Yes. I saw an interview with a Norwegian who was in a hotel room in Pyongyang at the time. The bed he was in actually did move because of the explosion. When he got down to the lobby the test was reported on state-controlled TV and the Koreans there cheered and seemed genuinely proud. There are two ways of explaining the recent actions of the regime. They could be testing the new president in the US, but I think it's more likely they think their country/regime is under threat and they need to show strength.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
North Korea will eventually go too far and the result of this will not be favourable to them. As they are led by a madman their annihilation is all too possible a scenario. Trump will not be a president who sits back and twiddles his thumbs as Obama often did. We've seen him take resolute action against Syria and Afghanistan. North Korea is next on the agenda.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
North Korea will eventually go too far and the result of this will not be favourable to them. As they are led by a madman their annihilation is all too possible a scenario. Trump will not be a president who sits back and twiddles his thumbs as Obama often did. We've seen him take resolute action against Syria and Afghanistan. North Korea is next on the agenda.
I have just watched an television interview on the news with a lady who is a refugee from North Korea who now lives in England. I could not tell much of what she was saying because of her accent but I did hear her talking about what the North Korean people know about the news and the west. She said they only have one tv channel one newspaper and one radio channel but most of the time the electricity is not working so they do not see this or even get to read the newspaper. I thought it was interesting when she said that many people have fled North Korea to China and even South Korea and now many of these people have underground contact with their family and so news of what happens in the outside world does get through to the North Korean people.
I still wonder how far the real support for the dictator goes with the people and the military? I could really not see them wanting to fight too hard? But of course I could be wrong.
North Korea will eventually go too far and the result of this will not be favourable to them. As they are led by a madman their annihilation is all too possible a scenario. Trump will not be a president who sits back and twiddles his thumbs as Obama often did. We've seen him take resolute action against Syria and Afghanistan. North Korea is next on the agenda.
Amen
One of the problems is that "resolute action" is likely to lead to "resolute" action" from Kim Jun Un, re-enforcing a spiral that may very well end in war. A war will probably end in the fall of his regime, but also to huge civilian losses north and south of the border and possible nuclear war. Unlike in Syria and Afghanistan, Trump taking "resolute action" might actually lead to something and that worries me deeply.
North Korea will eventually go too far and the result of this will not be favourable to them. As they are led by a madman their annihilation is all too possible a scenario. Trump will not be a president who sits back and twiddles his thumbs as Obama often did. We've seen him take resolute action against Syria and Afghanistan. North Korea is next on the agenda.
Amen
So far, Trumps "showing big balls" talk failed miserably because Fat Kim continued his programme without hesitation.
His "resolute actions" in Syria and Afghanistan have been symbols - no substance at all!
Just imagine if there was the POTUS campaigning now - how he would rant about the current leadership and their "stupidity, weakness and "thumb twiddling"".
I don't think that this conflict has the potential to lead into a World War but one thing is for sure:
The people from South Korea and Japan will pay the price of a military strike initiated from the US side.
Because of that I don't see a realistic alternative to talks, sanctions and alliances though this may sound lame to some of the falcons 8-)
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
This situation is going to deteriorate I fear. NK have caused an earthquake felt through China and Russia, I wouldn't be surprised if NK news isn't showing footage of the flooding in the US as a result of their power. Kim Jong Un is on a role I think he believes his own hype and propaganda.
I just checked the NATO articles in regard to Guam. The "all for one, one for all" ethos is wonderful. But it only applies if NATO member territories in Europe or north America are attacked. That's why NATO wasn't involved in the Falklands war. NATO would have joined if an attack had been made on territories such as Gibraltar or the Svalbard/Spitsbergen Islands.
I just checked the NATO articles in regard to Guam. The "all for one, one for all" ethos is wonderful. But it only applies if NATO member territories in Europe or north America are attacked. That's why NATO wasn't involved in the Falklands war. NATO would have joined if an attack had been made on territories such as Gibraltar or the Svalbard/Spitsbergen Islands.
