52 per cent of Republicans would support postponing the 2020 election because of voter fraud.

So, will NK fire their missiles?

Hard to imagine they will, but they have already succeeded in firing up Trump to the point of unbelievable OTT utterances.

tdgeek:

 

So, will NK fire their missiles?

 

Hard to imagine they will, but they have already succeeded in firing up Trump to the point of unbelievable OTT utterances.

 

Need to step back and consider that the threat to test-fire the missiles didn't come from KJU (but I expect he knew about or ordered the statement).

The particular missiles suggested don't have a great history of successful launches - and if a couple of them blew up on the launchpad or fell out of the sky, then it's egg on the face for KJU.

There's also a problem in that they're liquid fueled - NK will be under such intense scrutiny, that even though they're on mobile launchers so that position of all the unfueled rockets can't be known, as soon as they go to fuel one up ready for launch - which takes some time - then the USA is readied to take action - be that taking them out on the ground - or in the sky.  Probably very nice opportunity for the US to test missile defense - should be easier if you know where it's headed before it's launched.  Much egg on the face of KJU if the US could take them out of the sky.

TL:DR version - No NK won't launch missile tests toward Guam - but they're trolling Trump very successfully.

My guess, they'll test launch something else somewhere else but also very annoying to Trump. They do have lots of submarines and have been working hard on solid-fuelled submarine launched ballistic missiles.  They are a real threat in the region - and especially in case of some pre-emptive action by the US, if they're able to use those fitted with conventional, biological, or chemical weapons.

Fred99:

 

 

 

My guess, they'll test launch something else somewhere else but also very annoying to Trump. They do have lots of submarines and have been working hard on solid-fuelled submarine launched ballistic missiles.  They are a real threat in the region - and especially in case of some pre-emptive action by the US, if they're able to use those fitted with conventional, biological, or chemical weapons.

 

Most of their submarines date from the 50s and 60s and are unable to sail out of sight of land. There was quite a stir a couple of weeks ago when one of them sailed 100km from land for the first time in many years. I don't think anyone in the region considers them a serious threat to modern navies. To be fair, they almost certainly sank a South Korean corvette in 2010, but I suspect if there was a shooting war under way they might have found it a little more difficult. 

tdgeek:

 

So, will NK fire their missiles?

 

Hard to imagine they will, but they have already succeeded in firing up Trump to the point of unbelievable OTT utterances.

 

They will fire them at some point. No point in them having them as no country would invade NK without provocation anyways. I believe Guam is just a detraction from the real target and I dont believe their weapons are advanced enough yet. Maybe next year...look out Sth Korea imo.

Bill English has said we will consider helping if NK attacks. hmmm what on earth with? 4 C130's and two aging Frigates and Patrol Craft that cant go to sea. 

Pumpedd:

 

tdgeek:

 

So, will NK fire their missiles?

 

Hard to imagine they will, but they have already succeeded in firing up Trump to the point of unbelievable OTT utterances.

 

 

They will fire them at some point. No point in them having them as no country would invade NK without provocation anyways. I believe Guam is just a detraction from the real target and I dont believe their weapons are advanced enough yet. Maybe next year...look out Sth Korea imo.

 

If he did attack, he knows he will die, and his rule is over and the country is buggered. Allowing SK and maybe China to rebuild it, the dynasty ends. 

My worry is that he fires them and the US attacks full on. As they wont know or choose not to know if it was a mistake.  I think that the Rules of War allow that. Or he fires them, and they hit or go near Guam, or fail and hit Japan. Then again its all on. 

Stephen Colbert tells Donald Trump to ‘shut up’ when it comes to North Korea

Recent incendiary comments from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding North Korea caused comedian Stephen Colbert to dive under his desk – before imploring Trump to “shut up.”

Followed by :

Late Show Auditions President Trump’s ‘Puppets’ for the Voice of Kermit the Frog

Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s a bit disturbing to watch a beloved children’s character talk about Hitler (Sean Spicer), stabbing people (Ben Carson), and the death of the American dream (guess who).

MikeB4: Bill English has said we will consider helping if NK attacks. hmmm what on earth with? 4 C130's and two aging Frigates and Patrol Craft that cant go to sea. 

 

A huge amount of cow poop we could chuck at them. 

DarthKermit:

 

MikeB4: Bill English has said we will consider helping if NK attacks. hmmm what on earth with? 4 C130's and two aging Frigates and Patrol Craft that cant go to sea. 

 

 

A huge amount of cow poop we could chuck at them. 

 

We could, but we would need a huge Trebuchet 

 

Beijing is not able to persuade Washington or Pyongyang to back down at this time. It needs to make clear its stance to all sides and make them understand that when their actions jeopardize China's interests, China will respond with a firm hand.

China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral. If the US and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and change the political pattern of the Korean Peninsula, China will prevent them from doing so.

China opposes both nuclear proliferation and war in the Korean Peninsula. It will not encourage any side to stir up military conflict, and will firmly resist any side which wants to change the status quo of the areas where China's interests are concerned. It is hoped that both Washington and Pyongyang can exercise restraint. The Korean Peninsula is where the strategic interests of all sides converge, and no side should try to be the absolute dominator of the region.

 

Trumped = gazumped.

Edit - quoted text and direct link to the source in the Chinese state owned Global Times.

(Original text I quoted above was from the UK Daily Mail)

Fred99:

 

 

Beijing is not able to persuade Washington or Pyongyang to back down at this time. It needs to make clear its stance to all sides and make them understand that when their actions jeopardize China's interests, China will respond with a firm hand.

China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral. If the US and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and change the political pattern of the Korean Peninsula, China will prevent them from doing so.

China opposes both nuclear proliferation and war in the Korean Peninsula. It will not encourage any side to stir up military conflict, and will firmly resist any side which wants to change the status quo of the areas where China's interests are concerned. It is hoped that both Washington and Pyongyang can exercise restraint. The Korean Peninsula is where the strategic interests of all sides converge, and no side should try to be the absolute dominator of the region.

 

 

Trumped = gazumped.

 

Edit - quoted text and direct link to the source in the Chinese state owned Global Times.

 

(Original text I quoted above was from the UK Daily Mail)

 

I agree with all that.

But, while I find Trumps recent outburst then his outburst + This issue isn't his cause. Yes, he isn't helping but up to the last few days he wasn't that bad, its KJU thats the perpetrator. he has and is walking over everyone, a seat achievement from an unimportant and desolate state. 

The US should have a minimum term of nuclear disarmament, regular on site checks, and then they will move out. While NK is the cauldron of East vs West, there is no issue of the US wanting to take it over one day, it has no value. If SK is safe, Japan is safe, there is no weaponry of any note, its a waste of time and money.

Negotiations, ok. Sanctions reduced or removed, no way, not yet. They can be held for a few months, then as nothing happens, they get steadily and reasonably quickly, removed. 

Trump's cornered himself into a position where he's offering no prospect for negotiation unless DPRK first commits to cease their nuclear program. Given that the objective of any negotiation is to get DPRK to commit to cease their nuclear program, then there's a huge logical flaw in Trump's strategy:

His starting point for negotiation precludes the possibility of negotiation - but he actually can't carry out on his threats ( without bringing about armageddon - which won't do much for his already abysmal global popularity)

The "Art of the Deal" - what a freaking joke.  He can only negotiate by holding a gun at someone's head.  This time - it's not going to work.