UN ambassador Nikki Haley says ‘enough is enough’ after North Korea’s sixth and largest nuclear test, and that Kim Jong-un is ‘begging for war’.
Please consider Haley Asks UN to Impose ‘Strongest Possible’ Measures on North Korea.
Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said on Monday it was time for the UN security council to impose “the strongest possible measures” on North Korea over its sixth and largest nuclear test because “enough is enough”.
Haley said the incremental sanctions approach of the 15-member council to North Korea since 2006 had not worked and she described North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as “begging for war”.
And she rejected as “insulting” a Chinese proposal for a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean annual military drills.
The US ambassador did not spell out what measures Washington would support, but diplomats have indicated that an oil embargo would have a crippling effect on the North Korean economy.
Russia backs China’s proposal for a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korea military drills.
The council has imposed seven sets of sanctions on North Korea since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006, but Pyongyang has repeatedly found ways to circumvent the measures.
The most recent resolutions, however, have significantly toughened the sanctions, targeting key exports sectors such as coal that are a source of hard currency for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s regime.
South Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles in Simulated Attack on North Korea – Video
Idle Threats
Here’s another idle threat from Trump.
China is North Korea’s largest trading partner. Is the US going to stop trading with China? The question has a quick answer: “No”.
Of course, sanctions do not work in the first place.
Japan History Lesson
Patrick J. Buchanan asks and answers the question: Why Did Japan Attack Us?
To understand why Japan lashed out, we must go back to World War I. Japan had been our ally. But when she tried to collect her share of the booty at Versailles, she ran into an obdurate Woodrow Wilson.
Wilson rejected Japan’s claim to German concessions in Shantung, home of Confucius, which Japan had captured at a price in blood.
In 1921, at the Washington Naval Conference, the United States pressured the British to end their 20-year alliance with Japan. By appeasing the Americans, the British enraged and alienated a proud nation that had been a loyal friend.
Japan was now isolated, with Stalin’s brooding empire to the north, a rising China to the east and, to the south, Western imperial powers that detested and distrusted her.
When civil war broke out in China, Japan in 1931 occupied Manchuria as a buffer state. This was the way the Europeans had collected their empires. Yet, the West was “shocked, shocked” that Japan would embark upon a course of “aggression.” Said one Japanese diplomat, “Just when we learn how to play poker, they change the game to bridge.”
After Hitler invaded Russia in June 1941, Japan moved into southern Indochina. FDR ordered all Japanese assets frozen.
But FDR did not want to cut off oil. As he told his Cabinet on July 18, an embargo meant war, for that would force oil-starved Japan to seize the oil fields of the Dutch East Indies. But a State Department lawyer named Dean Acheson drew up the sanctions in such a way as to block any Japanese purchases of U.S. oil. By the time FDR found out, in September, he could not back down.
Facing a choice between death of the empire or fighting for its life, Japan decided to seize the oil fields of the Indies. And the only force capable of interfering was the U.S. fleet that FDR had conveniently moved from San Diego out to Honolulu.
And so Japan attacked.
Had FDR met Prince Konoye, there might have been no Pearl Harbor, no Pacific war, no Hiroshima, no Nagasaki, no Korea, no Vietnam. How many of our fathers and uncles, brothers and friends, might still be alive?
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.'” A few thoughts as the War Party pounds the drum for an all-out American war on Iraq and radical Islam.
Iraq History Lesson
On trumped up lies about weapons of mass destruction, the US invaded Iraq, removed Saddam Hussein, destabilizing the entire region. No WOMDs were discovered.
UK prime minister Tony Blair was part of the “coalition of the willing” in the attack on Iraq.
Blair now admits this directly led to the creation of ISIS. For discussion, please see Tony Blair’s Disingenuous, Self-Serving Analysis of Iraq.
Iran History Lesson
In 1953, the US sponsored a coup in Iran that deposed freely elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddeq. This ultimately led to the Iranian revolution and many subsequent feuds with the US.
In now declassified documents, the CIA admits role in 1953 Iranian coup.
How can anyone blame Iran for wanting to protect itself against an attack by the US in light of the 1953 coup and the mindless US devastation in Iraq?
North Korea History Lesson
If North Korea did not have a bomb, the US likely would have scorched North Korea already.
That’s the fourth history lesson.
Insulting?
Precisely what is insulting about the Chinese proposal that would “freeze North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean annual military drills”?
Only those seeking perpetual war should be insulted by the offer.
What’s Trump to Do?
Attacking North Korea could lead to retaliation against South Korea, with devastating consequences.
What’s the Solution?
For a discussion of the above Tweet, including many details of the South Korean economy, please see North Korea Explodes Hydrogen Bomb, Triggers 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake: What’s Trump to Do?
