By Charles Armstrong, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Charles Armstrong is the director of the Center for Korean Research at Columbia University. The views expressed are his own.
Anyone who has followed North Korean affairs for the last several years (or the last two decades) could have predicted North Korea’s defiant response to the U.N. Security Council resolution this week condemning North Korea’s rocket launch last December and strengthening international sanctions against Pyongyang. But it should also be clear by now that while carrots only occasionally deter North Korea’s provocative behavior, sticks – whether in the form of sanctions or threats of military action – only make North Korea defiant and more bellicose.
In 1994, the first time the United States proposed taking the North Korean nuclear question to the United Nations, North Korea announced that any impositions of U.N. sanctions would be considered “an act of war.” In 2006, and again in 2009, North Korea responded to U.N. sanctions not by giving up missiles and nukes, but ratcheting up the rhetoric. In the past, promises of security and economic aid have persuaded Pyongyang to freeze or reduce its missile and nuclear programs: North Korea halted its plutonium program for eight years following an agreement with the United States in 1994, adhered to a voluntary moratorium on missile tests from 1998 to 2006, and shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor in 2007 as part of a multilateral agreement. The record may not be terribly encouraging, but carrots do occasionally work.
Much has been made of the fact that North Korea this week directed its threats specifically against the United States (before issuing a warning to South Korea earlier today), calling America its “sworn enemy” and claiming that its would “target” the United States with its weapons. But this too is nothing new. North Korea has for years denounced America’s “hostile policy” toward Pyongyang and has long insisted that its nuclear program is designed to defend the country against an American attack. North Korea’s ability to strike American territory with missiles is questionable, and North Korea almost certainly lacks the technological capability to mount a nuclear weapon on a missile. Neither side is willing to back down, but threats and sanctions are unlikely to resolve the key issues dividing them.
More from GPS: North Korean dance begins again
For the past year, the North Korean regime has been focused on internal power consolidation under the leadership of Kim Jong Un. Part of Kim’s legitimacy rests on claims of a robust national defense, including nuclear weapons. North Korea seems determined to be recognized as a nuclear power, something the United States and other countries have said repeatedly is unacceptable. But it seems there is little anyone can do to prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear program, including conducting a third nuclear tests (after the ones in 2006 and 2009) in the coming weeks or months. The latest sanctions announced by the United Nations may look robust on paper, but without enforcement – above all by China, North Korea’s most important economic partner – sanctions have no teeth. So far, Chinese enforcement of U.N. sanctions has been tepid at best, as China prefers to keep North Korea economically viable rather than risk instability on its border.
Kim Jong Un has also talked about improving North Korea’s moribund economy and hinted that he would move the country in the direction of reform and opening. Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s visit to Pyongyang earlier this month could point the way for North Korea to come out of its shell and join the global economy. The visit was criticized by the U.S. State Department, and doesn’t seem to have produced anything of significance so far. But the very fact that North Korea allowed the visit suggests Kim Jong Un is interested in bringing modern technology to his country, to improve the state of the North Korea economy through connections with the outside world.
The dilemma, though, is that North Korea can only embark on serious reform from a condition of what it considers absolute security, in which neither the leadership nor the country as a whole is threatened by hostile outside forces. Unfortunately, the quest for security and the desire for economic improvement have been in contradiction for some time. A genuine opening could unleash political and social changes that threaten the legitimacy and stability of the regime, while the path of security through nuclear deterrence and missiles have led time and again to confrontation and renewed isolation.
So, where do we go from here? The United States and the United Nations have little choice but to impose sanctions in response to North Korea’s actions, which clearly violate earlier sanction conditions. But it is hard to see how such sanctions can deter a determined and defiant North Korea, especially if the sanctions are not rigorously enforced. The best we can hope for is that the latest confrontation will finally bring all sides together – including both Koreas, the United States, China, Russia, and Japan – to solve this issue.
Diplomacy, not threats or sanctions – and certainly not military action – is the only viable path to resolution.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Because, NK has a ball(Nuke).
"Sticks and bones can not hurt me, but WORDS can"?
The current World is very divided than ever before. It will continue to be more divided.
Why?
1)...leftover bruises ......
2)...no trust among US......
3)...Christianity got attacked by
4)...the rise of Muslim, Jewish, ethicisms,...causes the fall of Christianity.....
5)...Christians are split.....
personality cult = must save face x infinity
carrot = yeah, alright, I'll let you this once
stick = yeah? so's your mother
You do realize that Judaism came before Christianity, right? Also, Judaism really isn't a threat to Christianity. If anything, history showed that "Christians" were a threat to Jews.
But Jewish killed Jesus.
I believe it was CHRIST who was murdered by Jews ..not the other way around ...and before he died he asked God to forgive them(JEWS) so get your story straight.
And now peacefull muslims are out to kill everyone in the name of Allah,..go figure...Just another peacefull religion
wanting only global domination....
Catholic Church has long dismissed a fairy tale that Jews killed Jesus, the Romans did. All the rabbis did was tell the Romans – we don't care about this guy who calls himself King of the Jews, so do with him as you please.
Jesus was a Jew
So were ALL of his disciples
Yes, some Jews were threatened, the legalistic ones, the fundamentalist ones (sound familiar?) The threatened ones convinced the Romans that Jesus was a political threat. Judas thought he was helping to bring about a revolution by what he did.
You do realize there is no evidence Jesus actually existed....
i think that school lunch should be free in america because in this ecomny lots of people can not afford there kid to buy lunch and you may think the soultion is pack lunch but if you can not aford $2.50 aday what would you put in your kids lunch box. plus study shows that if kids are not full with food in there tummys then they do not do good in school . plus its not just going to afect us AMERICA !!!! IT WILL AFFECT OUR NEXT GENERATION
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?”
Epicurus (ancient Greek philosopher)
100% agree man! All we've seen in recent year is relentless attacks by all including the USA and even UK on Christianity, a faith of tolerance , replaced by islamist Fascism. All I hope is that someone has their finger on the self-destruct button once your local church becomes a mosque. It's easy JUST PRESS THE BUTTON! No one wants to live in 7th century slavery with no prospects for humanity!
I think most Christians were lost to Atheism/Agnosticism rather than any other religious ethos. There are several reasons why they left the church; priests stealing money, global molestation charges, their war on scientific progress. Christian church (along with many other religions) presently show A LOT of faith with a distinct lack of reason... People believe they can have reason and faith, so they leave your church.
have u read or heard about the true islam? the best 4 u if only u know
"Christianity, a faith of tolerance "
Are you really serious!?!
Fall of the western roman empire, 100's of years of technological darkness, the inquisition, 13 crusades, annihilation of the myans and death/destruction of %95 of all other American natives, heck we'll even add WWII for good measure. What's the estimated death toll from Christianity?
