North Korea - how serious should we take them?
Discussion
jmorgan said:
If it is confirmed, who else is in line?
Errr...those posts on the photoshop thread puporting to be my work, they were definitely not my work and I publically denounce those who ridicule The Great Leader of the Norks and will make it my tireless, lifelong labour to bring my impersonator to justice for this outrage against the great man, nay, god, even.Cobnapint said:
Throwing his weight around about isn't he? Killing potential opponents on foreign soil - that's normally the preserve of the big-boys, like Russia, who have something to back it up if it all kicks off.
Well perhaps he 'has' got something to back it up. We're 5, or is it 6, nuclear warhead tests down the line, and dozens of missile tests too, with the latest one making it half way to Japan before plopping into the sea.
The sanctions have done nothing.
Unless somebody, somewhere, does something, other than turning up at the UN, condemning the test then retiring to their 5 star hotel, that lunatic is going to be in possession of the big stuff.
Which is the point he will change his behaviour... Well perhaps he 'has' got something to back it up. We're 5, or is it 6, nuclear warhead tests down the line, and dozens of missile tests too, with the latest one making it half way to Japan before plopping into the sea.
The sanctions have done nothing.
Unless somebody, somewhere, does something, other than turning up at the UN, condemning the test then retiring to their 5 star hotel, that lunatic is going to be in possession of the big stuff.
Whilst he's effectively of no harm to anyone but himself, he can f
k about all he pleases. Gain the ability to do real harm, and the big boys explain the facts.No longer can he unilaterally decide to launch anything bigger than a firework - big boys can't take the risk it's a first strike, and will press the button.
No longer can he play daft games at the borders - big boys can't take the risk and will press the button.
No longer can he rant and rave about righteous wars against the US - any hint of movement and the big boys can't take the risk and will press the button.
These facts of life once you think you're the b
ks with your nukes temper the 'maddest' dictators.There's the anecdote about when China developed the nuke. Compared to even the USSR, they thought that MAD didn't apply to them - too big, too mountainous, population too spread out.
Fifteen minutes later shown a map of China with blast and kill radii marked up (using a fraction of the arsenal), and they shut up pretty damned quickly - and haven't been anywhere near as strident internationally since...
mybrainhurts said:
jmorgan said:
If it is confirmed, who else is in line?
Errr...those posts on the photoshop thread puporting to be my work, they were definitely not my work and I publically denounce those who ridicule The Great Leader of the Norks and will make it my tireless, lifelong labour to bring my impersonator to justice for this outrage against the great man, nay, god, even.
Good luck with that one. Will you be choosing your punishment of death by firing squad, dogs or mortar?
Cobnapint said:
Throwing his weight around about isn't he? Killing potential opponents on foreign soil - that's normally the preserve of the big-boys, like Russia, who have something to back it up if it all kicks off.
Well perhaps he 'has' got something to back it up. We're 5, or is it 6, nuclear warhead tests down the line, and dozens of missile tests too, with the latest one making it half way to Japan before plopping into the sea.
The sanctions have done nothing.
Unless somebody, somewhere, does something, other than turning up at the UN, condemning the test then retiring to their 5 star hotel, that lunatic is going to be in possession of the big stuff.
In reality, nothing can be done. North Korea is basically China's buffer to the West. Nuke tech back in the day came from China (and Russia), while the bigger new missiles come from China (and Russia).Well perhaps he 'has' got something to back it up. We're 5, or is it 6, nuclear warhead tests down the line, and dozens of missile tests too, with the latest one making it half way to Japan before plopping into the sea.
The sanctions have done nothing.
Unless somebody, somewhere, does something, other than turning up at the UN, condemning the test then retiring to their 5 star hotel, that lunatic is going to be in possession of the big stuff.
If China wanted to, it could slapdown or shutdown North Korea overnight. But China chooses not to, because it is a useful regional ally in Asia that gives China more power and influence (both in front of and behind the scenes).
