North Korea Mega Thread

[GeorgiaModerate]

The recent executive order allowing the Air Force to recall retired pilots was mentioned here as a possible indication of forthcoming trouble.  But the Air Force now says they don't intend to use it:

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[GeorgiaModerate]

3 carriers in the region (big strategic step if a strike is ordered) https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/27/north-korea-us-operating-three-carriers-in-the-pacific.html

This is the single most likely sign of war I've seen. Far more ominous than belligerent tweets.

Trump will be in South Korea in a week. I really just think its a show of power.

Anyone think that Kim might choose Trump's visit to make some kind of demonstration (nuke or missile test)?

[GeorgiaModerate]

New missile launch, early indications that it landed within Japan's EEZ https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/28/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-report.html

Distance estimate:

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It's about 11,000 km from NK to NYC or Washington DC.

[GeorgiaModerate]

This is insane. Why do we allow lunatics to have such power?

Because he won the Electoral College.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Honestly, I think China should just annex North Korea.

I heard this summer when the North Korea stuff really started to heat up, that if any military action did happen, it would mostly consist of decapitation strikes by the USA, after which Chinese sleeper agents would gain control of the North Korean government and end any conflict with the promise of dismantling the nuclear program.

How realistic does that sound?

It sounds like a Tom Clancy novel.

[GeorgiaModerate]

For those of you who still need convincing how terrible even the most limited nuclear exchange would be:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/this-is-how-nuclear-war-with-north-korea-would-unfold/2017/12/08/4e298a28-db07-11e7-a841-2066faf731ef_story.html?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.afa6ab6663fd

Thanks for posting.  A fascinating and frightening read.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Lindsey Graham says there's a 30% chance US will strike NK, rising to 70% if they conduct another nuclear test: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/lindsey-graham-war-north-korea-trump/548381/

[GeorgiaModerate]

Lindsey Graham says there's a 30% chance US will strike NK, rising to 70% if they conduct another nuclear test: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/lindsey-graham-war-north-korea-trump/548381/

Missile or nuclear?

Nuclear.  The full quote is:

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[GeorgiaModerate]

Lindsey Graham says there's a 30% chance US will strike NK, rising to 70% if they conduct another nuclear test: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/lindsey-graham-war-north-korea-trump/548381/

Missile or nuclear?

Nuclear.  The full quote is:

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That quote doesn't  necessarily imply the US will use nuclear missiles though?  All it says that is that as a result of DPRK testing another nuclear weapon, their is a strong chance of a military response; that could be conventional.

That's how I interpret it.  He's saying that if NK tests another nuke, there's a 70% chance that the US will respond with some (unspecified) military option.

[GeorgiaModerate]

North Korea appears likely to perform another ICBM test this week or next week: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/north-korea-resumes-missile-activity-south-olympics-talks/