Christianity is the most destructive religion in human history, there is no tolerance nor diversity and humanity will not truly evolve until it has rid itself of ignorant religions.....
the only threat to Christianity are the Muslims. Period.
The greatest threat to humanity was Nazism and Islamism, we got rid of the Nazis.
Muslims are a threat to any one who isn`t a Muslim
I disagree. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all closely related, all three are Western religions. Christianity and Islam both feature Jesus. These religions should not be at odds. It's only the extremist followers who can be at odds. Don't make the mistake of hatred and ignorance. Don't fall back into the Crusades. It's just wrong. Educate yourself.
Carrot would not work either. Mirror-imaging these narcissistic Daleks would be a big mistake!
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are all the same story... quit pitting them against each other, they should be used to see comparisons and promote unity
TRUE, and they even worship the same Holy places in Jerusalem, the exact same places, the same stories, they are family. And, like family, they hate each other!
A BIG TREE HAS ROOTS GOING DEEEP DOWN.....TO FETCHWATER....IF DIVERTING THE WATERS.....IT WILL GO DRY....AND BE USED FOR FUEL......DO NOT LOOK AT THE SIZE....JUST CHECK THE SPRINGS THAT FEED IT.
I suggest professional help
Have you lost your mind? I hope you understand Judaism came around 1500 BCE and Christianity around 150 BC. There is a huge gap between the two religions. Get your facts straight before trying something online. Also not to mention Christianity and Muslims have been the only threat to other religions thanks to their "Crusades" and "JIhad" excuses to kill someone.
This website is not working
Does it matter? CNN has been a joke for the last decade.
This article is an excellent example. The USA has not taken a 'stick' to the Noeks since Truman whimped out in '51.
Send a B-2 in to flaten their ICBM test site. See what happens.
As a point of fact, the USA is STILL at war with North Korea. We have a TRUCE in place with them. They have given lots of reason to give 24 hour notice that the truce is over and we are goibng back to war with them. Then you send in the B-2. Bone what is left of their ICBM test site just to make the point that we are tired of foolin around. Rub theoir face into just how weak they are. Kim will figure out quick enough that he is helpless. Let him crawl into his bunker while we play wack-a-nut with him. Now that is a stick.
Sanctions are NOT a stck. They are a joke.
Cuba has been under 'sanctions' for over 50 years. Castro still gets a laugh out of it.
Get real, toumanbag. If Truman was a "wimp" like you said, then why did he get us into Korea in the first place? And as for firing Gen. McArthur, he did so because of the 1949 Sino-Soviet Treaty similar to the of the 1949 NATO Treaty. It stated that an attack on one would incur war with the other since the Russians already came up with it's own atomic in 1949. In fact, Truman would have liked nothing better than to give McArthur his way!
The US should involve some European countries to engage themselves more with North Korea. The US could persuade Switzerland to invite Kim Jong Un for a visit. He had gone to school near Bern as a teenager. France and Germany could also be on his list. His wife would no doubt want to see Paris and shop there. Perhaps soft power might do more magic than belligerence.
Stupidity, we actually think these people care what we do in relation to sactions. I`ve always said when taking about this Government its "CLOWNS TO THE LEFT AND JOKERS TO THE RIGHT". Nobody id gonna do anuthing so at this pont I would concern myself with this country, and the problems we have here and have had for a long time and quit focusing on other countries its non of out Business !
Ah, yes sen in the B-2 and wipe their nuke site and "see what happens"... As if neighbors and allies China and Russia would just stand by with fear... we would be technically waging war with China, to say the least.
you get real. North Korea is our problem right now and we must deal with it. No more threats being taken lightly
Tell it to start working or its fired!!!
Apparently neither do scissors and diets!!!!!! Hahahahahahahaha
Lil Dong One is compensating for something. Hahahahahahha
More stupidity out of Washington D.C. Maybe if we tried to negotiate with the North Koreans instead of threatening them, we might even get somewhere. All this antagonism is getting us nowhere, but you can't tell those idiots in Washington that!
What, exactly, would we be negotiating? The US doesn't negotiate with people who threaten us. Why don't you go try to pat the little fella on his head and tell him were nice, that will change everything.
We are that intelligent to figure that out . Yes, talking and attempting to do something constructive might help. They say they would like to negotiate with the US directly. Whats wrong with that if it accomplishes something in a positive way. Who cares if this allows them to "crow". Thats their problem, we just want to prevent them from doing something thats not in anybody`s interest. But, thats Obama he is a "house n******r period
you are a racist idiot.
There's nothing to negotiate. If anything, we've been far too mice to them over the years. Every time there's a famine, WE (and not even China) step in to feed them. By now it should be obvious that they're just playing to our weaknesses. We've tried for decades to be the adult, but N. Korea and China continue to insist on these ridiculous games, while millions die.
Toumanbag is right. We should have let McArthur demolish the place...then there wouldn't have been a Maoist China to deal with either. I doubt the Sovietskis and their handful of bombs (deliverable by long range bomber only) would have stepped in to save the neck of anyone else. Instead, we let the cancer spread...appeasement never works.
We were in no position to destroy China and North Korea then, and we are not now. Back in the day, China would have bogged us down with their many soldiers and Soviet weapons; regardless of how well we did in North Korea. Today, North Korea is a fortress nation, with any resolution ending with massive casualties and annihilation of the infrastructure.
It amazes me how little people like you know, you think all that was stopping us was a lack of will; when the full picture is much larger.
No negotiation with someone that has only one goal in mind: "how to defeat Americans". Koreans use "South Korean" businesses to penetrate the Western countries, incl. USA. If we not stop South Korean businesses (hyundai, kia, samsung, daewoo, ssangyong, secret satellites, ...), than we cannot successfully defend USA. Not blocking Koreans would mean failing-future for Western countries.
moron
The west has already failed on every level u FkN Tw@T , and GOOD!!!!!
We have made agreements in the past with N.K. and they were simply not honored by N.K. They have no intention to cooperate for any reason. Nobody should believe that we can play nice with them because we tried that and achieved nothing.
How many years of negotiations before it is time to do something concrete? Wait for North Korea to have better nuclear capabilities?
It's been tried many times.
You must understand the asian mindset. They only understand fear and force. Negotiation means weakness and opportunity to them. They push when they know they can receive by pushing.
We should have been tough for the last 50 years then it would already be a done deal. Also China can be a big player if you tell China outright, do business with us or them, not both. If CHina believes it they will act but they have no reason to believe. In fact asians have every reason to laugh at us.
Negotiation has already been tried several times with North Korea. The Military Leaders of that country have a Maniacal mind set just as they did during the Korean War. Nothing has change since then except now they have Nukes. The Korean war was just another failed attempt by US Political Leaders to finish what they started and how many times since has this reoccurred AH!! Vietnam, Iran, Afganistan. I wonder who`s next, Iran, North Korea probably not likely. The US can`t afford any more Wars, It is Financially Broke
Where do we want to go?