Yes it's simply the north Atlantic treaty. From what I'm reading Japan are becoming increasingly upset as are south Korea, Japan has anti ballistic capabilities in line with the US programme, I can see this being deployed. Last night NK moved a missile to a new firing location.
To nit-pick (sometimes I do that) NATO is in effect the North American-European Treaty in spite of the name. Countries such as Italy, Greece , Poland and Turkey aren't north Atlantic. It seems the UK might join a possible war in Korea even though they don't have to:
President Donald Trump has made it clear that all options remain on the table for dealing with North Korea, and during her overnight flight to Osaka Mrs May was asked four times by journalists if she would rule out joining military action against the Kim regime. Each time, she refused to address the question directly.
Primarily nato is a defence treaty whereby the 29 members agree to defend each other in that region it of course includes Canada I'm not sure why it was named as such? of course hostilities outside of the region are not really Nato business. I don't think the UK would enter into direct action but would offer support with logistics etc where needed but between south Korea, the US, Japan I think they can cope without the UK. Now Putin is starting to rattle his sabre in Kim Jong Uns direction.
If there ever is a war I too think it will be between NK on one side and SK and US on the other. If Japan didn't have a Constitution that forbids them to take part in warfare abroad I think they would join too. It's quite possible Australia and NZ could get involved since the NK missiles can reach them too.
I have a mate in the industry who is keeping me posted on Bond 25 and it turns out it will incorporate the North Korea narrative quite heavily, they just waiting to see how things turn out.
The working titles is 'When The Fat Boy Sings'. Another is 'Begging For War'.
That smug, twinkley-eyed news announcer features as an Irma Bunt character. One key scene already written has Bond chasing her round the studio with a ping-pong bat. 'That's China's contribution' he quips.
If there ever is a war I too think it will be between NK on one side and SK and US on the other. If Japan didn't have a Constitution that forbids them to take part in warfare abroad I think they would join too. It's quite possible Australia and NZ could get involved since the NK missiles can reach them too.
As I said Japan has the anti ballistic missile system and I can see them using it if NK launches in their direction again, but they cannot participate in any preemptive strike or invasion. I think the US can handle this on their own easily, and with South Korea also involved NK stands no chance of any form of success.
Interesting developments over in the Korean peninsula, while Kim Jong Un calls trump a Barking dog, Seoul has approved an 8 million dollar package to help feed the malnourished citizens of the North.
As south Korea is allied to the US and Trump called for no nation to have dealings with NK how will this play out?
The Pentagon has calculated that a conventional war with NK will cost about 20 000 lives in South Korea per day. In addition many lives will be lost in NK, the US military and possibly in Japan.
If the war goes nuclear the losses will be even worse.
The "positive" side is that any nuclear Korean war will most likely be regional. The wild card is China. If American atomic missiles are fired against NK, how will China react? Will they retaliate in fear that the missiles may be aimed at them? Will they support NK because they fear a smoking nuclear ruin on their doorstep and millions of refugees crossing the Sino-Korean border? It's not the most likely scenario, but it's not impossible.
It's like they always say once you have cocked your weapon you have 2 choices - pull the trigger or back down - interesting times ahead.
Personally I think China and Russia will step in to put NK back in their box. No one really wants a fight in that region. But when you have two nuts in a bowl they are bound to swirl around a bit and clash once in a while.
Cheers :007)
My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
It's like they always say once you have cocked your weapon you have 2 choices - pull the trigger or back down - interesting times ahead.
Personally I think China and Russia will step in to put NK back in their box. No one really wants a fight in that region. But when you have two nuts in a bowl they are bound to swirl around a bit and clash once in a while.
Well i hope the world leaders come to their senses 8-) , I think your average NK citizen dosent have a scooby doo of the real world ,
out side of what they have been brainwashed with by their glorious leaders ,If they only knew of the fire power that the USA have at their disposal ,parked up on their door step ,Kim Jon Un would be soon kicked out ,im sure your average NK citizen is probably a nice bloke ,and just wants for his family ,the same as the rest of us . So lets hope someone can solve this situation very soon ,
It's curious how what used to be the ultimate last resort and deterrent is now being discussed as the first line of offence, pre-emptive strike material even.
