Click to Translate to English Click to Translate to French  Click to Translate to Spanish  Click to Translate to German  Click to Translate to Italian  Click to Translate to Japanese  Click to Translate to Chinese Simplified  Click to Translate to Korean  Click to Translate to Arabic  Click to Translate to Russian  Click to Translate to Portuguese  Click to Translate to Myanmar (Burmese)

PANDEMIC ALERT LEVEL
123456
Forum Home Forum Home > Main Forums > General Discussion
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Trump will 'take action' on North Korea,
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Now tracking the new emerging South Africa Omicron Variant

Trump will 'take action' on North Korea,

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
carbon20 View Drop Down
Moderator
Moderator
Avatar

Joined: April 08 2006
Location: West Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 65816
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote carbon20 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Trump will 'take action' on North Korea,
    Posted: April 16 2017 at 3:35pm

Trump will 'take action' on North Korea, says national security adviser, McMaster

1,084 reading now

President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser, HR McMaster, said on Sunday the United States is exploring "a range of options" to respond to an increasingly provocative North Korea but that the administration would like "to take action short of armed conflict, so we can avoid the worst."

McMaster's comments came on a weekend during which North Korea staged a huge parade in Pyongyang to showcase its military prowess and later launched a ballistic missile that exploded with seconds, Appearing on This Week on ABC News in the US, McMaster called the failed test part of "a pattern of provocative and destabilising and threatening behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime."

null

Video duration
01:1





Appearing on This Week on ABC News in the US, McMaster called the failed test part of "a pattern of provocative and destabilising and threatening behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime."

"The President has made clear that he will not accept the United States and its allies and partners in the region being under threat from this hostile regime with nuclear weapons," he said.

RELATED CONTENT

  • "It's clear that the President is determined not to allow this kind of capability to threaten the United States. And our President will take action that is in the best interest of the American people."

He said Trump had directed the National Security Council to collaborate with the Defense and State Departments, and intelligence agencies, to "provide options and have them ready for him if this pattern of destabilising behaviour contMcMaster, an Army lieutenant general, made the case for global action on the issue, including enlisting North Korean neighbour China, given the "brutality" of Kim's regime.Hours after the failed test, McMaster emphasised Trump's preference, as with this month's airstrikes in Syria, for unannounced military action. He added that the North Korean leader's unpredictability complicated US strategy.

  • <
  • ">
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster says the US is exploring &amp;quot;a range of options&amp;quot; to respond to North Korea.National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster says the US is exploring "a range of options" to respond to North Korea. Photo: AP

"This is someone who has demonstrated his brutality by murdering his own brother, by murdering others in his family, by imprisoning large numbers of people in horrible conditions for no reason, for political reasons," McMaster said.

"So this regime has given the world reason for concern. And that includes – that includes the Chinese people and the Chinese leadership as well."


North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un applauds during a parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on Saturday, April 15.North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un applauds during a parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on Saturday, April 15. Photo: AP

While McMaster conceded that estimates on North Korea's weapons capabilities "vary widely," even failed missile tests can allow them to improve their programs, he said.

The US and allies have been locked in long-standing hostility with North Korea, as the latter remains technically at war with its neighbour to the South since a truce to the Korean War more than 60 years ago. Successive US presidents have struggled to contain three successive dictators, and to break a cycle that has been defined by sanctions, sanctions relief and unsettling actions including missile tests and nuclear weapons development.

McMaster's use of words such as "provocative" and "destabilising" to describe North Korea echoes administrations of both parties that have attempted to rally others on the global stage, including China, to help prevent fresh war on the peninsula. Trump used similar language in his February visit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Washington Post

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius
Back to Top
carbon20 View Drop Down
Moderator
Moderator
Avatar

Joined: April 08 2006
Location: West Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 65816
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote carbon20 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 16 2017 at 3:51pm

Donald Trump reportedly considering strikes on North Korea’s nuclear sites

APRIL 17, 20176:11AM
 

North Korean missile fails as tensions rise

Staff writers and wiresNews Corp Australia Network

DONALD Trump is considering “utterly destroying” Kim Jong-un’s nuclear sites, according to one of the President’s closest military advisers.

source told British diplomats that America could launch pre-emptive strikes and has the firepower to smash North Korea’s nuclear program.

President Trump wants to heap pressure on China by making it clear that the US will take military action against the secretive country.

Quoting a report in The Times the paper reported that senior sources said the American armed forces could “utterly destroy” North Korea’s key nuclear targets using conventional weapons.

The report came the same day as a failed ballistic missile test by the rogue state.

A former official in the Bush administration, who is privy to the Pentagon battle plans, said: “Trump is pushing the Chinese hard, but in his gut he ultimately feels he will have to take a strong step himself.

Kim Jong-un waves to the crowds after the military parade in Pyongyang last Friday. Picture: AFP

Kim Jong-un waves to the crowds after the military parade in Pyongyang last Friday. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

“There are plans to destroy the missile sites and the military have strong confidence in what they know.

“They wouldn’t launch a pre-emptive strike if there is an underground nuclear explosion but they would if the president thought they were launching an intercontinental ballistic missile.”