The best idea on the table is the “insulting” proposal by China to “freeze North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs in exchange for a suspension of US-South Korean annual military drills”.
It’s unclear that North Korea would go along.
Regardless, history strongly suggests war is not the answer and neither are sanctions. In fact, sanctions could cause North Korea to start a nuclear war.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
The answer is the the likes of Haley need to suit up and be one of the first in given she is so keen. Very easy to send others into battle when you are yours are safe at home.
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Nikki Haley is a complete airhead and neocon chickenhawk….She would probably point her weapons in the wrong direction.
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BREAKING NEWS:
AP enters corrections to UN news September 5, 2017 12:39 AM:
Kim Jong-Un ‘Begging for Whore’ Says US Ambassador to UN: What’s the Solution?
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Mish, what’s ‘insulting’ is that anyone would believe that the Norks would honor their end and truly freeze. They’ve never honored one of these freezes yet. Why do you believe that now they would?
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They might but even if not, Why does it matter?
I would even remove trade sanctions – They don’t work
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True. It also doesn’t matter because NK is not that important, but an attack on them, 6000 miles away, would result in millions dead, and the possibility of a nuclear exchange….
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It would matter because NK would then become a very scary nuclear power with thousands of H-bombs faster than anyone anticipated without the 20+ years of negotiations and sanctions, Nuking all parts of the ocean whenever NK was displeased at someone. Lets not forget, Kim killed family members because of his displeasure with them, and enslaved his own countrymen, countrywomen, and children while killing them whenever displeased with them.
Now, we have the very real threat of the forgotten sub they are preparing a nuke for. Do we sit idly by until we see sat off our shore line?
The story line of pearl harbor is too simplistic, Japan was on a very ambitious plan of taking most of southern Asia and threatening China at the time. A trade embargo was the favorable choice whilst fighting off the Nazi’s in Europe. IN the end, Japan decided to bomb Pearl Harbor. Now, Japan is one of our largest trading partners and an ally.
Somewhere along the line we learned that going to war is better than letting the threat extend its individual nations philosophy to another region of the globe and expanding it. Should we have let the nazi’s take Europe? Afterall, It had nothing to do with us. Out of this, someone developed nation building as possible means of developing rogue states and nations into a democratic society. It didnt work out so well as we extended it into creating lies to justify our actions of war.
Although our nation has been wrong in the past at times and seems to be the warmongering nation of the globe, no one can pretend that they know the political agenda of other nations. We are not given the intel that governments have to fully understand all its actions, good or bad. America will not simply sit by, that would be the worst crime of all. So, now we find ourselves here and America is to be blamed. OK, let some other country step up to the plate, or let NK go without sanctions. Lets see what happens. I guarantee you China has nothing to fear. NK with a H-bomb and China is not worried……..very telling in of itself. Likewise for Russia. I think It would be prudent to make sure everyone sees a presence next too its allies so that no one gets the idea, that anyone is going to have an easy time of it. Especially after someone built a man made island to contain or control Taiwan. There’s more going on than meets the immediate eye……America is a favorite bad boy of the globe, wait till China takes over…..unrest in that region will be high, especially when its borders begin to reach India…..whew!! what a mess that will be.
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What’s even stupider is to think the US will honor our end of any deal.
Look at what Trump is trying to do on the Iran deal (no matter what you think of it, the US signed on – we’re obligated in good faith to honor it).
And, of course, consider what we did to Gaddafi.
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NO. “We” did NOT give a Treaty to the Iranians. They knew damn well it would NOT be binding on the USA, our Congress told them clearly. OBAMA! knew it wouldn’t pass – and never sent it to the Ratifying Senate – under Constitutional directions. It was a farce – and they wanted it so bad they took it – and hoped.
That’s why we have the Constitution – follow it or take your chances of ‘it’ not being any good…..
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Right on, BillyBob. Like so many things Obummer did, it was not done properly, through congress that is, and we are not bound to it. However, we will not be getting the money back that Obummer sent them. The repubs are wimpy pussies for not challenging crap like that and so many others.
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We should
1) Let South Korea take the lead
2) stop the extremist language coming from Washington
3) Follow the successful model used against East Germany which was engagement peaceful and pragmatic. East German communism collapsed because of jeans, bananas, and rock n’ roll. Cheaper than bombs and more fun
5) Remove all US forces from South Korea
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The best thing for the US to do is to repeat the same thing over and over again until it works.
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Gut feeling is China get in there and sort NK out militarily. US appeased, no need for military action from them. China happy US doesn’t invade North.
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I’d love to see that happen, but I just don’t have the same gut feeling that you do. My gut says that we end up blinking, China is happy to see it’s puppet humble us, and we will end up having to pay Danegeld big time.
