How best to deal with North Korea

[Ransom]

We have a vital interst to not have a US city be attacked by North Korea or worse an EMP attack.

Keep going Peter. That is one of the vital interests, obviously if a US city even if on Hawaii or Alaska can be attacked by North Korea, that is a game changer. What of our ally Japan and South Korea? What of navigation on the East and South China Seas? What of our 30,000 US troops there Pete and their families, is that of vital national security interests or are those donttread's defense industry machine trying to get rich? See, I know you know this stuff Peter, what I find odd is your reluctance to voice these threats and geopolitical analyses and matrix. Why you purposefully underscore threat matrix once confused me, now I just find it odd as it's so obvious what you're doing.

That is why those previous incidents mentioned in Rolling's post above didn't uspet the US much and the potential for a North Korean nuclear strike does.

Yes...let us look at Rolling Wave's post as it needs serious editing. Sorry RW, nothing personal, but.....your premise of "just leave North Korea alone is the more reasonable and realistic approach" I must take issue with. The current struggles also not an 'excuse for a trade war with China', you almost seem to contradict your own arguments there and move towards the correct analysis. You push for market reforms in the North. That of course I hate to say will necessitate regime change. A military option where you cannot engage and be leaving NK alone at the same time. Secondly, you do mention China and the economic, diplomatic, and yes military pressure needs to come from China who is the major belligerent in this geopolitical scenario. North Korea is a threat to Japan, South Korea, the United States, navigation, free trade, and the entire Pacific Rim......and its' because China wants them to be. China....needs to be taken on full force and I do believe Trump understands that.

I guess you have to answer this question: is the North Korean government a rational actor or not. (I have argued several times that they were).

Well then stop guessing and answer, Peter. The answer is obviously yes. They're a real actor. Rational I cannot make that call, I do know the actor must have a Producer, a Director, a Facilitator, a Funder, someone to baby the actor, bring candy to the trailer on rainy days. Spoil the little insecure actresses.

[Ransom]

I believe it's time for Japan to build a stronger military. To establish a buffer. Historically brilliant naval tacticians and sailors. Togo up. And present a threat to North Korea capable of hostile blockade and invasion.

Then I suggest increasing the US forces in Korea substantially. Continue SK/US joint operations in and around the DMZ, make provocation after provocation. Lean north. Light up air forces of the NK's. Listen. And I would start shooting down missile tests before they exit NK 12 miles zones. Let's explain frankly to the Chinese....you either go get General Tso's Chicken off the menu and onto the Korean battlefield, or we're gonna dig MacArthur up and send him north.....and you saw what happened then.....it can happen again.

[Peter1469]

What does taking China on in full force amount to.

[Peter1469]

I believe it's time for Japan to build a stronger military. To establish a buffer. Historically brilliant naval tacticians and sailors. Togo up. And present a threat to North Korea capable of hostile blockade and invasion.

Then I suggest increasing the US forces in Korea substantially. Continue SK/US joint operations in and around the DMZ, make provocation after provocation. Lean north. Light up air forces of the NK's. Listen. And I would start shooting down missile tests before they exit NK 12 miles zones. Let's explain frankly to the Chinese....you either go get General Tso's Chicken off the menu and onto the Korean battlefield, or we're gonna dig MacArthur up and send him north.....and you saw what happened then.....it can happen again.

If we atttacked North Korea, the bulk of the ground fighting would be done by the 2nd Infantry Division and SK troops. The US would rely greatly on its air and naval power.

[Ransom]

If we atttacked North Korea, the bulk of the ground fighting would be done by the 2nd Infantry Division and SK troops. The US would rely greatly on its air and naval power.

Really? And you determined this all by yourself. Probably in concert with the SK military that would provide the bulk of the boots on the ground, ride the vanguard if you will regarding any military engagement.

[Ransom]

What does taking China on in full force amount to.

Economic, diplomatic, and military pressure. Explaining to them that the US will not tolerate this threat to our mainland, and that of our allies. Explain to the Chinese......that if they do not prevent North Korea from developing first strike capabilities.....we will. Keep all options on the table....not including military action.....but specifying that military action isn't off the table, in fact, very much part of our policy. We will not allow North Korea to present such a threat. Either you handle this obvious threat to the entire Pacific Rim....or we're going to. And if you stand in the way or try to confront either SK or US military forces.....you will be engaged no matter the color of the little star on your uniform. Don't fck with us.

[Tahuyaman]

Granny says bomb `em to smithereens.

Granny is old school.

[Tahuyaman]

Not a great scenario.

Let's hope cooler heads prevail.

Is there anyone in North Korea with a cooler head"?

We can have all the cooler headed diplomatic solutions we want, that doesn't mean North Korea is listening or cooperating.

[AeonPax]

`
Assassinate Kim Jong-un, his entire family circle and as many of his loyal military people as you can in one, swift stroke.

[Peter1469]

Really? And you determined this all by yourself. Probably in concert with the SK military that would provide the bulk of the boots on the ground, ride the vanguard if you will regarding any military engagement.

If there are any MEUs in the area they will join in too. I have not seen plans for follow on deployements of US troops. The point is the South Koreas should do the bulk of the ground fighting. It is their country. This not to say that the US forces in coutry won't be taking critical action.