Just like an unruly child a parent is better off giving that child a butt beating when words just don't cut it. Of course most of you liberals don't believe in that either thats why your kids suck so much at everything.
Last time you were in NK to kick butts, the Chinese kicked you in the b*ll. Do you really want to try again ?
China was only able to do that because we were fighting with our hands tied behind our backs by "political concerns". Lesson from WWII: go in with all guns blazing or expect to lose. From Korea onward, we've lost every major conflict at the strategic level because Washington can only approve of half-measures (expect on spending, they do that at full throttle). McAthur was going to nuke the Chinese hordes and once and for all END the Communist rule. He had the opportunity, was ready to do it, and was overruled by a fool.
PJ – you are just a moron conserva-derp with his head in the methane zone. an ignorant little boy who loves to sniff his own ass. you are just a derp head. go stand in a corner until you sot being a conserva-derp.
Wow! Your premise based solely on ad hominem attacks sure outweighs his facts and logic. Well done, libby.
It's funny you believe liberals suck at everything, especially since they tend to be better educated.
another brainwashed GOP idiot ! amazing how this ignorance propagates among the uneducated .
That's what the Chinese said when the pushed the USA of the Peninsula during the Korean war
Some of the most mindless questions put forward by CNN editors again.
over 50 years of sanctions, brutal repression by the lineage leaders, brutal mass murder of political members, and over half a million death through starvation.....
And this is all CNN can come up with?
This is another example that the civilized world do not understand the pathetic, uncivilized, brutal nature, psyche, and mental polarisation by these kind of regimes, including the pure evil islamic cults.
It's the failure of the civilized world to try to treat them and negotiate in a civilized way.
Another example that far advanced and ciivilized minds cannot cope with uncivilized minds. That is why if history has taught us anything, that uncivilised minds win because they only have 1 direction without conscience dictating action.
Awesome,someone with a brain
Kinda interested in seeing how China reacts when a nuclear bomb goes off in their back yard. Should be fun to watch.
That's what they say about the USA
When I mentioned unification of Korea the censors at CNN, well known to me by now, the haters of truth and free speech violating my Human Right, made my comments vanish. All you warmongers want to profit from endless wars ? I think the American public is being fed up with this TYRANNY.
But you just DID mention the unification of Korea and your comment is here. I believe the system is automated and is based on certain key words. Try a different way to say what you wanted to say.
The censors at Yahoo News are worse. Any semi-articulate reply that goes against their progressive narrative gets canned as does the author.
I knew a girl named tyranny.
War makes cents
I think there is much for the world to understand about China's political 'tieup' with N Korea. Underlining all that guesswork about N Korea and China is the fact that NK Generals are in complete control. And that China really have no control over these generals or even KJU. Its the Chinese businessmen who are maintaining a loose connection between these 2 countries.
NK generals are wary about letting their guards down, their survival, and grip on N Koreanx, depend alot on the mind control of their people. That had been the way pst NK leaders prevent implosion, and it will be the way these generals continue to keep themselves on top of its people. Should official word ever leaks out that America and South Korea have no intention of attacking N Korea, the military grip on NK citizens would be over sooner rather than never. Because N Koreans are hungry, living in constant darkness – and very desperate for salvation.
And so, the reason for the Generals missile tests – and daily drubbings of imminent war to their people.
Good comments johnny. What most people do not take into account is the close proximity of NK and SK, meaning that if NK were attacked, millions in SK would be killed also. It is not an easy solution. Hopefully SK and USA will not accept false promises and lies by NK and give them anything. Rewards could be given to NK, but only for real and verifiable actions by NK.
I agree with you, these privileged "people who have food and power" are hanging on by the short hairs. the last thing they want is a stable peace with any country. I would love to see what happens to this regime when the people find they have been lied to all this time.
Hungry is a completely different country. They are hungry in Hungry also.
And its different overhear??
Actually, military intervention has brought the rise of a dynamic and democratic South Korea. Sanctions have made the North squeal and teeter on the edge of starvation for a decade now. It is terrible, but containment has been pretty successful. The stabs at diplomacy seem to have sped up the bomb making, so I'm not sure what this commentator is smoking.
The North Korien commen people are so beat down that they do not know what they are being deprived of an believe their leaders are looking out for their well fair an it's sad to say they truly believe that.
WHERE IS MY POST CNN?????????????
..............MAYBE A DINGO 'ET YOUR POSTIE................
hehe
To see your post here try to write something against Islam.
islamist Fascism is the biggest threat us ALL , nothing worse ever created u FkR""
Where is my POST CNN????????
My post never appeared? Where is it?
CNN. Where is my post. AGAIN?????
Why are my comments being deleted?
That's simple, cocopu4u. These right-wing fanatics just do not like to see people posting anything that they don't agree with which kind of reminds of Germany in the 1930's. I guess that your posts just weren't politically correct enough to suit them.
Excuse me!!!!
The liberals are the ones who resort to calling names and blaming their problems on the conservatives and you are demonstrating it in your comment.
Maybe you said something intelligent. That doesn't go over so good
Since when does organized crime respond to carrots? As the Banco Delta Asia episode has clearly shown, the Kim clan is panicking when strangled financially. Bankrupting them is most likely to show results, paying them to talk about talking is not.
Boys following in the "id_iot" foot steps his father and GF left for him.... mor_on.
He seems a bit power hungry, I hope he doesn't grow a philtrum moustache, then we are in trouble.
There are two clear options; starve them and wait for them to attack the south, or destroy them now before they attack the south. The longer we wait, the stronger the Chinese get. When China no longer has to worry so much about the US as a market for their goods, we will have lost any hope of dealing with North Korea.
When China wont need are market foe goods. Who will they sell them too?? the North Koreans. Ya, I will trade three Chinese fighter jets for a good box of North Korean dirt with a rock in it!!
...........no sticks.....................................NUKES............
Just replace the words North Korea with Iran. Same scenario.
You said it, bdby!
BLOW THEM OFF THE MAP ASAP, TRUMAN, KENNEDY AND EISENHOWER WOULD NOT LET ANYONE DISRESPECT USA WITH A THREAT OF SENDING MISSLES TO USA SOIL, BY OBAMA ATTACKING N KOREA HE KLLS 2 BIRS WITH 1 STONE, 1- KEEPS USA SAFE FROM BEING BOMBED, 2- GETS OUR RESPECT BACK AND MAKES ANY OTHER NATION RESPECT US AND THINK TWICE BEFORE MAKING ANOTHER STATEMENT LIKE N KOREA THEY ARE SENDING MISSLES OUR WAY, NOT IN OUR HOUSE, GET OUR RESPECT BACK OBAMA, BLOW N KOREA OFF THE MAP NOW, IT HAS 2 BE DONE R-E-S-P-E-C-T
You are talking about killing millions of innocent people, right?