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Yes china will dampen NK’s aggressions. This last bomb test surprised the “dragon” . They are worried these experiments might go awry and have nuclear spillover effects . I have read China has radiation sensors along its border with NK. NK is playing with fire in china’s back yard.
Additionally i think we should send Nikki Haley to NK to remediate .
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Yes to Nikki! Love her. Giver her free rein re Fat Boy, and she’ll get things sorted out. Then, Nikki in 2020! After all, we’ve been told that it’s time for a woman potus.
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I say send Seth Rogen and James Franco. They have experience with this.
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That could only happen if the US agreed to pull out of South Korea, which the Deep State would never do….
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China hasn’t reacted in fear of NK’s new H-Bomb……a very telling sign. Russia is not fearing NK’s new H-bomb…..another telling sign. The Philippines has not expressed their fear of NK’s H-bomb although they have expressed that Kim is a fool but no real fear of a strike against them. I would not underestimate the super powers at play here. NK plays the perfect puppet, and perhaps just following orders……
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Buchanan seems to have conveniently forgotten about Japanese imperialism and atrocities well before there was WW2:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre
Then again, the leaders of the US should read “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu:
“6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare”.
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Yes, just so. But how was Japanese imperialism in China our problem? Oh yeah, the Rockafellars had commercial interests in China….
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The Japanese imperialism was pretty much ignored by the US until Pearl was attacked. Americans had commercial interests all over the globe, but the US was isolationist until Pearl. Sorry pyrrhus, your question is unapplicable in that case. Better you go read Smedley Butler’s tract about US intervention.
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I agree, but the true point is we have been lied too all to often by the deep state since George Washington stepped down from his presidency. Many have tried to get us back to our Constitution the most perfect blue print for peace and prosperity. Buchanons real point is remember how we got into every mess. Stop lying stop the jingoism talk. Demand proof this time. Or at the very least Drop the sanctions try peace first. And stop calling the man ( both)with their finger on the button a chicken ass .
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“6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare”.
Perhaps this is why NK has a new H-Bomb all of a sudden. Just following orders and playing the perfect puppet for a country who does not wish a prolonged war……lets get NK to do it.
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Why do we continue to bully all these countries? We have become such a belligerent country.
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The Deep State knows nothing else, and let’s be clear, the Deep State is running the Federal government of the United States of America.
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Bullies??? wouldn’t the US have already given NK the black eye already if that were the case?
I take it that you haven’t seen or heard of the man-made island that is located and designed to control Taiwan? Its great sitting back and pretending that you have nothing to do with it and you are not the one who started it. Perhaps NK is taking orders from a Super power or two? how on earth does one obtain an H-bomb on such short notice? The perfect puppet of all time…….
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korea does what is needed not to be toppled by ” democratic ” friends
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not a very diplomatic thing to say. he just wants a nuclear arsenal like everyone else who isnt a third world backwater.
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THAT is not diplomaric !!! it includes 95% of countries ( us is really exceptional)
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– The best way to defuse the tensions surrounding North Korea is to lift all sanctions that were imposed after the Korea war in the 1950s. But – alas – too the countries (Japan, South Korea, China, US, (Russia ???)) that are involved in the “crisis” don’t want those sanctions to be lifted for different reasons
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Mish, I read your posts regarding NK, including “What’s Trump To Do?” and the only solution you offer is not to be an armchair philosopher. I agree but what specifically would YOU do or specifically what should Trump do as NK escalates its nuclear capability? I read all your links and I missed specifics other than links that provide no specifics. I also notice in the comments section of your “What’s Trump To Do?” you replied to someone that much of the mess was created by the United States.
By the way, it is US regime change and nation building that created much of this mess.
If the US did not go about doing such things, countries would not need to protect themselves from US agression
Okay, then what could Trump do now wrt US aggression and war-mongering as the source of the NK problem, that would stop Kim from threatening Japan, SK and the US with nukes?
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I would accept China plan for the US to stop military exercises in return for halting missile tests
I would even remove trade sanctions as well
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As would I, it’s time we stop being bull shitters of the world. Screw the federal reserve and industrial war machine warmongers who think nothing of killing our kids and everybody else and their own kids.
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I think removing both entirely would create moral hazard, i.e. it would show that Kim has won and encourage other countries to accelerate their nuclear programmes.
A progressive de-escalation of military exercises over time and the gradual removal of trade sanctions would however be a far better option than intensifying the situation.
I agree entirely with your overall thesis that US regime change is the reason behind this situation. The US has to retire from its role as global policeman. The largely question is who/what will replace it. A playground dominated by one bully is a quieter playground than one with a number of bullies battling it out.
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There is more to this in that if the US backs down now it will be seen as a toothless tiger and that may be even more damaging.
There is no clean solution but attacking North Korea in overwhelming force, even using tactical nukes is probably the only workable solution no matter what the consequences.
