community--including the US--has done squat about this situation for decades. In the US, this goes back to Clinton. And that means that a good chunk of the "experts" at State don't have any answers; they never have.
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Post by poetinahat on Dec 12, 2017 19:51:28 GMT -5
That's about where I am - I don't think he's crazy, but (like Trump) he likes keeping people off-balance. And North Korea being bellicose has been a sore point for a long time, but now it's festering.
As far as the "experts" at State, I'm not sure who's more expert; sometimes even experts don't know the answers, because there isn't necessarily a definitive answer - so air-quoting their credentials doesn't seem apt. I'm not sure that we've had an influx of expertise with this administration, and I reckon KJU might have figured that. Just like every other world leader, he's going to conduct himself differently with Trump than he did with Obama, who was different from Bush, and so on.
Probably the biggest reason for the (not unwavering) faith I have that it will be okay? The people around these two: the advisers and military leaders around Trump, and China at KJU's shoulder. But I'm certainly no expert, air-quotes or not.
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Post by mikey on Dec 12, 2017 21:13:53 GMT -5
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Post by Christine on Dec 13, 2017 2:47:07 GMT -5
Well, I'm talking about a situation where the US and North Korea are already at war. Let's say Trump decides he's going to pursue a regime change in North Korea. So Kim Jong Un realizes he's on his way out of power. Is it really so unthinkable he might use nuclear weapons in such a scenario? I meant to respond to this earlier.... I agree, it's not an unthinkable reaction to such a scenario. But I don't understand why Trump or anyone else would pursue regime change in North Korea. Such an action would be inviting war, creating the scenario you suggest. So we wouldn't do that..... right? :/
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Post by michaelw on Dec 13, 2017 3:02:19 GMT -5
But I don't understand why Trump or anyone else would pursue regime change in North Korea. Such an action would be inviting war, creating the scenario you suggest. So we wouldn't do that..... right? :/ Hahahahahahaha. Maybe? I mean, I'm with you; I don't want a war with North Korea. But I know I can't say for sure what's going to happen. Trusting all parties to act rationally is a stretch for me, at the moment.
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Post by Christine on Dec 13, 2017 3:08:38 GMT -5
And I feel considerably less unconcerned, thanks a whole lot.
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