tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post5679009407279731643..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Closer to the BrinkGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-86648544447885344852013-04-15T13:11:01.944-04:002013-04-15T13:11:01.944-04:00If I was a top echelon Chinese strategist intent o...If I was a top echelon Chinese strategist intent on expanding my country’s rightful sphere of influence at the expense of a bumbling and confused United States, I might very well suggest that our “unpredictable” client state, DPRK create exactly this sort of a confrontation in the expectation that the US’ inept and non-confrontational leaders would be more than willing to bargain away at least a portion of their military superiority in east and southeast Asia in exchange for my country’s moderating throttle on the volatile Kim Jung-Un. After all, my own naval forces are now expanding to support my country’s determined search for and control of hydrocarbon-based energy supplies in the East and South China seas, while my own air force is now capable of flying out over water beyond sight of the mainland. Real power is both military and economic – something I understand even if the Americans have forgotten or no longer much care. And who else to control the hot-headed young Kim, since we are the ones who have provided his country with the technology he now uses to threaten the United States. And such an agreement would clearly be in the interest of the Obama regime too, since it enhances his prestige at home and abroad while providing an excuse for further American reductions in military spending, once the DPRK’s Kim is seen to be on a short and sturdy leash. Granted, some may see through the ploy (though surely not the current Secretaries of State and Defense). But even so, the result is a “win-win” for both my country and the American regime.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707974400525362949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-68705747784755450442013-04-14T10:27:48.468-04:002013-04-14T10:27:48.468-04:00Let's take a step back:
NK is a creature of C...Let's take a step back:<br /><br />NK is a creature of China (fifteen divisions crossing the Yalu River).<br /><br />China has the ability to "reign in" NK by turning off the fuel spigot.<br /><br />An attack by NK on SK and/or Japan is not an attack on the US of A. And, it was the UN who waged the Korean War (a useful fiction).<br /><br />My suggestion? Inform China that the US will regard an attack on us by NK as an attack by China -- and respond appropriately.<br /><br />Inform SK that they're on their own (and get our token detachments the hell of out there).<br /><br />There's no doubt that NK can devastate Seoul. There's also no doubt that SK can decapitate NK and render them helpless thereafter. SK will survive (albeit at horrendous cost in lives and materiel). NK will not.<br /><br />So, would China permit NK to attack the US, given our warning? Maybe -- who would believe our feckless President?<br /><br />Would NK attack SK? Not if they believed SK was resolute.<br /><br />"Effective diplomacy requires the credible threat of force" -- Disraeli I think.Norman Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07405251470825999350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-47138451572976108702013-04-09T18:56:50.482-04:002013-04-09T18:56:50.482-04:00This one does feel different to me as well. It se...This one does feel different to me as well. It seems the North is backing itself into a corner with its rhetoric. It seems like they will have to "put up or shut up" and they will lose a lot of face if they shut up.Former Skivvy Ninerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00926146521676521799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-18520675116183247712013-04-09T12:10:39.900-04:002013-04-09T12:10:39.900-04:00What is unique about the "predicted" mis...What is unique about the "predicted" missile test is that so far as I can determine the DPRK has not notified the ICAO of any danger zones ass0ciated with a test. After the debacle of launching a missile over Japan 15 years ago, the DPRK has given such notice.<br /><br />I searched the ICAO site and couldn't find anything and emailed them at the Montreal HQ asking if they had been notified. So far I have received no response.<br /><br />Incidently, I think this site predicted the timing of any DPRK invasion at this time of year because their military is at peak readiness following the Winter Training Cycle and before the military needs to plant crops. You might want to link to that story if it was you.<br /><br />Incidently another blog reported the recent arrival of B-1 bombers at Guam using plain voice rather than encrypted comms, I guess to let Kim what to expect if he makes the wrong move. <br /><br />You might want to report on the readiness of the DPRK air forces, number of monthly fight hours, fuel availability etc. <br /><br />Thanks for your excellent reporting.Corky Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363812378536729410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-89862205219791111872013-04-09T10:55:29.930-04:002013-04-09T10:55:29.930-04:00I don't know exactly why, but this one feels d...I don't know exactly why, but this one feels different. It seems a lot of dice are being rolled at once.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13642228725661059539noreply@blogger.com