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Agree.
Faster, please.
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” using tactical nukes is probably the only workable solution no matter what the consequences.”
The consequences are millions dead in South Korea in a few hours. I suppose that’s acceptable to you?
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Better to show shame and regret for all our sins under the symbol of our flag and the men and women we have left dead every where including in our own country for the federal reserve, Neo Cons Neo Crats republican and democrat parties alike. Demand truth demand absolute proof and remember we lied our way into this freakin mess.
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“If North Korea did not have a bomb, the US likely would have scorched North Korea already.”
NK successfully tested it’s first the nuclear bomb in 2006. We had the opportunity to “scorch” NK before that time. We didn’t. Only after NK went nuclear did their threats go viral. We’ve simply responded to their escalated threats.
Diplomacy is great. The problem is that diplomacy hasn’t worked with NK in the last 25 years. NK routinely violates the agreements. We send them money or grain – they allegedly suspend their nuclear program for 6 months – and then the threats start back up again. A vicious cycle. Meanwhile, their nuclear program has advanced to the point that it’s a threat to humanity.
No other nuclear nation makes threats to this degree. We have to take threat seriously. And we can’t be perpetually extorted. At some point a confrontation is inevitable.
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Couldn’t agree more. You said it better than I.
And, of course, the Iranians and other bad guys are watching this. They will draw the appropriate conclusions.
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Mish said, ” How can anyone blame Iran for wanting to protect itself against an attack by the US in light of the 1953 coup and the mindless US devastation in Iraq?”
Very poor history. GB was taking heavy advantage of Iran and their resources. The world was in the mist of a cold war, and facing those issues world wide. ( Korea included) The Islamic leaders were seeking to gain power in Iran. The US did two things to avoid another geopolitical fire outside the cold war. The U.S. forced the UK to make an equitable deal with Iranian resources, and instituted a political power that kept the radical Islamists at bay. The result was Iran’s economy boomed, the envy of the ME. Women went to schools and University, etc…
Then came along Jimmy C. The Islamists took over and destroyed the economy, murdered tens of thousands and began international games of terrorism.
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This happened in 1953 by the CIA
Don’t blame Carter
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Bang he’s dead!
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I blame Carter for allowing the Islamist to destroy all the benefits of the 53 solution.
Read my post again. BTW, the benefits were to Iran enabling them to properly profit from British development of Iranian resources.
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Ya’ll better read up on that 1953 Iran/CIA fiasco (it worked for a while). The reason the CIA destroyed the democratic nationalism in Iraq was because Iran wanted to be done with foreigners stealing their oil, and nationalize Iranian oil. So the coup worked until it blew up, and now it’s a disaster for US foreign policy. It’s the old unintended consequences thing.
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I would agree Better to show shame and regret for all our sins under the symbol of our flag and the men and women we have left dead every where including in our own country for the federal reserve, Neo Cons Neo Crats republican and democrat parties alike. Demand truth demand absolute proof and remember we lied our way into this freakin mess.
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what threat has NK made against the US ?
the norks have never said first strike
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Were USSR,China,UK,France,India,Paki and Israel begging for war when they developed their nukes?
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No to all of your list except for USSR.
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No surprise to find Saudi can acquire them quickly too via Pakistan.
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And if Iran and Pakistan chose to become a confederated nuclear state of 300M would that be begging for war?
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Have any of those nations you named routinely made direct threats to use their nuclear weapons against the US mainland or our territories?
If all your neighbors possessed firearms but only one threatened to use his against you – who would you pay attention to and take defensive action against?
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THERE ARE NO GOOD SOLUTIONS.
We only get to pick from TODAY’s situation. Yesteryear’s solutions don’t exist but in our history books.
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Amen Billy. No easy solutions to complex problems. Best case scenario? The US and China work together to defuse the situation. This needs to be done quietly, behind the scenes, out of the limelight. The US would have to make some concessions to China, probably less US military presence in the region. How to know if this is happening? Trump stops making insulting statements and tweets about China, North Korea, and even South Korea. I don’t know how you get him to keep quiet about it, after the deal is struck though.
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Anyone making a first strike nuclear attack will go down in history with Hitler and Stalin.
Meanwhile, the Chinese would be happy to see the US swing in the wind and be shown to be impotent although we can doubt they like NK with Hydrogen bombs and delivery methods.
This is the problem of being top dog and world policeman in a multi-polar nuclear world. There are no multinational bodies able to handle this if NK refuses to play ball.
????????
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A perfect example of where international co-operation is needed but needs to nurtured before being called upon to act. That “nurturing” hasn’t been a priority.
One misstep and WW3 is upon us. Get it right and there could be a framework developed to help in future cases too.
What would be very unhelpful is any side hoping to use this for someone national advancement outside of getting the fat little boy to disarm – think China.
