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North Korea now making missile-ready nuclear weapons, U.S. analysts say
WaPo ^ | 8-8-17 | By Joby Warrick, Ellen Nakashima and Anna Fifield

Posted on 08/08/2017 9:31:32 AM PDT by Red Badger

North Korea has successfully produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles, crossing a key threshold on the path to becoming a full-fledged nuclear power, U.S. intelligence officials have concluded in a confidential assessment.

The new analysis completed last month by the Defense Intelligence Agency comes on the heels of another intelligence assessment that sharply raises the official estimate for the total number of bombs in the communist country’s atomic arsenal. The U.S. calculated last month that up to 60 nuclear weapons are now controlled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Some independent experts believe the number of bombs is much smaller.

The findings are likely to deepen concerns about an evolving North Korean military threat that appears to be advancing far more rapidly than many experts had predicted. U.S. officials last month concluded that Pyongyang is also outpacing expectations in its effort to build an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking cities on the American mainland.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: nknukes; nkoutofcontrol; third100days; trumpasia; trumpnk
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To: Mariner

What level of force do you believe would be necessary to disarm Iran?

Assuming NK could have their nuclear program ended quickly and at low cost (probable, IMO) what consequences do you envision flowing from that?


41 posted on 08/08/2017 10:25:37 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Single payer is coming. Which kind do you like?)
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To: Mariner

Most important question for you, a respected FReeper:

Why do you suppose the war cries are loudest a) from our domestic enemies who b) are usually against any use of our military force?


42 posted on 08/08/2017 10:28:11 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Single payer is coming. Which kind do you like?)
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To: Paladin2

The important question is how long before NK attacks...


43 posted on 08/08/2017 10:29:03 AM PDT by mandaladon (It's always good to be underestimated. ~Donald Trump)
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To: bgill

War with North Korea seems inevitable...


44 posted on 08/08/2017 10:32:28 AM PDT by mandaladon (It's always good to be underestimated. ~Donald Trump)
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To: mandaladon

I don’t see an upside for them, but them I doesn’t have the same world view I guess.


45 posted on 08/08/2017 10:33:22 AM PDT by Paladin2 (No spelchk nor wrong word auto substition on mobile dev. Please be intelligent and deal with it....)
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To: mandaladon

The important question is the probability of a suicidal attack by DPRK, that is, IF not WHEN.


46 posted on 08/08/2017 10:33:44 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Single payer is coming. Which kind do you like?)
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To: ObozoMustGo2012

ObozoMustGo2012 wrote:

“#Calexit maybe happening sooner than later....”

FR is based in Calif, and so are many freepers and freepers’ families.


47 posted on 08/08/2017 10:34:16 AM PDT by WildHighlander57 ((WildHighlander57, returning after lurking since 2000)
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To: Reno89519
Question One: Why haven’t we already erased this threat from the map?

Because if we erase North Korea, they definitely erase Seoul and Tokyo, killing millions and disrupting the global economy, and possibly erase Los Angeles, New York and Washington as well. That threat is the whole reason they got nukes in the first place.

At this pace, if organic progress on their part, at which point will they match or even exceed US technology advancement?

They don't have electricity yet in large parts of the country, and the economy of the entire country is about half that of Albuquerque New Mexico. I wouldn't worry about us all becoming slaves to North Korea.

48 posted on 08/08/2017 10:41:17 AM PDT by Alter Kaker (Gravitation is a theory, not a fact. It should be approached with an open mind...)
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To: Paladin2
I don’t see an upside for them, but them I doesn’t have the same world view I guess.

Everything that NK has done has been rational - about maintaining power for Kim and his regime. Sure it screws the North Korean people, but that's not the point - they've kept their screws on power. Why would they commit suicide now?

49 posted on 08/08/2017 10:43:18 AM PDT by Alter Kaker (Gravitation is a theory, not a fact. It should be approached with an open mind...)
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To: Paladin2

I’m sure we can wipe them out but there will be a lot of South Korean casualties as well of US troops there...


