North Korea has repeatedly threatened to test-fire an ICBM

[A159]

All I got to say is Kid Un is sending Trump an olive branch via a ballistic missile. This is certainly one to watch how it will play out.






http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-ready-test-fire-icbm-any-time-any-place-n712026
 Jan 25 2017, 3:01 pm ET
North Korea Ready to Test Fire ICBM ‘Any Time, Any Place’: Official

by Bill Neely and Mark Hanrahan

North Korea has repeatedly threatened to test-fire an ICBM since its leader, Kim, said in his New Year message that the country's preparations for such a test were at an advanced stage.



"Pyongyang is much further along in their missile development than most people realize," said Melissa Hanham, a senior research associate at the U.S.-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, told Reuters earlier this month.

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 He did, however, sound some conciliatory notes on relations with the U.S., saying: "Our supreme leader Kim Jong Un said even though it has been hostile to us in the past, if the U.S. becomes friendlier to us we will develop that relationship."

Asked if he welcomed Trump's remark that he would be prepared to meet Kim, the official said "we will wait and see the difference between his campaign rhetoric and his policy as President."

[countryguy]

I think the whole world is "... wait(ing to) see the difference between his campaign rhetoric and his policy as President".

While launching a true intercontinental missile is, indeed, cause for concern -- the real worrying begins if and when North Korea manages to miniaturize a nuclear device that can be carried by that missile.

[Tony Light]

Trump should really crack down on them like obama did.

[A159]

Trump should really crack down on them like obama did.

What's your version of ''really crack down''?

[steelydan]

Tony?

[Tony Light]

Issue a red line.

[A159]

Issue a red line.

Ahhhhh .... now we're making some progress. Help me relate to exactly what 'actions' by Kid Un would violate that line.

[countryguy]

This should really be an interesting match-up -- two psychotics trying to outmaneuver each other - hopefully with at least one of them not really wanting to start World War III.

[A159]

I also look at this as a battle of 2 inexperienced buffoons. Trumper has the runniest motor mouth. Kid Un has had a couple of yrs playing around with a few missile launches from time to time. I believe that he also has a couple ordered executions under his bulky belt overcoat. Both hairdos suck. Trumper has high $$$$ DC think tanks while Kid Un has low budget Pyongyang nutty parade tanks. Yet, for 60+ yrs, NKorea has withstood deep isolation imposed by the West. I guess one would have to look at it this way. Which side of the pond has more to lose? The land of luxury vs the land of dirty rice.

Who would miss NKorea the most? Anyone? Who might object to NKorea's demise the most?

[A159]

This missile launch has been reported to have landed only 88 miles from Japan's coast. tic toc tic toc ..... it shouldn't be too long now.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/missile-north-korea-launched-was-an-icbm-pentagon/ar-AAoYz1m?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Missile North Korea launched was an ICBM - Pentagon

[countryguy]

I can't help but wonder, which one is more juvenile - Trump or Un.

[hoosier88]

Yah, even once you get to direct action, there are a fair number of options that the US can try.  But I really don't expect there to be discussion of what the possibilities are in an open forum.  & the options are driven by what kind of result we're looking for.

[steelydan]

There really isn't much the White House can do to punish or deter Pyongyang. Trump is likely to try to impose further economic sanctions on the regime. But as long as China continues to support North Korea, they won't do much good. And any military action would trigger devastating artillery attacks on South Korea. If common sense were involved the US could offer to stop military exercises with South Korea if North Korea freezes its nuclear tests... a long shot though.

[A159]

cg:
It is certainly a toss up between the 2. Kid Un, much younger than daTrump, plays with his war toys because what else is there for him to do in that isolated country? daTrump plays with himself on a world stage because his silver spoon riches affords him the most lavishing dinners known to man. He still and will always chase his tail looking for the most wonderful legacy ever.

h88:
There's certainly been some word coming out of the dod/pentagon that they are looking heavily at a preemptive strike.

sd:
It all boils down to our US military presence in several areas of the globe that has several countries ready to spit. Our presence at or near the Korean Peninsula has NKorea itching to throw a punch at us.

I almost forgot to mention this as well. China. China hasn't moved to assist us with NKorea because of our military presence and activities at the Korean Peninsula AND the dispute taking place in the South China Sea.

Now that Russia sanctions are being put into place we can expect additional movement by Russia that'll rattle our dod/pentagon guys. 

A spark with NKorea, and, or Iran could ignite the big one ahead with China and Russia.

[A159]

After more sanctions by the West, it obviously ticked Kid Un off!! If he keeps this up, Trump won't ask Un to the prom. KaBoom!!


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/n-korea-threatens-to-sink-japan-reduce-us-to-ashes-and-darkness/ar-AArUbuR?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
N. Korea threatens to 'sink' Japan, reduce U.S. to 'ashes and darkness'