It’s hard to imagine NK not having multiple H bombs soon and not deploying them around the country in case of attack. It’s only going to get more complicated.
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Here’s the deal. China and Russia are using Kim to destroy America’s Imperial Project. If the American Empire can’t stop Kim one way or another, it’s game over for the globalists and neocons. We will be pushed out Asia, our allies will see us for the useless paper tiger we are, and the American population will see the vast amounts of the money they’ve sacrificed to protect themselves and the world have left them totally defenseless against one of the smallest and poorest nations on earth.
That leaves us with two options: 1.) Slap massive sanction on China, thereby crashing the global economy followed by 2.) Annihilate N.Korea if option 1 doesn’t work or isn’t tried.
If we don’t do either of the above, as in the Empire Strikes Back, then we will be quickly relegated to fallen Empire status. The Dollar will no longer be the world’s reserve currency, we will pull back from our bases first in Asia then around the world and all of our previous allies will turn on us after they realized we’re unable and unwilling to guarantee their security like a good Empire should. China and Russia will have conspired in a brilliant plan to use Kim as their proxy to bring about our demise without firing a shot.
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Interesting hypothesis, Pin. I sure would not want to be the US president right now.
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Shocking! Chinese merchants quickly find ways to smuggle seafood out of NK, despite sanctions. The NK side demands payment in US dollars!
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2109193/fishy-side-chinas-ban-north-korean-imports
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Bottom line:
We can’t allow a rogue pipsqueak nation like NK to lead us into WW3.
This is what we pay the CIA for. Take Kim down internally. No need to fire a single missile.
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Is that a joke? You want the CIA to sort out a problem with their record? Have they not screwed up enough times for you to be terrified that they’ll “do something” in this instance.
Wow.
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Wow Indeed!
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Would you rather settle the problem with nuclear warfare?
Diplomacy hasn’t worked with NK for 25 years. What makes you think it’ll work now?
The CIA has actually had many successes. But if you don’t like the CIA – fine. There are other means to destabilize rogue governments. Economic sanctions are a great beginning.
You can’t negotiate with a tyrant. He’ll only take what you give him, wait a couple months then demand more. A vicious cycle. Haven’t you been paying attention?
Kim is like a grown child. Instead of holding his breath and turning blue he’s playing the nuke card. He’s a clown who rode in on his daddy’s coattails. I think he’s mentally unbalanced and would be quite capable of firing off a nuke toward the US if he had a delivery system capable of it. And sooner or later he will.
What’s your solution?
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My concern is that you think that CIA success in doing away with Kim is a foregone conclusion. I think the reality is that it would be a extremely tough assignment for them as the country is essentially closed to the outside world so the CIA would likely not even have an established apparatus there.
U.S. intervention has a high chance of failure and a very good chance that a vast amount of bloodshed occurs both north and south of the border (and God forbid, nuclear weapons are involved). Trump has made a terrible mistake of unleashing threats and his usual bombast as he’s now left with little choice but to follow through as he’ll look weak if he backs down.
China has a lot to lose given they are neighbours of the Norks — and they’ll be big losers too if the Norks attack the Sorks (global recession and its consequences). I say, back off and give the Chinese a crack at defusing the situation. Threatening them too is tantamount to sheer idiocy. Trump may have built some successful businesses through bullying and bombast but you can’t conduct diplomacy this way.
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What the hell, we let Henry Paulson tell us how the 2008 financial crisis was going to go down. It’s the equivalent of letting the CIA run our foreign relations policy.
Amazingly, people are okay with that!
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What is Trump to do?
Put a muzzle on Nikki Haley. Better yet, replace her with a grownup. The more Kim is threatened, the more he threatens back. Ain’t gonna happen though. Trump’s underworld bosses won’t let him.
NK is no threat to anybody. The real threat is from these daily doses of hobgoblins whipping up Americans into a feverish demand for war. WHEN that time comes, who will be president: Trump or Pence? Who will it be, NK, Syria, Iran, Russia, China or some other nation Americans never heard of?
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“NK is no threat to anybody.”
Sorry. I can’t take you seriously.
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I’ll make a prediction. After the NK threat fades away into the sunset, there’ll be another threat. Why am I so sure? Because the threats haven’t let up since the Cold War. In a second scenario, given Washington’s long history of invading non-threatening threatening [sic] nations, Kim has every reason to fear an attack from the west. NK doesn’t have a history of military aggression. But they sure as hell have a history of being aggressed.
If you pay attention to Washington’s geopolitical strategy, they’ve been surrounding Russia and China with military installations and missile bases. In the process, they’ve been cutting off trade agreements with Russian and China through sanctions. NK is on the hit list.
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Kim brings it on himself by shooting his mouth off. He’s the one making all the threats and firing ICBM’s over Japan.
