Nuclear War Hype Reaches New High: Sound Judgment Hangs in the Balance

The Battlefield (according to Trump and Kim)

Key players: Both inexperienced, unpredictable, and highly dangerous

Trump's team is attempting to “persuade China to get serious about the issue and to coerce North Korea to stand down.” This story here from Yahoo news, and at these sites with similar stories:

1.  North Korea Warns 'Nuclear War' Is Close as US Military Conducts Drills Near Korean Peninsula

2.  US drills in South Korea trigger 'nuclear war' warning from North

3.  Massive US military drills trigger nuclear war warnings in North Korea

China is North Korea's top trading partner and most important ally and they could potentially cut off its access to fuel and other resources it needs to build bombs, but it is a risky game because the signals can easily be misinterpreted, particularly by the North Koreans, who may believe the U.S. is intent to destroy them and they may therefore be inclined to fire first if they think an attack is coming. 

Thus, comments that the potential for war is increasing could thus become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

(I note: That would amount to “who blinks first or fires first” and folks, there is no such thing as a “small or limited nuclear war” – it would total disaster for the entire planet and if x fires then y fires, and surely z would fire for their own protection as it were – bye, bye mankind as we know it now).

It's also clear by now that North Korea has little idea what to make of Trump and according to The Washington Post back in September North Korea had been reaching out to Republican analysts in hopes of setting up talks that could help Kim understand how Trump thinks.

(I note: Surely Trump does not know how Kim, Jung-un thinks either).

Foreign policy experts widely agree Kim does not desire a war with the U.S. whatsoever, as his number one goal is perpetuating his rule and a major military conflict would undoubtedly damage all that. This might seem contradictory amid North Korea's missile tests and bombastic rhetoric toward the wider world, but some experts believe it is all part of a conscious strategy to deter stronger countries like the U.S. from taking military action (e.g., they need the nukes for “self-protection” in their way of think).

In summary: While there's no question he's a repressive, erratic leader, Kim is far more rational than he might seem to the outside observer and possibly even to Trump. 

Finally: Pyongyang has made major strides with its long-range missile program, but it still doesn't possess the technology to successfully launch a nuclear weapon toward the mainland U.S. and have it reach its desired target.  

Even if North Korea did have such technology, an imminent attack on the U.S. is unlikely. 

So, would Trump attack to prevent a war that he believes is coming? 

That’s the $64,000 question. 

So, stay tuned – this is one huge cat and mouse game with an ultimate ugly outcome for us all. 

Thanks for stopping by.