FredClogs said:
sanguinary said:
One of the suspects apparently. Subtle choice of clothing. 
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/15/c...
Something quite Jokeresque about this. http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/15/c...
sanguinary said:
mybrainhurts said:
jmorgan said:
If it is confirmed, who else is in line?
Errr...those posts on the photoshop thread puporting to be my work, they were definitely not my work and I publically denounce those who ridicule The Great Leader of the Norks and will make it my tireless, lifelong labour to bring my impersonator to justice for this outrage against the great man, nay, god, even.Good luck with that one. Will you be choosing your punishment of death by firing squad, dogs or mortar?
In the name of pity, what should I do?
Offer him pie?
mybrainhurts said:
Yipper said:
Some are speculating the lady in the photo was a man in drag with a fake wig, nose and curves.
Curves? Do you mean Norks?
More info leaking out on the attack today. Looks like the agents / hired-help followed him to the only time when he was without his bodyguards (at airport checkin), one distracted while the other stuck a poisoned cloth or glove over his face for a couple seconds (some speculate it was hydrogen cyanide). He was fine for a minute or two, then went blind with pain 5-10 minutes later, followed by soaring blood pressure and possibly cardiac arrest about 10-20 minutes later. Absolutely brutal way to go.
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/02/212797/jong-nam...
Yipper said:
In reality, nothing can be done. North Korea is basically China's buffer to the West. Nuke tech back in the day came from China (and Russia), while the bigger new missiles come from China (and Russia).
If China wanted to, it could slapdown or shutdown North Korea overnight. But China chooses not to, because it is a useful regional ally in Asia that gives China more power and influence (both in front of and behind the scenes).
Quite agree. China is playing the game with two seperate decks of cards. They cosy up to the west by slinging the odd condemnation of NK in so we keep buying their sh*t, while at the same time being the only source of global entry into Pyongyang (via Beijing airport) and main economic aid in the way of food and oil.If China wanted to, it could slapdown or shutdown North Korea overnight. But China chooses not to, because it is a useful regional ally in Asia that gives China more power and influence (both in front of and behind the scenes).
Did anybody notice the modern flat screen monitors pie boy and the auto-clap brigade were watching the latest missile test on the other day? Well they certainly didn't come from the local Pyongyang branch of PC World.
And last Septembers nuke test was conducted less than 50 miles from the Chinese border sending tremors through homes and schools in China's North East - it never got a mention on China’s state-run evening television news.
China is keeping NK and it's bloated military and upcoming ICBMs on-side should it need any 'assistance' in a conflict with the west - and NK will be more than willing to oblige because if China falls, so does NK.
Edited by Cobnapint on Friday 17th February 21:48
Why does China still want or need NK as a regional ally?
Surely China is wealthy enough and big enough to do whatever it wants with or without NK support?
Why would China lose anything if the NK regime failed?
I'm struggling to think of much that NK bring in that China have not already got or could easily get without them.
Surely China is wealthy enough and big enough to do whatever it wants with or without NK support?
Why would China lose anything if the NK regime failed?
I'm struggling to think of much that NK bring in that China have not already got or could easily get without them.
cymtriks said:
Why does China still want or need NK as a regional ally?
Surely China is wealthy enough and big enough to do whatever it wants with or without NK support?
Why would China lose anything if the NK regime failed?
I'm struggling to think of much that NK bring in that China have not already got or could easily get without them.
Perhaps just a physical barrier ?Surely China is wealthy enough and big enough to do whatever it wants with or without NK support?
Why would China lose anything if the NK regime failed?
I'm struggling to think of much that NK bring in that China have not already got or could easily get without them.
WTF ! Woman thought she was part of a TV prank show !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39010244?ocid...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39010244?ocid...
MartG said:
WTF ! Woman thought she was part of a TV prank show !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39010244?ocid...
That went well. I'll have to remember that one...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39010244?ocid...
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