To claim that he’s not a threat is absurd.
Now that NK has nukes Kim thinks he can toss his weight around and get whatever he wants. He’s a danger to world safety and appears to be psychologically unhinged. And as a dictator he has a lot more unilateral power and authority than most leaders.
Rabid dogs have to be taken out.
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Are you talking about Kim, or Trump? It’s hard to see the difference.
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Oh stop with your Trump hating.
This crisis got dropped in Trump’s lap because the 3 clowns who preceded him tucked their tails between their legs and refused to confront a growing aggressive threat that would eventually have the nuclear firepower to threaten humanity itself. Now that day has arrived.
Do you recommend that Trump continue to replay the insanity card by doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different outcome?
Obama is a much better comparative example of Kim than Trump. Obama illegally invaded 2 sovereign nations (Libya and Syria) and turned them into bloodbaths and havens for radical jihadist terrorist organizations. Obama makes Trump look like Little Lord Fauntleroy.
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“To claim that he’s not a threat is absurd.”
He’s not much in the way of a threat to most Americans.
He may serve as a useful tool for Russia and China to chip away at American hegemony in Asia. Which is nothing but an unconstitutional money pit anyway.
The NK regime, as well as China, Russia and the rest of the world, know full and well that anything resembling an NK attack of any magnitude on the US, will result in the absolute, unconditional end of all that has ever been North Korea. Seoul be damned. And China, too. So an attack won’t happen.
And that’s assuming NK has anything to attack anyone with. NK is a collapsing regime. Rendered irrelevant by the end of the Cold War. No fundamentally different than Castro’s Cuba. They _may_ have been taken under China’s wing in some limited sense, in order to be used as some sort of bargaining chip, or perhaps just bludgeon. Or perhaps the Russians may have some interest in keeping a wild card propped up. But neither China nor Russia is served by that regime having any kind of real and, importantly, _independent_ military capability. Which makes it highly doubtful NK actually has any. As I can’t imagine anyone else in a theoretical position to supply it (Pakistan or India…), getting anything of that nature past the Chinese. Or even risk getting caught trying, for that matter.
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” NK doesn’t have a history of military aggression. ”
Wow, you are unusually ignorant of history, Spirit. Are you spouting propaganda, or are you interested in facts? Here is your history lesson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War
Notice the part: 25 June 1950 – North Korea invaded South Korea.
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I was discounting the Korean War. The Wiki reference tells us that NK did not invade the south on its own. It had open support from China and the Soviet Union. That does not appear to be the case today. Washington is trying to fan those fears.
Context is important. By that logic, then we have reason to fear Germany, Italy and Japan too. Personally, I believe we have more to fear from Washington than any other government.
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At least this is “bullish for stocks”.
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LMAO, yes!
It certainly seems like it.
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“’For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’A few thoughts as the War Party pounds the drum for an all-out American war on Iraq and radical Islam.” Now let’s see, the War Party: Woodrow Wilson, F.D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, L.B. Johnson? Democrats are the War Party with a little help from their Republican friends the Bushs, right? I just don’t want the wrong aspersions to be cast accidentally, please.
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“What’s the Solution?”
TURN DOWN the POINTLESS HYPE and IGNORE HIM!
He IS NOT going to make first use of his missiles of nukes. They exist as a life preserver for him, a protection from externally forced “regime change.” WHY do you think he’s pictured as so insanely happy after each successful test, laughing and hugging people. It’s his “life extension” policy.
Any first use of his missiles or nukes would mean his CERTAIN death which is exactly counter to their intended utility.
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seems to look like nk backed us into our own corner. they”ve won the chess game so far. perfect setup for the usa to look like the aggressive nation that we’ve become.
It’s halftime. lets see which coach makes the correct adjustments.
scary game.
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North Korea is playing things brilliantly. By threatening Seoul with immediate annihilation with conventional weapons they have effectively neutralized any military action against them while they embark on a program to develop nuke weapons and launch vehicles with intercontinental range.
Once North Korea has effective ICBM capabilities they can then raise their blackmail menage to an even higher degree. Saddam and the Iranians never had it this good. With ICBMs in their arsenal North Korea can pretty much demand tribute from the world for decades to come.
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Yup. Wouldn’t surprise me if Kimee manages to unify Korea without frying a ton of kimchee in the process.
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There is only one way out and even that is fraught with a NK nuke event. China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea have to agree to jointly dismantle North Korea. The US, as an obvious partner, has to agree to leave the new united Korea permanently.
Without boots on the ground, bombing North Korea will not end the madness. All the joint powers have to agree that the new united Korea becomes a non aligned country in the family of nations.
Russian and China comes in with boots while the US runs a bombing campaign to protect South Korea. The country unites, the powers leave and the people are free. A new prosperous non aligned nation is born.
