http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40329269/ns/world_news-asiapacific/?GT1=43001
Not that I'm any kind of international foreign policy expert but I don't think the actions by NK including the sinking of a SK ship earlier this year by one of their subs was done to provoke war. China doesn't want any kind of a major conflict on account of the flood of North Korean refugees that would take place. However, the US has known for sometime that the North was building another nuclear facility and we've largely stayed silent publicly. In the meantime, AFAIK, we still honor the agreements with the North with regards to shipments of fuel, food, and medicine. From the North's POV, we look like the world's biggest ******* and suckers. Also, given the recent Presidential trip overseas where we failed to get some of the things desired, our stature WRT NK as well as China is somewhat diminished. Throw in that Kim Jong Il's son is being positioned as NK's future leader and this is a way of solidifying that within the country, I just see it all as NK just f****** with us in order to get additional concessions so they can continue with their political plans while we kick in additional aid. China really doesn't care too much seeing that NK is their top ho which they'll step on if they go over the line.
I think it's high time that China gives North Korea a slap up the side of the head and says "Just WTF do you think you're doing!?" However, short of all-out war, it's probably in the Chinese government's cynical interest to let NK continue to be a thorn in the side of SK, Japan and the US.
It's grandstanding. China makes all of our stuff the last thing they want is to be blowing that deal.
North Korea can level Seoul with artillery very quickly. We are more likely to invade Iran. Neither is happening though we've had enough war for a while IMO.
Well, it's an act of war to hit SK territory as well. If an American installation is hit, a measured response would still be required. A couple of stray shells wouldn't, and shouldn't, trigger a general conflict. A deliberate and significant targeting of an American installation would be a different matter altogether. I would think that NK doesn't want all out war - they just like to stir sh*t every now and then. They have wing nuts running the country and the regime should've been turfed long ago. Of course, the only reason that hasn't happened is China, of course. They will not tolerate an invasion of - or even large air strikes - on NK. For one, it's in China's interest to have NK keeping everybody off-balance. Plus, they don't want refugees streaming across their border.
You're right about no political threads and this is a good example of why I'd like to be able to edit my own posts after more than 5 minutes- I would remove that part and if a moderator could do that, it would be appreciated greatly.
And he can edit it.I wouldn't worry about it. A moderator created this thread.
175.45.179.68 is also interesting, more content, the translations are awful but that's a lot of the fun and it's from the source.
