North Korea again tested a nuclear weapon despite tough talk from the United States, its allies and the United Nations. The problem with everyone involved is North Korea just gets stern warnings.
North Korea is a rogue state under the influence of the Kim dynasty. Kim Jung Un's is young and inexperienced. As he tries to consolidate his power and put his people in place, the North Korean people continue to suffer hunger, repression and unimaginable fears and ills. To keep his people distracted from their peril, Kim creates phantom enemies and threats.
The most convenient enemy is the United States. The Kim dynasty continually conjures imaginary threats from the United States and South Korea. The government tells the people the USA is coming to attack North Korea. It's a similar tactic used by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. The Korean people have no outside information. The government controls all media and access to internet. North Koreans can't make a decision form themselves. Even if they don't believe official government sources, what alternative do they have? They definitely can't speak out and voice opinions.
I laughed when a friend of mine posted on Facebook "Yay Bill Richardson for going to N. Korea with google to open up Internet, and for standing up against nuclear testing...go, Bill go!" Richardson wasn't going to open up anything for North Korea. Google wasn't going to get new business either. I love my friend to death and she is one of the smartest people I know. However she is also very naive in understanding how the real world works. The Korean people, I sometimes drop the North because they are after all Korean, really want food and a decent living. They care about Richardson, Google or the internet.
So what is the solution to North Korean nuclear testing? Quit talking and toughen up sanctions. In the past, the USA and UN place embargoes but relent with food and fuel for the people. Unfortunately the people never get what they need. The ruling elite and the armed forces get fed.
This time, I hate to say it, but starving North Korea into submission seems the only real answer. No food or fuel for anyone. The outcomes are harsh but necessary. Starve the elite and the army and they turn on Kim. Starve the people and they get desperate and overthrow Kim or die. It may seem barbaric stance I take but short of war, there isn't much other recourse.
The United States must also make clear that any military provocation by North Korea will be met with equal or greater force. If they attack the South or Japan, the USA is taking the kid gloves off and taking out Pyongyang. I don't mean nuking the city but instead leveling all government offices, buildings and military targets. Also hitting the infrastructure that keeps the ruling elite comfortable while the people suffer. Also make clear that any nuclear attack on anyone will result in the annihilation of North Korea.
Unfortunately, I don't think President Barack Obama has the strength to make such a bold but necessary declaration.
North Korea is a rogue state under the influence of the Kim dynasty. Kim Jung Un's is young and inexperienced. As he tries to consolidate his power and put his people in place, the North Korean people continue to suffer hunger, repression and unimaginable fears and ills. To keep his people distracted from their peril, Kim creates phantom enemies and threats.
The most convenient enemy is the United States. The Kim dynasty continually conjures imaginary threats from the United States and South Korea. The government tells the people the USA is coming to attack North Korea. It's a similar tactic used by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. The Korean people have no outside information. The government controls all media and access to internet. North Koreans can't make a decision form themselves. Even if they don't believe official government sources, what alternative do they have? They definitely can't speak out and voice opinions.
I laughed when a friend of mine posted on Facebook "Yay Bill Richardson for going to N. Korea with google to open up Internet, and for standing up against nuclear testing...go, Bill go!" Richardson wasn't going to open up anything for North Korea. Google wasn't going to get new business either. I love my friend to death and she is one of the smartest people I know. However she is also very naive in understanding how the real world works. The Korean people, I sometimes drop the North because they are after all Korean, really want food and a decent living. They care about Richardson, Google or the internet.
So what is the solution to North Korean nuclear testing? Quit talking and toughen up sanctions. In the past, the USA and UN place embargoes but relent with food and fuel for the people. Unfortunately the people never get what they need. The ruling elite and the armed forces get fed.
This time, I hate to say it, but starving North Korea into submission seems the only real answer. No food or fuel for anyone. The outcomes are harsh but necessary. Starve the elite and the army and they turn on Kim. Starve the people and they get desperate and overthrow Kim or die. It may seem barbaric stance I take but short of war, there isn't much other recourse.
The United States must also make clear that any military provocation by North Korea will be met with equal or greater force. If they attack the South or Japan, the USA is taking the kid gloves off and taking out Pyongyang. I don't mean nuking the city but instead leveling all government offices, buildings and military targets. Also hitting the infrastructure that keeps the ruling elite comfortable while the people suffer. Also make clear that any nuclear attack on anyone will result in the annihilation of North Korea.
Unfortunately, I don't think President Barack Obama has the strength to make such a bold but necessary declaration.
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