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And WHY would China want that?
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They don’t. China wants NK as a buffer against US influence in the region. They would not agree to a united Korea. They know the outcome of this scenario.
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YEP!
NoK IS the buffer against China’s border that they want to stay – whoever is the latest Leader.
They cannot be happy with ANY ‘Re-Unification” talk…..’cause unless done with military force to keep the ChiCom’s in charge….the ‘Reunification will be with at least semi-democratic and more-or-less free society. China does NOT want that.
Would we be happy about China or Russia and their satellite government moving into Mexico or Canada?
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Exactly.
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Same deal we promised Russia when the Soviet Union fell. No expansion of NATO.
Then we double crossed them and expanded it right up to their border. Now we are on the verge of war with them, expanding bases, installing missiles and conducing mock invasions of the their territory.
How stupid do the Chinese look?
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The Chinese are brilliant strategists. Even they are struggling with this problem since the US keeps ratcheting up the rhetoric. Plus they keep insulting the Chinese publicly, making it difficult for them to work together.
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Tighten the sanctions noose enough and Kousin Kimee may have to peddle some of his nukes to raise cash…
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THAT ‘peddling’ is EXACTLY the scariest and unpredictable part……Little Fat Boy KNOWS he will lose everything if he tries to light us up. A non-state actor doesn’t have THAT problem. He WILL sell these things if he wants the big money they will bring….
And delivery? Eazy-peazy in any of a gazillion ships that come our way every day…..
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damn that FDR! He cause WW2, Korea AND Viet Nam! If only he met Prince Konoye! Warmonger!
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FDR one of the worst presidents in US history
He burned crops, confiscated gold
Should have been sent to prison
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Don’t forget about the Delano side of the family and their history of opium smuggling in China. With a background like that, the Japanese must’ve figured FDR would never have the nerve to scold them over their aggression in China since his family was just as awful.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delano_family
This FDR fellow is a revered figure of the Democrat Party, I only mention it for the benefit of the overseas readership of Mish’s blog to appreciate how screwed up the backstory is to the US-China relationship.
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Disappropriated and incarcerated US citizens en masse without due process.
Was stymied by the US Supreme Court on his unconstitutional economic programs so his plan was to appoint six more sympathetic justices to the Court.
Turned away the St. Louis with its hundreds of Jewish passengers to return to certain death in Nazi camps.
Prolonged the Great Depression by at least five years.
I’m certain I left a few things out. In his defense, he understood the threat of public unions. A broken clock is right twice a day too.
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– FDR brought the US out of the depression with a program called “World War 2”. By leveraging up in combination with rationing allowed the private sector to deleverage. That was laying the basis for the post WW II recovery.
Source: Steve Keen.
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also don’t forget FDR’s daddy was a bootlegger, and FDR handed Stalin eastern europe on a silver platter. His administration was full of commies; Stalin read some of the Top Secret papers before Franklin did. When Hoover tried to warn him about the spies, Franklin ignored him. I guess he was more concerned about German and Japanese spies at the time.
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why does a military solution have to mean attacking them on the mainland. it could simply shooting down their missiles, or stopping their ships at sea, or putting nuclear missiles back in South Korea. The United States and China need start thinking in terms of the cold war and the old world order. This doesn’t mean we start a cold war,but it does mean that the big boys China and The United States seriously sit down and negotiate. if the United States were to threaten to put nuclear missiles back on the peninsula and were to shoot down or attempt to shoot down north korean missiles it would get china’s attention. No way China wants more U.S. presence there.
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Scott Adams had a sample fix to this, last July.
http://blog.dilbert.com/post/162632490866/solving-the-north-korea-situation
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Intriguing, but the lunatics, who seem to be in key positions, are not interested in peaceful solutions.
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The only hope is that cooler heads prevail, but it looks as if the lunatics are in charge of the asylum…again! If Buchanan’s synopsis is correct re Acheson manoeuvring FDR to an act of war, then Haley (or her speechwriter) just did the same to Trump. Acheson, Yale man, member of Scroll & Key, father-in-law to William Bundy (Yale, The Order). Henry Stimson (Yale, The Order), Woodrow Wilson’s Secretary of War AND FDR’s Secretary of War, urged for dropping of bomb on Hiroshima. These war-mongers’ descendants scent another great opportunity here to create chaos by pitting 2 or more adversaries against each other. They are not on anybody’s side but their own. They give useful idiots like Haley their marching orders. Any “solution” that involves creating chaos plays into their hands. They don’t care about the people in S Korea, Japan, China, Russia, the US.
I agree with Mish’s proposal, but it will only put matters off. The lunatics will still be plotting like mad to create chaos and disaster. Then they swoop in and make out like bandits: a strategy with a long history. Assuming Trump isn’t insane like them, the question is can he out-manoeuvre them? And for how long?