They're dead anyway. If the regime doesn't use them as test subjects for chemical weapons or work them to death, they'll die of starvation when another bad harvest rolls around. Considering that those methods tend to result in drawn-out deaths, instantaneous incineration doesn't seem so bad. Besides, we only need to nuke the major military areas and the capital. As soon as the head is lopped off this particular chimera the body will fly apart as it's only the regimes systemic terrorism against its own people that keeps the military machine rolling. Remove that fear and the population would turn
Oh and China? Let them rail and rant about their "buffer" being taken out. For all its bluster and size China is already hip-deep in a mess of problems of their own and headed for a population collapse by the next century. Plus they can't move any sizeable number of troops for an invasion. Troops fighting in Korea are troops not suppressing the populations in Tibet and other areas where the Han aren't the majority, which makes for instant rebellion – likely aided by American arms that can easily be shipped in from Afghanistan or other nations in the area. In short it's what is called a "No Brainer" – if the Chinese try to support their patsy they stand to whole swaths of their own territory. They'll bluster and threaten like always, but when the dust settles China won't lift a finger out of self-preservation.
Not necessary to kill millions. Only destroy the main mjli itary sites!!! Ccould be done in one hour, if they dare to fire one shot in the wrong direction, which I assume they were already told!!! I would tell this publicly, so to put in ridicule KIM JONG UN, he would be subsequently be deposed very rapidlly by order of China to the NK military!!
I never posted the above! Someone is trying to make look like right-wing idiot! Please disregard it. I, for the record, don't believe in mass murder!
I though mass murder was when a priest gives a really bad Sunday sermon.
So, you want us to nuke them because they said something disrespectful?
Man, I hope you never had kids!!!
Over-react much!!
Derek-So, you want us to nuke them because they said something disrespectful?
Man, I hope you never had kids!!!
Over-react much!!
Is this John McCain ? Is Sarah Palin there looking over your shoulder ? Do you have Mitt Romney on Skype ?
When was the stick used? l am Canadian. I hated George Bush's cowboy diplomacy. But Isay: let them use the nuke. Then blow them up to kingdom come. That would be the last time some pitiful pot-bellied "leader" leading some little bully of a rogue state that cannot feed its citizens think of nuclear blackmail.
Now here we have a Canadian Tea Partier putting his two cents in! Gee Silas, do you really harbor that much hatred? We already nuked J apan, isn't that enough?
China sent an army of men we could not kill fast enough in the 50's to defend Korea. What do you think they would do if we nuked North Korea?. What would you do if China nuked Mexico?
enjoy the worlds largest fiesta platter?......OLE!
Are you talking about putting a burrito in a microwave
Sounds like a plan here. Other nations seem to forget that the USA is the ONLY nation to have ever used nuclear weapons in anger. Maybe a reminder will give the other two-bit tyrants pause when it comes to threats.
No carrots, no sticks, no sanctions, no threats – won't work on Koreans. The correct answer: no business, no cooperation, no relations with Koreans (not with South Koreans, not with North Koreans). No imports of Koreans products (such as: hyundai, daewoo, kia, samsung, ssangyong, ...). This strategy will bring great benefits for peace and business.
You want to stop doing business with one of our biggest democratic allies with one of the largest economies in the world? Clearly you know nothing. Please stop, you are embarrassing yourself.
"Koreans" are not one ally from Western Societies – North Korea is no democratic allies, and also not South Koreans. Stop "Koreans" before late, because they are the most dangerous threat to Western Societies. Avoid one new World War, with stoping Korean imports, because North and South Koreans play one dangerous anti-America game. You can find many Westerners and American-CIA-men in trash-containners, killed from Korean-Secret-Enemies. No "N. and S. Korea-business" for PEACE!
And what are we to do – - -
I think everyone knows where this is heading. Its just a matter of time.
We need to ignore these curs until they starve to death under their divine Leadership. DO NOT FEED A STRAY DOG, IT WILL ONLY COME BACK FOR MORE AND BITE THE HAND WHO FEEDS IT. North Korea has shown they don't want to work for a living like the rest of the World and will never be fit to join the Society of Humans that inhabit the rest of this planet.
How come you don't like dogs? Don't tell me you are one of those dog eaters !!!
No one with a head that round should be in charge of anything . . . well except maybe a bowling alley.
couldn't we just have lucy pull the football away again?
I think that is where they make the pins
How many of our words spoken here in the states are heard around the world? With todays Internet technologies, like youtube, facebook, twitter, texting, eveyone around the world can monitor what is said here in the states. Even talk radio can be heard around the world by way of the Internet. Can our political infighting between the Rs and Ds be weakening our nation's stand around the world? Thus make it a more dangerous world. Are the leaders of North Korea monitoring our media by way of the Internet? If so, this may explain why North Korea is behaving the way they are doing now...
Well dave there should be no political parties in this country or anywhere else for that matter. Political parties lead to rampant corruption and they do not portray the general public. There is not only two answers to a problem there can be many. Political parties only care about one thing and thats getting elected. The only way you will get a truly unbias goverment is by removing politcal parties.
Because they are poor and they wave the magic nukey and hope for grain
We in Italy (EU) support Western Union; no business with Koreans. Koreans (no North, no South Koreans) are not beneficial partner, are non-Western and not willing for any confessions. ITALY for WESTERN UNION.
If you support Western Union why are you blogging?? You should of sent a telegram
Hungary does not know how to orientate. USA lost much influence, has bad military generals and not successful information-campaign managers, bad (losing) propaganda, etc. ... But we do not wanna turn back on the USA, wanna give it one more chance. Needless saying, we not wanna do business with South Koreans (no North, neither). In case USA loses also the next decade (we not hope), we not know where to orientate. Maybe, USA needs to ask Great Britain for international consultancy help. Thank you.
I dont understand, there is over a thousand nuke in the usa. You lead by example. Get rid of the thousands of nukes here then worry about a country that has not even made one let alone the capabilitys to deliver it.
Nukes are not what you think. Once you lose large territories, no nuke is gonna help you immediately. The USA needs to do better work, with whom they do business, cooperate, have relations – it is not possible with everyone – USA is not that strong. Internationally, Great Britain has more knowledge, better experience than USA, because Americans do not know the complex international relations, thus is not possible to make beneficial decisions (without messing up the world). We in Germany, do not want much business with Koreans (no North, no South Koreans). Vielen Dank aus Deutschland.
We do business with anyone who will provide cheap labor
Some countries with nukes and other countries without nukes? What an incredibly stupid plan for the future. The damn things can't be disinvented. Either everybody gives them up or everybody's going to get them. There's no third option, so stop wasting time trying to choose it.
Start closing South Korean businesses around the globe. Koreans are not trustworthy, not beneficial, not peaceful.
Thank you Mr. German North Korean, you are very trustworthy mouthpiece-–NOT.
