Aw, and I thought we were special.

Recent poll: Trustworthy partners of Germany.  US ties with Russia.

Golly - the G20 Summit in Hamburg in a few days should be fun.

and ...

Sideface:

and ...

Fred99:

 

Recent poll: Trustworthy partners of Germany.  US ties with Russia.

 

Golly - the G20 Summit in Hamburg in a few days should be fun.

 

 

 

But we really mean the G19....

Fun? Most certainly will be. I expect tweets of handshakes and cuddles. As my late Nana would say, "mark my words" As she listens to the wireless, as might well I as well!!

The Guardian - China-Russia diplomatic double act exposes Trump's crudeness

The leaders of China and Russia have vowed to work together to peacefully defuse the deepening crisis over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes – a diplomatic double act that contrasts sharply with Donald Trump’s crude threats and pressure tactics.

 

The joint declaration reflected a broader, ongoing strategic Sino-Russian alignment that has passed largely unremarked in the west. It has been encouraged by Trump’s often erratic, unfocused behaviour, and the resulting opportunities and dangers arising from weakened American global leadership.

 

The China-Russia juggernaut is beginning to roll. And like a comic-strip fall-guy with his legs tied to the rails, Trump lies directly in its path. ...

The softly-softly from Russia and China hasn't done much to reign in the DPRK over the last few decades though.

kryptonjohn:

 

The softly-softly from Russia and China hasn't done much to reign in the DPRK over the last few decades though.

 

 

 

Nothing's going to reign them in.

They know that at any time they can kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people, both within the DPRK and in Seoul. They also know that any conflict that kicks off will quickly escalate into a war between major powers. Therefore, they know there is bugger all that anyone can do to bring them down. Kim is neither insane nor unpredictable. He knows all he has to do is periodically remind everyone he has a bunch of hostages and the worst that will happen is a strongly worded letter from the United Nations. 

With that in mind, everything the DPRK does makes complete sense.

kryptonjohn:

 

The softly-softly from Russia and China hasn't done much to reign in the DPRK over the last few decades though.

 

 

 

Maybe so, but its a perfect opportunity to show USA/Trump, that you aren't really that important anymore, we will sort this out, have a nice day. With the US in a decrepid state re infrastructure, debt, and Trump, good timing to move the global importance around

SaltyNZ:

 

kryptonjohn:

 

The softly-softly from Russia and China hasn't done much to reign in the DPRK over the last few decades though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing's going to reign them in.

 

They know that at any time they can kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people, both within the DPRK and in Seoul. They also know that any conflict that kicks off will quickly escalate into a war between major powers. Therefore, they know there is bugger all that anyone can do to bring them down. Kim is neither insane nor unpredictable. He knows all he has to do is periodically remind everyone he has a bunch of hostages and the worst that will happen is a strongly worded letter from the United Nations. 

 

With that in mind, everything the DPRK does makes complete sense.

 

They do hold all the cards. And with DPRK, Russia, and China intertwined, its really an East vs West issue. A Warm War if you like. US is better off walking away, on the premise that one attack on us will be returned forthwith, but even that's just words. The US needs to have a Defence budget, note the word defence.

tdgeek:

 

 

 

They do hold all the cards. And with DPRK, Russia, and China intertwined, its really an East vs West issue. A Warm War if you like. US is better off walking away, on the premise that one attack on us will be returned forthwith, but even that's just words. The US needs to have a Defence budget, note the word defence.

 

Indeed. Got to have some reason for all those shiny stealth fighters, laser & railgun weapons, and newer, kablammier nuclear warheads. Of course in reality North Korea is no threat whatsoever to the US. Missile defense systems are pointless against Russia or China who can easily overwhelm it with more dummies, but North Korea are never going to be in a position to lob a thousand warheads - real or otherwise - at the US. Now, regionally, it's a different story: many credible estimates put them at around 500 usable Scud derivative missiles, which is more than enough to overwhelm THAAD in the Seoul region, for example, allowing a follow-up shot with a real nuke. But the US? No, they are under no threat.

I don't understand why everyone is so freaked out by the chubby one testing an ICBM. Even if the North Koreans could build a dozen of these, launching even one at the USA would immediately result in the DPRK being wiped from the face of the earth, even if that meant taking South Korea with it. So what is in it for Kim? He can bluster all he likes but even he is unlikely to do anything that dumb.

Rikkitic:

 

I don't understand why everyone is so freaked out by the chubby one testing an ICBM. Even if the North Koreans could build a dozen of these, launching even one at the USA would immediately result in the DPRK being wiped from the face of the earth, even if that meant taking South Korea with it. So what is in it for Kim? He can bluster all he likes but even he is unlikely to do anything that dumb.

 

 

 

 

 

He won't, no, but he has to prove that he can. Deterrence only works if people believe you. That's why (for example) Russia and the US both run missile tests several times a year. It's proof they all still work.

"Sir... Sir, the car is back there, waiting for you"

Something is really wrong with his head...

 

I swear to God Trump is sundowning.
Here he is, confused, wandering away from his limo.
He had to be redirected.#25thAmendmentNow pic.twitter.com/0ZZOMTMd1k

 

— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) July 4, 2017