04 April 2013

North Korea: moment of explosion or bluff? And why Kim Jong Un is not crazy.

The Norks are doing it in the usual style, which is not to say much if there is no quote:

We formally inform the White House and Pentagon that the ever-escalating U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and its reckless nuclear threat will be smashed by the strong will of all the united service personnel and people and cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means of the DPRK and that the merciless operation of its revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.
And the added advice to the White House:
The U.S. had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation.
There is much to ponder indeed. The empty rhetoric is rising in pitch to serious heights, and who can really say how empty it is?

Professor Stephan Haggard thinks he can say it and he does. Not that there is much new in what he has to offer and, besides, the article contains its share of "probably" and "possibly". And his view of the NK being able to claim a victory in the staring down contest is somewhat soothing:
The result is that North Korea's exercises and threats of retaliation have been successful in deterring attack, even though none was coming. The regime can claim some sort of victory in staring down American threats in its two big political meetings this week, the timing of which suggest that some of the rhetoric has been driven by domestic politics.
Indeed, the prevailing opinion is that the threats are mostly empty ones, but when a spoiled brat who was raised as a heir to a barely human dictator, is raving, who can predict the outcome? Who can say with confidence that a nervous facial tic of the brat wouldn't be interpreted by an overeager general as a launch command?

Well, let's wait.

16 comments:

SnoopyTheGoon said...

And there is a point where you can't go back on your words without action. At least if you want to keep your dictator job.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Precisely what I think - but I didn't want to write it down for fear of a true prophecy. We might be very close to this situation.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Iran, North Korea, Russia, China, etc have all taken Obama measure and found in him an agreeable fool. Watch for for a move in the Mideast now by Syria, Iran, etc while the North Koreans keep our attention. All a very dangerous game. I rarely recommend sites (it's a kinda annoying, really), but I can't resist http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2013/04/03/finally-one-world/.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

If the US had a strong leader it would be Kim who would back down. As it stands, Obama is practicing his bowing.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Bowing or bowling? Whatever, that's true. We shall see what happens, I guess.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

He is fairly insightful, tempered with a lot of experience. Since his views usually coincide with mine is another validation of his smartness.

The link offerer; I see it a lot where not just one but veritable blizzard of them emanate forth from a commenter.
Anyway Mr. Snoopy we're in a fascinating, but oooh baby dangerous time.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Usually when you see a blizzard of links - it is spam in most cases.

Yes, and of course you know that Chinese curse about interesting times. I have to state that I dearly wish to spend a single boring year in my life. Be a nice change.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

" I dearly wish to spend a single boring year in my life" try reading 'A History of the Swedish People', there is not enough crystal meth in all the world to keep you awake past page 5.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Wretchard is the best. You should read his novel, "No Way In," if you haven't yet.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

He's just angling for money. As soon as Obutthead gives him some he'll shut up.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

I think I know what you mean ;-)

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Wretchard? Can't say the name is familiar and I can't find anything of that title in the intertubes. Assistance required!

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Going to.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

That's one of the Belmont Club blogger names or of Fernandezs' cat, I think.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Who can say with confidence that a nervous facial tic of the brat wouldn't be interpreted by an overeager general as a launch command?

I guess the question is whether they have anything worth launching.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Well, as far as conventional missiles are concerned, I hear that they have quite a lot. With the modern heavy missiles you don't necessarily need a nuke to level a city.