Two brief observations on this:
Many people talk about Munich and Appeasement. Perhaps they should think back 99 years, to August 1914 ...
Too many tyrants see nukes (or WMD in general) as life insurance. Two ways about that, both extremely distasteful - don't topple a WMD-less tyrant even if you could, and let the oppressed people suffer, Or take a nuclear-armed tyrant out, and let the oppressed people suffer.
Hardening sanctions on North Korea and threatening them will do no good to anyone. The U.S. will not be the country that brings out them out of this economic and political nightmare. As a country it is not America's duty to help every country under duress. Especially one that hates them with a passion. Stronger sanctions will just add fuel to the fire and the North Korean hate will become stronger than ever for the U.S. The only country that will really help North Korea move to a more stable future is China.
The US does not owe any other Country anything. Our Duty should be towards our own self preservation, No room for bleeding hearts. Remember one of the US slogans are, "Don't tread on us".
NK's existence is wholly dependent on China. It's time now to ask China what they are up to. The world has to find out the role of NK in China's future world politics.
I believe in democracy and rule of law! This outlaw regime must end! People are suffering and starving for generation! The free world must unite and save the people of North Korea from the devils den!
USA must use the drone to save the people!
Stick? A stick is what you use to beat someone to within an inch of their life so they understand that keeping their course will have certain consequences that far outweigh any possible gains. We've been trying to play nice for over over 50 years and it has gone nowhere. Because the leadership in North Korea is insulated from the consequences of their actions they see no reason to actually negotiate.
A "stick" would be the US launching a dozen or so Tomahawks with their intended nuclear payloads that obliterate the North Korean regime's power structure the next time they try anything. Then telling their backers in Moscow and Beijing that if they even think about threatening action we'll strike first and shatter their power just as easily. All three nations are lead by regimes whose only concern is maintaining their hold on power. Put them in a situation where that power is the price of confrontation and they'll find a 1001 excuses to abruptly backpedal rather than lose that power.
The NKs need to be stopped. Now, before the west coast gets incinerated!!
premise: there is a viable solution
The premise is false. We cannot force North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. We have nothing to offer the governments of China and North Korea worth them stopping North Korea's nuclear program. There is no silver bullet, no perfect solution. Thus, the conclusion "sanctions won't work, military action won't work, so the remaining option of appeasement will" is built on false logic. Sanctions make North Korea's military pursuits more difficult. That is the current approach, and it isn't a bad one.
What people seem to forget is toppling the regime won't actually solve much. Those weapons will Still be there and, in the case of a rebellion, be in the hands of a likely unorganized and unstable government. Until we can be sure of a way to accomplish this safely, creating rebellions and military action is dangerous.
Has anybody even considered the possibility that if Kim Jong Un even tries reform....he will get killed?
The state has become its own oppressor, even the members are terrified of it. Its just like the USSR, where top Soviet officials regularly were arrested and forced to confess for made-up crimes.
Time for China to consider a 'Friendly Coup'
In its struggle to maintain the current leadership, the damage NK could do is conventional and limited.
When 'attached' by its 'friendly neighbor' there is no future for the current NK dynasty....No Win Situation.
They will strike out, but the damage will be conventional, and repairable.
Wait, and they will build or buy a nuclear warhead suitable for launching...and they get to pick their target.
Even if they will be destroyed, they will launch...such is their psychosis, such is their brilliance....pick one, the results are the same: rule or ruin...their history wrt their own people shows this. rule or ruin.
Only China can occupy Pyonyang, neuter the NKDF, install a puppet, then withdraw.
This way, SK may have China on its borders, with US Troops on the other side.
They will be motivated to install a puppet regime and withdraw their troops, to keep NK a 'buffer state'.
So let it be done.
I like to see that old stupid and disrespectful neo – colonial mentality at work involving self defeating and counter productive regional strategies. Installing "puppet regimes" etc.. Such is the rank ignorance of many of the people posting; Korea is nothing more than a violent action movie / computer game ..... we can do it to you, but don't you dare to it to the US of A, 'cause "that is different".
Sticks aren't working because the sticks being used are way too short. The problem isn't the stick, it 's the morons using the stick who keep failing to notice just how ineffective their stick is.
U.S should recognize their atrocity toward North Korean people. Repenting their cruelty act by giving the North Korean people needs. Lift-up the sanctions against them. And encourage the North Korean Leadership to open their door for more possible opportunity toward negotiation of economic trade, environment and diplomacy specially toward their counter part South Korea. The world must treat North Korea like prodigal son in the bible. North Korea need the world community to accept them and help them in their almost century problem of ideology and differences. May the Living God continue to guide us in this great and last dispensation of our time.
Eman, the evil, selfish regime in NK would rather torture, starve and humiliate its people (as it is currently doing) than open up and allow the horrible truth that the Kim Il Sung/Stalinist regime has lied to the people and made them slaves just so Kim and his descendents could drive around in limos, drink cognac and sit on a pathetic, plastic throne. If America tried to lift all sanctions and embrace NK as you suggest, KJU would only take the money and expand his military and make more nuke weapons. He would continue to screw his people. He is a stupid little $h!t and he will die.
This is a more sane post.
Eman, could you please say more about what we have done to North Korea and how we can help them. Because I really do not understand very well. I do understand that the people there are suffering. It is difficult for us to get past all the regime rhetoric. I am very interested in what you have to say. You are the first person who makes sense-in a kind way. Thank you.
Fareed, we have all been where you are now on NK. Let me clue you in, NK is like the aliens from movie ID4. Regime doesn't want to open up or modernize. It only wants to suck the blood out of its people in order to maintain its pathetic dicatorship. They are evil and will ultimately be destroyed.
You are one of millions of sad individuals who watch too many violent action movies.
That the issue here, dictatorship over it's people. Unlike the Mascho Piro tribe of Peru, the North Korean people have choices, they just don't know, or afraid to ask. China is the key, and if Nort'h Korea continues to up the military ante, don't be suprised if China takes actions beyond economic. Remember this, China and South Korea have close ties. China and South Korea vowed to enhance cooperation even further.[ China and South Korea recently agreed to boost their current strategic and cooperative partnership. The two nations have good reason to enhance trade ties. According to figures and forecasts, bilateral trade has risen from $100 billion to $200 billion in the past five years and is expected to hit $250 billion this year and perhaps meet the target of $300 billion by 2015. China's deputy commerce minister has encouraged more South Korean investment in the country's high-end manufacturing sector, its green industries, and its modern services industries. Do you think for one second that China wouldn't want to see a unified Korea peninsula? The North has become a economic liability.
Fareed, again your take on North Korea ignores the reality of the situation. The isolation of North Korea is self-induced. China controls access to North Korea. China gets very little cooperation from North Korea.
There was a 60 Minutes report on how the North Korean regime controls the thinking of its people. If someone gets out of line the person may be shot and the whole family incarcerated. You are making the assertion that the problem with the North is the creation of the west. China and Miramar came out of their deep sleep by choice and not coercion from the West.