Even though the NK nuclear arsenal might be relatively low yield, the stuff the USA would strike with certainly has more of a kick about it, likewise so does neighbouring China. The cocktail of toys on the table have the potential to effect everyone on the planet.
With recent news reporting the existence of 'direct communications' between the USA and NK, could this signal the beginning of negotiations?
Uncle Kim has to stick to his word to avoid loosing face to his people. No doubt any negotiation with the western world would be spun into some kind of 'upper hand' 'doing them a favour' type bollocks to make it appear Kimmy is the better man.
If negotiations don't take place, and military intervention takes place I think NK will soon regret it.
Like previously said, what's more important is how China reacts to a possible nuclear conflict on its doorstep.
Comments
I still wonder how far the real support for the dictator goes with the people and the military? I could really not see them wanting to fight too hard? But of course I could be wrong.
One of the problems is that "resolute action" is likely to lead to "resolute" action" from Kim Jun Un, re-enforcing a spiral that may very well end in war. A war will probably end in the fall of his regime, but also to huge civilian losses north and south of the border and possible nuclear war. Unlike in Syria and Afghanistan, Trump taking "resolute action" might actually lead to something and that worries me deeply.
So far, Trumps "showing big balls" talk failed miserably because Fat Kim continued his programme without hesitation.
His "resolute actions" in Syria and Afghanistan have been symbols - no substance at all!
Just imagine if there was the POTUS campaigning now - how he would rant about the current leadership and their "stupidity, weakness and "thumb twiddling"".
I don't think that this conflict has the potential to lead into a World War but one thing is for sure:
The people from South Korea and Japan will pay the price of a military strike initiated from the US side.
Because of that I don't see a realistic alternative to talks, sanctions and alliances though this may sound lame to some of the falcons 8-)
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I felt like letting off a bomb after I saw that film.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
You wont have a problem with bombs if you eat more fibre
President Donald Trump has made it clear that all options remain on the table for dealing with North Korea, and during her overnight flight to Osaka Mrs May was asked four times by journalists if she would rule out joining military action against the Kim regime. Each time, she refused to address the question directly.
(from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/29/britain-calls-sanctions-north-korea-wake-missile-test/)
The working titles is 'When The Fat Boy Sings'. Another is 'Begging For War'.
That smug, twinkley-eyed news announcer features as an Irma Bunt character. One key scene already written has Bond chasing her round the studio with a ping-pong bat. 'That's China's contribution' he quips.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
It sounds much better than DAD
As I said Japan has the anti ballistic missile system and I can see them using it if NK launches in their direction again, but they cannot participate in any preemptive strike or invasion. I think the US can handle this on their own easily, and with South Korea also involved NK stands no chance of any form of success.
As south Korea is allied to the US and Trump called for no nation to have dealings with NK how will this play out?
If the war goes nuclear the losses will be even worse.
Personally I think China and Russia will step in to put NK back in their box. No one really wants a fight in that region. But when you have two nuts in a bowl they are bound to swirl around a bit and clash once in a while.
Cheers :007)
out side of what they have been brainwashed with by their glorious leaders ,If they only knew of the fire power that the USA have at their disposal ,parked up on their door step ,Kim Jon Un would be soon kicked out ,im sure your average NK citizen is probably a nice bloke ,and just wants for his family ,the same as the rest of us . So lets hope someone can solve this situation very soon ,
Even though the NK nuclear arsenal might be relatively low yield, the stuff the USA would strike with certainly has more of a kick about it, likewise so does neighbouring China. The cocktail of toys on the table have the potential to effect everyone on the planet.
With recent news reporting the existence of 'direct communications' between the USA and NK, could this signal the beginning of negotiations?
Uncle Kim has to stick to his word to avoid loosing face to his people. No doubt any negotiation with the western world would be spun into some kind of 'upper hand' 'doing them a favour' type bollocks to make it appear Kimmy is the better man.
If negotiations don't take place, and military intervention takes place I think NK will soon regret it.
Like previously said, what's more important is how China reacts to a possible nuclear conflict on its doorstep.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
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