So they figured out how to launch a missile really far, and a lot sooner than even I thought they could.
Oh, and its breaking that they did it with help from Ukraine, possibly via Russia.
This is going to get real bad, real quick.

 

It always had to be with the aid of Russia or China, that country is way to 3rd world to get anything done on it's own.

 

And China has always felt like they're between a rock and a hard place with NK.

Russia really wants to watch the world crash and burn it seems... I have zero confidence that this administration will take the high road against NK, and will match their rhetoric the rest of the way. Probably starting WWIII. What a scary time we're living in. 

The president quite possibly conspired with a foreign power to win his election. He's waged war against the media, cut off immigrants on the basis of religion, surrounded himself with yes men and dodged attempts to look into his tax payment history. This is the US president I'm talking about.

 

Seems like we don't have the same moral high ground we had to go around picking which despots we're going to isolate based on infractions of liberal ideals. Perhaps its time to take a more pragmatic approach to these countries.

 

Russia really wants to watch the world crash and burn it seems... I have zero confidence that this administration will take the high road against NK, and will match their rhetoric the rest of the way. Probably starting WWIII. What a scary time we're living in. 

 

If bombs start flying, I'd bet China turns Switzerland and stays out of it except to take in refugees. 

 

Russia no doubt would help fund NK but I'd bet they wouldn't engage. I'd guess it would be some kind of coalition between the US, Japan and South Korea. Maybe some allies add some token assistance, but probably only if NK throws the first punch.

 

Not that I'm a political or military expert. But I am trying to teach my 7-year-old Risk.

If bombs start flying, I'd bet China turns Switzerland and stays out of it except to take in refugees.

 

Russia no doubt would help fund NK but I'd bet they wouldn't engage. I'd guess it would be some kind of coalition between the US, Japan and South Korea. Maybe some allies add some token assistance, but probably only if NK throws the first punch.

 

Not that I'm a political or military expert. But I am trying to teach my 7-year-old Risk.

If bombs start flying, anyone who gives NK any support, no matter how minor, is committing a direct act of war against us, IMO.

This is not a philosophical difference like Vietnam, or Afghanistan (80's version).

 

This is a murderous, tyrannical, terroristic, oppressive regime, with zero redeeming qualities.

There should be a clear line against anyone offering any support to NK if actual war breaks out, IMO.

 

This is a murderous, tyrannical, terroristic, oppressive regime, with zero redeeming qualities.

Well, yes, but we still may have some allies left, anyway.

The president quite possibly conspired with a foreign power to win his election. He's waged war against the media, cut off immigrants on the basis of religion, surrounded himself with yes men and dodged attempts to look into his tax payment history. This is the US president I'm talking about.

 

Seems like we don't have the same moral high ground we had to go around picking which despots we're going to isolate based on infractions of liberal ideals. Perhaps its time to take a more pragmatic approach to these countries.

You're not suggesting that's what he's doing........are you?

Or are you just taking a shot at liberals?

 

You're not suggesting that's what he's doing........are you?
Or are you just taking a shot at liberals?

Liberal in the historical sense. NK being a monarchy basically, with few civil liberties, etc. Not every country needs to be a liberal democracy to do business with as far as I'm concerned.

China is far from a liberal democracy but its a lot better than it used to be. The reason, I believe, is the rise of its middle class, which occurred over the past 4 - 1/2 decades after Nixon formalized relations. Before then we viewed Taiwan as the true government. The situation in Korea looks similar I think.