You were not up to par on your weekly GPS this week.
Oops – stick does not work with North Korea. Only carrots please, otherwise I will urinate, defecate and empty my plate on the floor again – more than I did before – and I will do so in the middle of your own home if you dare mess with me.
Iran is about to become the same way – since Israel is allowed to commit whatever crime it opts for with impunity, ignoring UN resolutions whether on Palestinian plight or on it's nuclear weapons activities.
Furthermore, other developing countries – such as Brazil – will soon follow North Korean and Iran's examples to acquire their own nuclear weapons, a status symbol only a few have been monopolizing. Is a nuclear weapons free world the answer to preventing humans from annihilating themselves?
Just – worry – about – the – USA.
Sticks will not work with NK because NK needs the threat of sticks to maintain control; "sticks become self-defeating. The DPRK needs respect, empathy and love....and this aint gonna happen.
Love? nuts to that. Hitler was given love, that didn't work. North Korea needs a kick in the economic ass by China so their political elite have no leg to stand on.
Point of order. North Korea is not our problem. They aren't going to invade. There will be no rockets, no mushroom clouds – this is not going to happen; remember the Iraqi WMD's. Just worry about the USA.
Let us all separate stupid "Hollywood thinking" from Reality and Common Sense.
وردنا خبرا مؤكدا مفاده ما يلي :
المجرم واثق البطاط يتواجد حاليا في مدينة الشعله – في بيت يقع في نهاية شارع (60) بداية منطقة الدوانم مع مجموعه من المجرمين من المليشيات التابعه لفيلق القدس الايراني وينطلق من مدينة الشعله لتنفيذ عمليات الاغتيال في مناطق الغزاليه والسيديه والعامريه وبدعم لوجستي من مكتب القائد العام للقوات المسلحه
تعليقنا //
اين مذكرة القاء القبض بحق هذا الارهابي يا مالكي وهو لايبعد عن مقرك في المنطقه الخضراء اكثر من 15 كيلومتر ومليشياتك وجيشك الاجرامي يحاصر احياء الاعظميه والعامريه والسيديه لكي يتحرك هذا المجرم وعصابات فيلق القدس لقتل الابرياء وتصفية المطالبين بحقوقهم المشروعه .........................
Asking the wrong question. Ask, what would happen if North Korea would actually use their nuclear capability on another country? Ask what the response would be, if they used a nuclear bomb on another country? Ask what would be the world's response, "if" North Korea actually used a nuclear bomb on another country? Then ask, given that you think you know what the response would be, would North Korea be stupid enough to bomb another country, with their nuclear weapons?
The real diplomacy starts and ends with China. 70% of North Korea's annual trade in 2011 was with it's neighbor to the North. A Chinese "stick" approach w/North Korea will not only end the military escalation, but will provide the international respectability that China desires. North Korea only hope lies in a reunification w/the South. The economic desire will be there, the political elite in the North will have lost there Chinese golden egg.
Times have changed. Nobody can claim they are the strongest. Nuclear technology has spread. To create another Hiroshima will be unthinkable because the intensity of todays nuclear weapons is many times the atomic bomb. God save planet earth.
Isn't bullying when only some of the kids get to have Nuclear toys and others can't? Why can't we drop all sanctions and offer to build them factories that will produce cheap products for our economies?
I don't think anyone can do much about North Korea, as long as China is propping them up and enabling them.
As is often the case, the inner circle of North Korea is living in luxury, while the majority of the people starve and suffer. That's a textbook definition of an evil government.
Just look how fat their leader is, while the people starve and waste away!
Good governments and leaders take care of their people, at their own expense; and, they put the needs of the people ahead of their own. Jesus taught us that.
Evil leaders do the opposite.
Why did we ever allow ourselves to become so indebted to China?
Now we can't really say anything, as China supports the vile government of N. Korea.
I pity the poor people of N. Korea. May God deliver them from their evil leaders and oppressors.
Seeing what one wants to see:
Easy E "...go in with all guns blazing or expect to lose..."
Barry "May God deliver them from their evil leaders and oppressors..."
The German Wehrmacht, the most efficient, technologically advanced war machine in the world, at the time, used that theme to go into the Soviet Union. Found themselves faced with a determined and patriotic people (led by, according to the US, "evil leaders and oppressors,' and, worst of all, Godless), willing to make any sacrifice to defeat the invaders. They did and they did.
China, with a government (albeit, reluctantly supported by the Soviet Union, due to political differences), having just gained power, and used to seeing hundreds of thousands of its citizens die every year, due to "natural" causes (starvation, lack of resources, etc.), sent its citizens en mass down the Korean peninsula to sop the US led "allies forces from gaining the upper hand. Pushed them all the way back to the 38th parallel. Did MacArthur have enough bombs to make them cry "uncle?" Across 11 time zones? What aircraft could fly that far, without refueling? Those who think so, are still living in the era of "cowboys and Indians" movies. And, for starters, massive bombing, as advocated by the "nutty" US general Curtis "bomb them back to the stone age" LeMay, never cowed the Brits, nor the Germans. And, OUR drones, are doing little better in the mountains of Afghanistan.
The government of the DPRK demands that they be treated, albeit a small and poor nation, with respect, and as equals. They've said so for the over 60 years we've been waiting for them to implode. Ain't gonna happen folks. Get it?
Dan,
Good leaders (like good shepherds) are faithful protectors and providers of those in their care. Good leaders put the needs and interests of their people ahead of their own.
In fact, a good shepherd (like a good leader) would suffer and lay down their life for their people. God's son, Jesus, taught us that.
An evil leader does the opposite. They neglect their people, while they themselves live in comfort and luxury; they put their selfish wants ahead of those of the people; and, they sacrifice the people, for their own selfish aims and ambitions.
Incidentally an evil shepherd (or leader) would steal from the flock–and instead of leading the flock, they drove them and hid at the back. By doing this they could flee, at the first sign of trouble.
Needless to say, good shepherds and good leaders are rare and precious.
At least we had one, in our history, Jesus of Nazareth, and we crucified him.
N Korea off face off map. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestinians, drop the bunker buster reality bombs.
Hitler tried your policy.We even don't know now where he is buried.
Only poor people of Iran and Korea are suffering from sanctions.The westerns are very cruel.
AND...WHY are there sanctions.....?
Actions have consequences.
iran iraqi shiia , syrian shiia and the terrorists hizboallah are the pure evil and the world must get red of iran the snake head so the rest of the evil die....
I believe in reading your statement, my IQ has dropped drastically. Terrorists "bug" me (I'm not sure how censored this site is, so please imagine any significantly stronger word you desire). The only people that get even close to being as "annoying" (again, make it worse) are the intolerant people who want to destroy the culture that accidentally let a few whackos loose on the world.
lol keep censoring other people's opinion, cnn. so much for 1st amendment.