50 posted on 08/08/2017 10:43:24 AM PDT by mandaladon (It's always good to be underestimated. ~Donald Trump)
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To: Mariner
Hell, I want a war. I want a war to ensure Norklandia AND Iran never have nukes capable of hitting the US. Or, to eliminate those they have. And I would be happy to volunteer if Uncle Sam will still have me. Unlike those who fear the confrontation.

If you believe this article, they already have nukes that can hit the US. Assuming they do, are you willing to lose a major American city or three or ten?

51 posted on 08/08/2017 10:44:42 AM PDT by Alter Kaker (Gravitation is a theory, not a fact. It should be approached with an open mind...)
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To: Alter Kaker

The problem is, how do you dismantle the regime, without the country going into complete chaos? Those people have no clue as to what to do, and most likely, both China and South Korea would be faced with a flood of refugees, which neither wants.


52 posted on 08/08/2017 10:45:16 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: mandaladon
I don't see an upside for them, but then I don't have the same world view as them I guess.

Maybe I should hire a copy editor from among the NYT layoffees?

53 posted on 08/08/2017 10:46:50 AM PDT by Paladin2 (No spelchk nor wrong word auto substition on mobile dev. Please be intelligent and deal with it....)
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To: Alter Kaker

NORK/Iran can kicking fits in so well with the rest of US Gov’t plans...


54 posted on 08/08/2017 10:48:24 AM PDT by Paladin2 (No spelchk nor wrong word auto substition on mobile dev. Please be intelligent and deal with it....)
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To: Mariner

Yep. No disagreements there. We’ve allowed traitors to thrive.


55 posted on 08/08/2017 10:57:06 AM PDT by WKUHilltopper (WKU 2016 Boca Raton Bowl Champions)
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To: Alter Kaker
Because if we erase North Korea, they definitely erase Seoul and Tokyo, killing millions and disrupting the global economy, and possibly erase Los Angeles, New York and Washington as well. That threat is the whole reason they got nukes in the first place.

Not if the US fires a missile at the most critical/valuable target in NK... armed...with just a note reading...

"Final Warming. The next one WILL be armed."

56 posted on 08/08/2017 10:59:26 AM PDT by publius911 (Less Tweets More Golf! it works!!!)
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To: crz
My hunch is that they would fire one off at HI and turn that place into glass first thing.

What would be the point?
They will get one shot only.

57 posted on 08/08/2017 11:02:36 AM PDT by publius911 (Less Tweets More Golf! it works!!!)
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To: Alter Kaker

They cannot set up a liquid-fueled ICBM while under aggressive assault by the USAF.

The existential transition is a solid fueled ICBM.

And, EMP surge will disable their launch electronics while on the surface waiting for that rocket to fuel.

Even if they get ONE off, we have missile defense that might get it.

It’s better to take that risk now, today, than at any day in the future.

Yes, I vote to launch a preemptive war, today.

And I live in a city that is ostensibly in Nork range.

And I call all the naysayers pussies and cowards that care not for the world their progeny will inherit.


58 posted on 08/08/2017 11:05:06 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Red Badger

Clinton,Bush and Obama have signed a death sentence for millions of people with their asinine and idiotic policies. America has been sold out by those shirking Constitutional responsibilities and out right treason. Who will die will be up to others. The more time we spend doing nothing,the more grave the threat. This was all by design initiated by Clinton perfected by Obama.


59 posted on 08/08/2017 11:05:25 AM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: Jim Noble

Dangerous nonsense. NK is not a stable or rational government. The destruction of NK AFTER the destruction of one or more American cities is not an acceptable trade off. Yeah tell me what to do next when NYC is devastated and NK has 100 more ICBM and SLBM to deliver. Want to trade 5 more cities? For Pyongyang?


60 posted on 08/08/2017 11:06:56 AM PDT by Williams (Stop tolerating the intolerant.)
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