Posted on 09/03/2017 12:32:28 PM PDT by Reno89519
Defense secretary James Mattis has spoken outside the White House. “We are not looking for the annihilation of North Korea, we have many options,” he says.
He also said that “any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response.”
When a Dem is president it’s always “politics end at the shore”.
Leaders on that level have to address more than one party when making statements like that. First, he aligned himself with Trump, and then with Tillerson, then signaled to Russia and China, cluing them in that he is not thinking of a second Korean War. There won’t be American troops in North Korea. Not necessary.
Pray a Chinese owned general puts a bullet into Kimmy.
Basically we’re looking at an old fashioned siege here. Some minimum measures to put in place until N. Korea completely stands down.
No one trades with North Korea. If you trade with North Korea, you do not also trade with the US or our allies.
A full naval blockade of the waters off of North Korea. Any ship that enters will be ordered to turn back. If they refuse, they will be boarded and seized. This includes fishing vessels.
If you have diplomatic relations with North Korea, you do not also have diplomatic relations with the US or our allies.
Put in place a massive multinational military force on the 38th parallel which is paid for by Germany and Japan who are both super rich but are not in a position to contribute militarily in any meaningful way.
Once Kim and his government surrender, North Korea ceases to be and its territory reintegrates with South Korea along the lines of East/West Germany reunification.
Yesterday would be great.
Maybe time for Trump to suggest that people leave Seoul? As a illustrative step, call home all US dependents in Korea. All of them.
I don’t think they should have to make any public statements. Why should the president and the military give any inkling of their plans? If there are any talks, that should happen behind closed doors. Public statements only rile up the little creep in NK.
I agree. Just do it.
The red line has already been breached. NK has deliverable nukes, that POTUS said he would not allow. If there is no war, whether trade or kinetic Trump will have back peddled.
Can you read? He said we are NOT interested in annihilating them.
I think none of them want to fight, except Trump as a last resort. But if we do attack it won’t be announced in advance. Let’s see.
Of course we don't WANT to do it but may not have a choice in the matter.
Bear in mind when we talk to Fat Boi, we are really talking to China. Have no doubt who controls his every move. The resolution of this mess depends on Trump’s strategy of using economics to convinced China that their national interest would be better served by having a different leader in NK. Once that happens, he’s gone. Not NK, the last thing they want is any greater US presence in their corner of the world. But a different leader who acted in a more rational fashion is about the best outcome we can hope for.
He did say “threat”. He wouldn’t say exactly what they plan, Trump doesn’t believe in broadcasting our plans.
Well cripes, about half the posts on FR are from people demanding the Attorney General publish all the details of every investigation he and the FBI are doing. Same thing.
There were never easy answers for this chronic problem which our allies would support. It is hard to blame them, either, if military action results in the devastation of Seoul. Sort of like police shooting suicidal people to stop them from harming themselves...
I read it as we won’t do anything militarily unless he actually attacks. In other words, we won’t do anything militarily while North Korea spends the coming years building up a huge nuclear arsenal.
So that’s that I suppose. Pretty disappointing- I would prefer we bite the bullet now and get rid of this regime, whatever the cost. But that doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
Right. It’s the word “but” that’s the kicker.
Maybe, but Mattis didn’t announce anything of a real and concrete nature. No additional deployments to the region, no evacuation of US civilians from SK, etc. Those are things that would be done if we were seriously considering military options.
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