Trump is so far out of his depth it's frightening and it amazes me the level of support he still has. I have not seen a Western leader less suited to govern in recent times.
He seems unable to see any point of view other than his own and I can't see how he can deal with international affairs - North Korea are running rings round him.
South Korea has issued a statement stating that it has seen indications that the North is preparing more missile launches possibly intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Whoever mentioned Dirty Wars to @SDAddick - sorry i can't remember who, thanks. That really was eye opening, really helped to join a few dots on other things. I generally view investigative journalists' take on war with heavy cynicism, and i went into this thinking the same - but it's a dark, dark world the US has created and has made me a little less certain on how this crisis plays out.
Well that would cripple the US economy overnight given our top trading partner is China soooooooo.......
You guys I'm starting to worry that negotiating complex foreign policy is much harder than negotiating Manhattan real estate.
Well, it would certainly remove (I'd guess) 90% plus of the non-food & beverage product from Walmart's shelves! (I wonder, too, if Trump knows that Walmart has 400+ stores in China that would likely be nationalised overnight?)
Well that would cripple the US economy overnight given our top trading partner is China soooooooo.......
You guys I'm starting to worry that negotiating complex foreign policy is much harder than negotiating Manhattan real estate.
Well, it would certainly remove (I'd guess) 90% plus of the non-food & beverage product from Walmart's shelves! (I wonder, too, if Trump knows that Walmart has 400+ stores in China that would likely be nationalised overnight?)
Good, they're proper shit! Carrefour is way better
Whoever mentioned Dirty Wars to @SDAddick - sorry i can't remember who, thanks. That really was eye opening, really helped to join a few dots on other things. I generally view investigative journalists' take on war with heavy cynicism, and i went into this thinking the same - but it's a dark, dark world the US has created and has made me a little less certain on how this crisis plays out.
Yeah, it's mind blowing stuff, eh. I spent hours reading stuff online after watching that, on the hope I'd find something to prove it was all made up.
I haven't said anything on this sensitive issue because I can't. But... I've been very disappointed in the way we (China) treat NK. We are being too nice. That's all I can say...
I would like to take the opportunity to once again recommend a book by Barbara Demick called..... Nothing to Envy. Anyone interested in knowing more and getting first hand insight into life in the crazy world of NK should read this superb eye opening book.
The Trump factor increases the risk tenfold here. He is just going to have enough of it at some point!
It's Trump's words that will do the damage, not his deeds. Thankfully he doesn't have complete control of the US nuclear/conventional arsenal. Mattis would almost certainly stop him doing anything stupid, and if not then the Generals would.
The Trump factor increases the risk tenfold here. He is just going to have enough of it at some point!
It's Trump's words that will do the damage, not his deeds. Thankfully he doesn't have complete control of the US nuclear/conventional arsenal. Mattis would almost certainly stop him doing anything stupid, and if not then the Generals would.
In some ways I wonder if it's a bit of a bonus to have him spouting off. That way state diplomats can go in and say look, you know what the boss thinks and he's a bit of a tit. How about we work together to sort something else.
Kind of extreme good cop bad cop, I just feel it's unlikely to be deliberate.
I haven't said anything on this sensitive issue because I can't. But... I've been very disappointed in the way we (China) treat NK. We are being too nice. That's all I can say...
Hi Jessie
The rather good BBC article linked below (if you're able to read it?) set's out clearly China's concerns and (limited) options in relation to NK, plus how many of the recent NK 'events' appear to be timed to embarrass China (probably because of it's support for the UN sanctions resolutions).
Every could do a lot worse than listen to Vlad the Lad on this
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said pursuing further sanctions against North Korea is "useless", saying "they'd rather eat grass than give up their nuclear programme".
The sooner everybody gets to grips with fact that their non-proliferation policies have failed and we're now in a deterrence situation the better. Putin is right, they are never giving the weapons up. Pursuing sanctions to that end hasn't worked in the past and won't in the future. Some estimates reckon that the NK armed forces take up to 50% of the country's GDP. The leaders don't care if the people starve to death, which they do in large numbers.