What is the point of being technologically advanced when we refuse to play the cards to our advantage. Keep waiting, let's see how this will play out when these nations are armed with nuclear weapons.
Threats are pointless when the enemy knows you will not act.
Strike now, strike hard. Send them back to the stone age. Or else what? Keep throwing empty threats until they ARE a nuclear power? Then you can't hit them anymore. Sanctions? So they can illegally and secretly fund their programs through other channels?
North Korea would be much PRETTIER as a Big GLASS Bowl
We have been selfish Too Long. The United States needs to be more GIVING to North Korea. We should give them the GIFT of an ENORMOUS GLASS BOWL where their Nuclear Facility USED to be
The above article states the United States and United Nations have little choice but to impose sanctions on North Korea. There is another choice . . . open more communication lines between the United States and North Korea. I am glad talks with Iran look like they will be starting again, but why is it OK to talk to Iran and not North Korea? I have been to North Korea three times and have to say that exposure to the outside world can make a difference. Hopefully the new Secretary of State, John Kerry will consider traveling to North Korea as Madeleine Albright did during the Clinton Administration. There is an opportunity for dialog with the new leader, Kim Jong Un, who does seem to want make improvements to his country.
Bullies are naturally not liked by others, hypocrisy and double standards are always in play. If you want others to drop weapons, you have to drop them at the same time. You hold on to them, you let your so-called "allies" hold on to them, then you want everybody else to be defenseless and vulnerable to your bullying forever. They don't cave in, they respond as you deserve, then you get angry. Think! You are not in a position to so what you are doing, you are self-righteous brainwashed individuals who think that you are better in every scenario. Not the case at all in reality.
This article says that the stick doesn't work. I say use a much bigger stick. Nuke the hell out of their labs and places they are building the rockets and nuke lab research...while you are at it, hit their leaders home/living and work quarters, take as many of the ones that run their country out of circulation.
Sometimes the carrot is putting away the stick, and you can't put away the stick if you never picked it up. Obviously a policy of total appeasement is not going to lead to a reduced threat, it will just lead to some bizarre state where we try discourage a biological weapons program by selling them microbial lab supplies at a discount and trying not to be too critical.
North Korea doesn't respond to threats because North Korea doesn't give a rat's ass about anybody's threats.
To sit down and listen to anybody, or try to engage in any kind of diplomacy would fly in the face of their domestic propaganda that says NK is the greatest country on the face of the earth, the only world super power, and that everyone wants to be like NK. Nevermind, they know the UN isn't going to Sanction any direct military action against them, and if somebody like the US did it without the UN – NK would just use it as an excuse to steamroll over South Korea (which they could do easily).
Hopefully one of this cabinet members cuts his fat little throat.
Until President Obama does what John Kennedy did when he said, any attack from Cuba will be considered an attack from the Soviet Union. We will continue to have a Korea problem. He should hold China accountable for the actions of North Korea. North Korea is a puppet of China and acts only with the approval of the Chinese. No sanctions will work as long as China can and does provide massive economic support. The president should announce it as a policy of the US, that any attack from North Korea will be considered an attack from China, then and only then will the Chinese change the actions of the North Koreans. That policy worked with Cuba and it will work with North Korea.
The problem there, however, is that we weren't covering our massive budget deficits with loans from the USSR.
The most effective way to deal with North Korea is to make it in China's best interests to control them.
Witout China North Korea cannot exist.
North Korean government kills and enslavdes its own people. Maybe its about time to encourage the people of North Korean to dump their govertnment. Yeah, I know. They know nothing about the outside world and are totally brainwashed. But maybe revolution is the only solution.
Those people are scared to death
Sticks don't work with North Korea because you can't beat the crazy out of someone!
The recent extrordinary weird actions of NK leaders is not an act defiance, what we are witnessing could be a very desperate social political situation in Pyongyang. KJU needs to have a real life enemy to divert the attention of detractors in his country.
Something is bound to give in this degree of tension in NK. And it may happen soon – because food and medical supplies are dangerously low. And importantly their international currency reserves in NK is almost all spent.
I think NKoreans is crying out to the world for help, but dont know how to do it diplomatically. They think the threats of nuclear bombing US and S Korea may move America to compromise (tsk tsk).
He looks like Cartman from South Park, or an avacado with that haircut of his.
Here is a good question nobody thought of (or that I am not seeing any mention of):
If North Korea's nuclear program is designed for peaceful, energy-generating purposes as Kim claims, then where did they get the warheads they are threatening to launch at us? John Kerry should be asking Pyongyang about that little incongruity...
OH< YES, TICKS WOULD WORK ALL RIGHT, AND PROBABLY THE MILITARY WOULD OUST KIM JOMG UN!!!
Bur REAL sticks, not sanctions or UN resolution.
Simple and clear warning: one bullet coming over, in the next hour all your military bases would be powder~~~
China would protest loudly, but stop NK to do anything. Anyway, China has in comparison with the US ZERO military power, with their ridicule not operative obsolete carrier, and anyway, will in no case to risk their future by doing something which would jeopardize their future!!
Correction:
OH YES, STICKS WOULD WORK ALL RIGHT, AND PROBABLY THE MILITARY WOULD OUST KIM JONG UN RAPIDLY!!
Bur REAL sticks, not sanctions or UN resolution
.China ......
Kim Jong Un plays Sid Meier's Civilization with his nation.
yeah like korea is going to play hardball nukes with the USA lol that fat bobble head korean needs to be delt with.
This Armstrong guy had to study his whole life and do mad research at Columbia university to come with the conclusion that Kim Jong-un is crazy lol Armstrong wants to get to know Kim Jong-un ha-ha I must laugh. I mean can't everybody in the world see he is just a nut??? of course Kim Jong-un is super hyper insanely crazy just like hitler, the guy clearly thinks he has more military capability than he actually does and he also clearly don't know or don't believe or don't care The U.S can blow North Korea away a couple million times over. Just a crazy rich dad's boy who will commit suicide at the first sight of the Marines.
There Armstrong I did your life's work in 5 paragraphs, sorry.
smd i have a penis
KOREANS SUCK ASS,
they have HUGE heads,
and tinyy faces ( -.- )
CUT THE WINGS TO PREVENT THEM FROM FLYING
And giving in to their blackmail witll shut them up for 6 months or so, and then NK will be right back to their blacmail for aid tactics .
Kim Jong-un isn't crazy at all. He is simply playing the crazy card, his motivations are anyone's guess. An opinion that seems plausible is that he will get some concessions in exchange for backing off of his current stance. Its a game that he seems to be winning. He seems to love life and all of its pleasures too much to risk suicide.