May peace prevail.
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Jesus Christ ! You bet they have to sit down and think going to war. The federal Reserve, the Neo Cons and Neo Crats democrsts and republicans all the political parties have lied to all Americans since the day General George Washington stepped down from office.
Weapons of mass destruction my ass. After 9-11 the Iraq war, let alone Japan and let’s not forget the biggest hoax on America, and the world 6,000,000 million Jews. Research it on the Biblical Institute. Research the freakin cause of the civil war, a dam tax on cotton that was supposed to end after the war in 1812, but didn’t and stranglulated North Carolina just like North Korea , Japan, the Soviet Union and Now Russia, Iran. Wake up people. Are interest are not aligned with these warmongers they are going to kill our children and someone else’s children. It will never stop until we stop the Federal Reserve, the Neo Crats and the Neo Cons, both
Democrats and Republican Parties all of them have to be handcuffed and led out of power. The Constitution, the blue print to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Needs to be adhered to instrict accordance. Protect our borders yes, but no wars in foreign lands. Make government work for We the People again. Not special interest and certainly not for politicians or federal reserve or the Industrial war machine.
In God we must Trust. Take the time to demand the Truth this time.
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BTW the “Civil War” is misnamed. In a civil war, 2 sides want to take over the government. In our war from 1861-65 the south only wanted to leave the US government, which may actually have been constitutional. But it would have destroyed America and Lincoln would not allow it. Lincoln did not believe negroes to be equal to white people but he used emancipation to invigorate enthusiasm to fight the war. If you do not believe me, read his quotes.
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“The Civil War or War from States Cessation”
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Perhaps you might care to read immancipation proclamation!
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“Kim Jong Un begging for war.” Revealing statement, given that a SOP of these lunatics is to accuse others of what they themselves are doing or have done. (An Alinsky tactic? HRC uses it a lot.)
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Kim wants to keep his little empire, let him have it, stop talking regime change, for once see things in others’ perspectives too besides chest (or breasts in her case) beating in a talkshop like the UN. That would be the end of this round, and who cares if there will be another round, Kim has only ever fired a few artillery shells on some remote South Korean isles, how is that more aggressive than Japan and South Korea saber rattling over a few rocks ? So why is the Kospi and Korean won going higher with each round of “tension- raising”? Because South Koreans know that it will accelerate the road to re-unification on their terms if Kim was bombed to pieces by unca sam. The South Koreans would gladly take reunification on its own terms. Only problem, North and South, they are by nature the same people – for centuries Koreans have wanted China to spill blood and money to protect it from the Japanese pirates, and now Americans will happily bear this burden to protect Koreans from self-destroying? Let them sort it out themselves. So why are Americans so dumb walking into another war> Of course they are not! Its in the benefit of the war mongers in Congress, the arms dealers who support the election campaigns, and who pay the adverts in the MSM, and the MSM will sell more newspapers, the bankers will salivate at lending more money to the warring countries. So unfortunately war it will be, maybe not today but surely one day. Americans are asking for it themselves by letting their politicians talk them into another war, and that’s all there is to it. Each and every time. That is how empires come to an end – the vested interests of the minority control the destiny of the masses.
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– China has issued a very clear statement some weeks ago: If the US attacks North Korea then China will help North Korea, if North Korea launches a military attack then China will remain neutral.
– The US ambassador – this year called Nikky Haley – receives her orders from the folks in Washington DC. In other words, this is not her own opinion.
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– And the nutcase called John Bolton is calling again for “Regime change”
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For more infos, read this article
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/47742.htm
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Why is the US even interested in North Korea?
Because its a bellicose dictatorship and like many others creates an external enemy/ supposed aggressor to enable domestic martial law and internal control. The calculus of this has led North Korea to escalate to the point of creating nuke bombs and ICBMs while still threatening the US.
But I think they have miscalculated the US position and what is primarily a domestic North Korean driven agenda may drastically backfire on them.
http://strategicmacro.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/north-koreas-miscalculation.html
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Reblogged this on World Peace Forum.
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Prior to the end of WWI in Nov 2018, US+Japan+few other nations, in Aug 2018 invaded Bolshevik Russia from Siberia.
The invasion originated in the east, in Siberia and moved west.
Japan was the last to send their troops back home.
They stayed the longest and occupied half of Siberia.
They retreated in order to do something more attractive : dominate the trade in the pacific. They also dominated the sea lanes in the pacific. They became a pacific empire.
Two nations didn’t like Japan : US & USSR.
Japan acquired two very powerful adversaries.
When those two became ally, Japan was in troubles.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was inspired by the British aircraft carrier attacking
the powerful Italian navy in Taranto in Nov 1940.
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