NK only has these weapons to protect its regime from Iraq/Libya type interventions. NK's use of these weapons in anger would result in the outcome they are most seeking to avoid. Everybody needs to calm down, but make it clear - NK can have their toys but shouldn't ever expect to be able use them, much like the rest of the world's nuclear arsenal.
The sooner everybody gets to grips with fact that their non-proliferation policies have failed and we're now in a deterrence situation the better. Putin is right, they are never giving the weapons up. Pursuing sanctions to that end hasn't worked in the past and won't in the future. Some estimates reckon that the NK armed forces take up to 50% of the country's GDP. The leaders don't care if the people starve to death, which they do in large numbers.
NK only has these weapons to protect its regime from Iraq/Libya type interventions. NK's use of these weapons in anger would result in the outcome they are most seeking to avoid. Everybody needs to calm down, but make it clear - NK can have their toys but shouldn't ever expect to be able use them, much like the rest of the world's nuclear arsenal.
I would like to take the opportunity to once again recommend a book by Barbara Demick called..... Nothing to Envy. Anyone interested in knowing more and getting first hand insight into life in the crazy world of NK should read this superb eye opening book.
I've read it and it's very interesting. If anyone wants this copy I can bring it on Saturday or whatever.
I would like to take the opportunity to once again recommend a book by Barbara Demick called..... Nothing to Envy. Anyone interested in knowing more and getting first hand insight into life in the crazy world of NK should read this superb eye opening book.
I've read it and it's very interesting. If anyone wants this copy I can bring it on Saturday or whatever.
Been reading this. Couldn't believe that all doctors were ordered to provide blood transfusions and skin grafts as well as foraging in the mountains for wild flowers to use in medicines!!
I would like to take the opportunity to once again recommend a book by Barbara Demick called..... Nothing to Envy. Anyone interested in knowing more and getting first hand insight into life in the crazy world of NK should read this superb eye opening book.
Thanks but I was going to read Still Standing by Kerry Katona.
Will be a lot more fun for a bullet to whizz through the centre parting of Kim lad
You cut him down, another will rise, and with a vengeance too. Violence is not, at this stage, even close to being the answer.
Cut out the Kims and North Korea will get annexed by the south or (more likely imo) china. The only reason North Korea still exists is it's a buffer state for china and the US/Japan.
Violence isn't the answer because South Korea would be flattened quite quickly. The only way to topple the North Koreans is for china to stop any trade they have with the country. But that would more likely lead to a coup rather than the state collapsing.
Also, who wants a failed state with access to nuclear weapons? The whole thing is a pandoras box
The Trump factor increases the risk tenfold here. He is just going to have enough of it at some point!
It's Trump's words that will do the damage, not his deeds. Thankfully he doesn't have complete control of the US nuclear/conventional arsenal. Mattis would almost certainly stop him doing anything stupid, and if not then the Generals would.
I'm sorry to say that it's the POTUS and he alone who has the power to command a nuclear strike, and there is no provision for any second opinion. Since Trump is unstable and a fucking moron, I am very worried.
Comments
He seems unable to see any point of view other than his own and I can't see how he can deal with international affairs - North Korea are running rings round him.
Anyone interested in knowing more and getting first hand insight into life in the crazy world of NK should read this superb eye opening book.
Kind of extreme good cop bad cop, I just feel it's unlikely to be deliberate.
The rather good BBC article linked below (if you're able to read it?) set's out clearly China's concerns and (limited) options in relation to NK, plus how many of the recent NK 'events' appear to be timed to embarrass China (probably because of it's support for the UN sanctions resolutions).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41141099
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41158281
NK only has these weapons to protect its regime from Iraq/Libya type interventions. NK's use of these weapons in anger would result in the outcome they are most seeking to avoid. Everybody needs to calm down, but make it clear - NK can have their toys but shouldn't ever expect to be able use them, much like the rest of the world's nuclear arsenal.
Couldn't believe that all doctors were ordered to provide blood transfusions and skin grafts as well as foraging in the mountains for wild flowers to use in medicines!!
Violence isn't the answer because South Korea would be flattened quite quickly. The only way to topple the North Koreans is for china to stop any trade they have with the country. But that would more likely lead to a coup rather than the state collapsing.
Also, who wants a failed state with access to nuclear weapons? The whole thing is a pandoras box