The US and the UN have lost all semblance of moral authority for tolerating preemptive war by the US and Israel and the willful disobedience by Israel to obey repeated UN resolutions, including Resolution 242. Kim is not stupid nor crazy; he knows what happened to Saddam and Gaddafi and what is being done to Syria Pakistan, Yemen, etc. If I lived in a neighborhood of thugs, I would want the best weapon possible to hurt them REAL bad if they came after me. What does Kim have to lose? His life, his country? Ask Iraq. Ask Afghanistan. Ask Libya.
China had better get this little dictator under control quickly. China is invested heavily with the west and if they want that to continue they will fix this. If they drag their feet and the Little Dictator get further out of control China is going to start seeing the effects where it hurts, finically. North Korea is Chinas problem and the world should be watching to see how they handle it. Allowing North Korea to continue to threaten and attempt to intimidate while developing a better nuke is not going to work for the test of the world. Making one Korea, getting rid of the Norths military and bringing the two countries together would go along way for China.
So weak illegitimate leaders can do whatever they want? NKorea is never going to open up willingly.
What a weak column. If the South Korean people are willing to fight let them beat the hell out of the North. The only diplomacy is calling on the North to dissolve.
I'm not suggesting that N. Korea should be allowed to threaten the US with nuclear weapons and as some have already suggested, the threat of military action against N. Korea would certainly rattle the Chinese. However, we need to remind ourselves that N. Korea also shares a small but common border with Russia. (See any atlas) which requires us to be smart enough to think about unintended consequences.
Why are you so afraid to talkt to them directly or secretly – then again maybe US has, but
George broke the agreement. You can't blame the North Koreans for being isolated and paranoid. When dealing with the US there is ample reason.
Wikipedia. Article on Jimmy Carter:
"Carter negotiated an understanding with Kim Il-sung, but went further and outlined a treaty, which he announced on CNN without the permission of the Clinton White House as a way to force the US into action. The Clinton Administration signed a later version of the Agreed Framework, under which North Korea agreed to freeze and ultimately dismantle its current nuclear program and comply with its nonproliferation obligations in exchange for oil deliveries, the construction of two light water reactors to replace its graphite reactors, and discussions for eventual diplomatic relations.
The agreement was widely hailed at the time as a significant diplomatic achievement.[80][81] In December 2002, the Agreed Framework collapsed as a result of a dispute between the George W. Bush Administration and the North Korean government of Kim Jong-il. In 2001, Bush had taken a confrontational position toward North Korea and, in January 2002, named it as part of an "Axis of Evil". Meanwhile, North Korea began developing the capability to enrich uranium. Bush Administration opponents of the Agreed Framework believed that the North Korean government never intended to give up a nuclear weapons program, but supporters believed that the agreement could have been successful and was undermined.[82]
"
i love how everyone on here has an opinion of what we should do as a nation....last time i checked North Korea has more man power than we do and followers who worship their leader as a god..the only plausible solution without the loss of mass casualties would be to bomb the daylights out of the country...but that is not only politically incorrect but morally wrong to kill the same human lives that we will send aid too in the wake of a disaster...the real answer is there is no right or wrong answer to the problem..you're damned if you do and damned if you don't...as much trading as we do with China they still are like the big brother of NK, China needs NK for the simple fact that they do not want American troops on their doorstep..but they also do not want a conflict on their border either...China has major interest in both NK and America(due to the fact that they pretty much own us in alot of ways...and you never want to break something you own until you are reimbursed what was invested into it and then some) and NK gets a majority of their imports from China as well..although im sure they are getting tired of the rhetoric, actions will most likely not be taken to do anything to cripple the already frail economy of its neighbor..which leads me back to my point that foreign policy is a Catch-22 of sorts due to the fact that their are so many variables that go into every decision one must make when looking at the picture as a whole...as nice as it would be to just squash the problem there is a 99% chance that any military action will open up a can of worms that could not be predicted realistically until it were to happen...any prediction of what could happen is simply speculation because NK is such a wild card there is no way one could predict the outcome of military conflict because bombing alone will not fix the regime and mindset of its people..one simply can look at iraq and Afghanistan to see that things are not always as easy as they seem..you can win every single battle but not win the war .and putting troops in NK would lose alot of american lives needlessly because their military might although not as tested as the US is nothing to scoff at..that being said if their is any such action taken by NK to destroy the US or its allies(which we are OBLIGATED to protect)then military action MUST we can not let something happen that could be prevented, but rhetoric is rhetoric saying and doing are two different things..saddam used alot of rhetoric towards the US but was never a legitimate threat ...the best solution is to just make sure we are winning the information war and ahead of the curve with technology at the forefront whether its espionage or hacking of computer systems(the same way china hacks us on a daily basis) that way if the threats are LEGITIMATE then we take swift action out of necessity with safety being the main priority due to them leaving us no choice...because bombing a country is fair game if your own citizens and allies are in danger...but to do it because of the rhetoric of a few leaders who will probably survive the blast anyways while the ones we would be killing have no say in the matter is wrong on so many levels...that is unless we the american people are in danger..then our leaders are left with no choice..because although all life is sacred it is the duty of our elected officials to do any and everything to protect us AS WELL AS OUR MILITARY which means not bringing them into a conflict that is unjustified
I feel sorry for all the brainwashed N Koreans supporting little fat Kim Jong Un's insane asylum regime. He is worst than his father and grandfather combined.
you know the asias have bina shotten stuff like that be4 the gun an boomb ifin its elegal 4 kim jong to do that way mow thats the way me ,.pnm,. jeffroe an gomer benna sifering it,s so what up mow kim mow,.pnm,.ps lets grt it on,.pnm,.
Comments are waist the world and the people of the world is doing what ever they want ,not listening to their family their friends their is no Ethics left on religion values people talk nonsence about Islam , christians, jews what they see is oppertunity USA is a World Defaulter in every sense and their planning they only think HOW HOW to take control ONCE it was Russia ,they are so weak now that they cannt even raise finger US has cut them in all fronts Chechniya they should and can have stopped the fighting in one day and the other places you can see by yourself TODAY .
What is the cause of making the world so divided? how to enable every country live in a balance of power?
North Korea won't change until China does. It is a buffer state between South Korea and itself. Therefore, we should concede in advance that China will continue to control it in return for its invading it to end the current regime. The USA should sign a treaty with China about this...
Spoken like a rationalizing dove. Looking at the photo, by the way, I couldn't tell right away who the adult was...
Stupid is doing something 1000 times , getting the same result 999 times and expecting to get a different result on attempt 1000. We need a bigger stick to beat North Korea with. They've eaten all of the carrots.
Because they are most belligerent when America has a war going on elsewhere. And at this time America is forced to use the carrot.
Sticks won't work with NK. Judging from their pudgy potentate, especially sticks with food impaled on them.
STOP BTTCHING AND DO SOME CHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diplomacy will never work with N.K. Silly op-ed.
Why sticks don't work with North Korea:
Because we haven't used them yet.