A military strike against North Korea

No.

So what? The US is unwilling to use those weapons against, say, Russia, either in Syria or Ukraine, because of how well-armed the Russians are. A land invasion of Russia is basically out of the question. Russia is able to invade countries like Georgia and Ukraine without the US being willing to step in, because Russia is armed. We don't want other countries arming themselves so heavily. There are some countries where we simply have no choice in the matter. Invading China would be mind-boggingly difficult, even impossible. Same goes for Russia.

The same does not go for North Korea. That is a country we can do something about, and we just might.

Of course I do. Just as Russians are right to complain of anti-missile systems in Poland. We all want the upper hand, greater freedom of action.

Not many side against us. Indeed, most view us as an important counter-balance to potential regional hegemons, and even those potential regional hegemons usually find it more profitable to work with us to whatever extent they can bear.

We're in a very advantageous geopolitical position.

 

North Korea must push back against US weapons advancement and stockpiling. As long as NK continues their nuclear program they will be safe from further American aggression, holding both North and South Korea hostage with threats and sanctions. The best way to limit US aggression is to keep up their ability to counter-threat. The US has been demanding Korea pay tribute, essentially saying ”Do what we want or we will nuke you!”

North Korea has to foster its cooperation with China, Russia, and Iran as they are the only nations with testicles and will not be frightened off by American aggression. Saddam and Kadaffi learned too late ….. when they had already discontinued their WMD production. North Korea must never be so stupid. Kim realizes the grave need of WMD technology in the face of nations hostile towards NK. It is an easy situation to understand and NK is not eager to destroy anyone but must be aware and give considerations to firing upon the US if Kim is pushed too far as the regime in Washington continues to drive their aggression closer and closer to war.

 

Neither Russia nor China will intervene.

...with the objective of establishing an armistice which will insure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved,...

It's a cease-fire agreement, which North Korea has repeatedly violated over the last several decades. No final peace agreement was ever reached.

 

Uh... yeah. Because it will no doubt that the US will go on an offensive war, and not the one being attacked first.

As well as South Korea, and Japan. And the US fleet will be blown up by the Russia and China.

Probably not. If they go further than this, than it will lead to a slow genocide. That sounds illegal.

 

Both China and Russia will intervene.
They both have treaties to honour, have publicly stated they would and, after America's unexpected cruise missiles strike in Syria, blinked when Trump went on to threaten NK.
They deployed.

We know they will intervene. Just as we know they did last time.

 

The situation with NK is not analagous to the situation with either Iran or Iraq. Every situation is different and must be dealt with differently.

The Korean war started when communist NK forces, armed by the USSR, invaded the south. The US intervened as part of a UN operation to deal with what was clearly an unacceptable aggression against SK. NK has never given up its goal of taking over SK and has behaved in a very threatening way ever since the truce. Besides constantly making all kinds of verbal threats they have fired on SK islands, sunk SK ships, kidnapped Japanese citizens, and installed thousands of artillery pieces and missiles along the border pointed at Seoul. Now they are developing nukes. They have absolutely no grounds to complain about SK and the US staying prepared for an attack from NK when they behave in such a manner, and no one can blame the US for contemplating a pre-emptive strike to prevent an avowed enemy from developing long range nuclear capability.

 

If North Korea keeps firing missiles throughout this year like Hezbollah, the UN Security Council may back a military solution. Either way, both China and Russia need to be consulted by the Trump administration before launching a military strike against North Korea. President Bush's biggest mistake was going it alone after the UN Security Council refused to endorse the US-UK invasion and occupation of Iraq in March 2003.

 

NK's nuclear missile program is an on-going escalation.

 

The US has the right to defend itself and its allies.

 

They announced they would. So deal with it.

 

What demands has the US made on NK? That they stop torturing and starving people? Maybe. That they stop being belligerent, reckless, threatening a-holes to SK and Japan? Probably. Any others?

You don't know anything about NK's threats? When were you born, yesterday?

 

None of which is of importance.

Costs would be significant, but a war with China or Russia would not occur over NK.

The concept of "legal" is laughable in geopolitics.

 

In order to defend, you must be under attack.

And therein lies the problem.

 

Just stupid to drag something that happened 70 years ago out of the coffin and pretend that is still a current situation. There isn't even an USSR around.

 

It is. Since China and Russia will not defend if NK attacks first.

They said they would. Your opinion is worth nothing.

You go tell China and Russia that when they veto.

 

China said they will not defend vs retaliatory strikes. They will defend vs invasion or pre-emptive strikes.
I don't think Russia has tied itself down to any specific response, but it's deployment of it's military forces, including nuclear ones, sent a loud and clear message that it means to get involved.

 

It's worth a lot more than what they said.

The United States isn't weighing this decision on potential vetoes.

 

Your opinion matters more than the opinion of China and Russia?

The US can't make China and Russia comply with a non UNSC embargo.

 

NK has in the past committed acts of war against SK, like firing on a SK island and sinking a SK ship. These were unprovoked acts. Why should anyone not be worried about them building a nuclear arsenal?

 

Staying strong and ready is good defense. It shows would be attackers that attacking you would be a bad idea.
And sometimes a pre-emptive strike is the best defensive move depending on the situation.

 

I was explaining to you what led to the current situation, and it was not the fault of the US as you claim.

 

A massive air drop of ExLax might suffice.

 

A pre-emptive strike may be advisable, but by it's very nature it isn't ever defensive.

 

I hope you don't think political leaders speak their opinions freely.

Nor is the illegality of such an embargo what would drive their actions.

 

I'm thinking Ecstasy myself.
Probably a good idea to drop a load on America too.