Tensions have reached boiling point in the region after an armada of US warships arrived in Korea waters including aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson.

The US air force’s chief of staff General David Goldfein posted a picture of the US warplanes along with the caption: “Fight’s on!”

US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave upon their arrival at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea on Sunday. Picture: Kim Do-hoon/AP

US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave upon their arrival at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea on Sunday. Picture: Kim Do-hoon/APSource:AP

PENCE CALLS MISSILE LAUNCH A ‘PROVOCATION’

US vice-president Mike Pence has travelled to South Korea and told reporters the US would help its allies in the region bring “freedom” to the Korean peninsula.

He branded Pyongyang’s failed missile launch a “provocation”.

Meanwhile, on Sunday Mr Trump signalled in an early morning tweet that his administration was working with China to deal with the rogue state.

“Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem?” Mr Trump wrote.

“We will see what happens!” he added.

Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem? We will see what happens!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 16, 2017

His tweet echoed his national security adviser H.R. McMaster, who said on Sunday that an international consensus that includes China has now emerged that North Korea’s “threatening behaviour” cannot go on.

Mr McMaster said: “I think there’s an international consensus now, including — including the Chinese and the Chinese leadership — that this is a situation that just can’t continue.”

Speaking from Afghanistan on US ABC, he made a point of stating several times that China — North Korea’s key ally — is now concerned about the reclusive communist state’s behaviour.

SHORTEN URGES CHINA TO TAKE BIGGER ROLE

Meanwhile, Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten waded in to the regional crisis saying China should exert “influence” over North Korea following revelations of the failed missile test.

Mr Shorten also told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday he was grateful for the “strong presence” of the United States in the Pacific region. “We do need, I think, countries in the region, including China, to exert what influence they have on North Korea,” he said.

Korean Peoples Army soldiers march at the parade. Picture: AFP

Korean People's Army soldiers march at the parade. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Kim Jong-un enraged the US by staging yet another ballistic missile test on Sunday which was an embarrassing flop after exploding on launch.

South Korea’s military reported the attempt near the Sinpo region, the same area from which the North tested a ballistic missile last month.

The incident is likely to escalate the rising tensions between the US and North Korea over Pyongyang’s rogue nuclear weapons ambitions.

It came a day after the parade marking 105 years since the state’s found Kim Il-sung was born.

Howitzers taking part in the show of military strength. Picture: AFP

Howitzers taking part in the show of military strength. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

North Korea has tested several missiles recently.

They launched a long-range rocket and conducted two nuclear tests last year, including its most powerful to date, as well as carrying out a slew of shorter range missile firings.

A smirking Kim Jong-un watched a fervent military parade just hours after telling America: “We’re ready for war.”

US SHOCKED BY KIM’S MILITARY HARDWARE

Chief among the devastating arsenal on show during the parade was a KN-08 rocket, thought to be capable of flying more than 7,000 miles — within range of Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC.

A smirking Kim Jong-un watched a fervent military parade just hours after telling America: “We’re ready for war.” Picture: AFP

A smirking Kim Jong-un watched a fervent military parade just hours after telling America: “We’re ready for war.” Picture: AFPSource:AFP

US military experts reacted with shock to the display, as one admitted “we’re floored right now”.

Shell-shocked North Korean experts admit the secretive nation now appears far more advanced than previously thought.

Dave Schmerler, a research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, told The Wall Street Journal: “We’re totally floored right now. I was not expecting to see this many new missile designs.”

Also on display was the similarly devastating KN-14 rocket.

President Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump waves to onlookers as he enters a church in Palm Beach, Florida, for an Easter Service on Sunday. Picture: Joe Cavaretta/AP

President Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump waves to onlookers as he enters a church in Palm Beach, Florida, for an Easter Service on Sunday. Picture: Joe Cavaretta/APSource:AP

Thousands of heavily-armed North Koreans marched through capital Pyongyang alongside the missiles as the smiling despot lapped up the adoration of his fanatical military — many reduced to tears by his mere presence.

Only hours earlier a top general had told state TV: “We’re prepared to respond to an all-out war with an all-out war.”

North Korean military official Choe Ryong-Hae said: “If the United States wages reckless provocation against us, our revolutionary power will instantly counter with [an] annihilating strike … with our style of nuclear strike warfare.”

Choe’s menacing words carried extra threat given many Western commentators consider him the country’s second-in-command.

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius
Back to Top
EdwinSm, View Drop Down
Moderator
Moderator


Joined: April 03 2013
Status: Offline
Points: 24065
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EdwinSm, Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 16 2017 at 11:42pm
In all this I wonder what would happen to South Korea. The nuclear sites might be taken out, but what about the massive North Korean army?

All I can really say is "God help the Koreans" this could end badly for many, many of them.

On a positive note, if a lot of South Korean factories would damaged in the fighting then it could be an opportunity to claim manufacturing jobs are being brought back to America.Unhappy
Back to Top
Technophobe View Drop Down
Assistant Admin
Assistant Admin
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 88450
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Technophobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2017 at 7:43am
I have just watched Tillerson give a press briefing on North Korea.  I am impressed!  True gunboat diplomacy!  Once again, against my previous judgement, I have to say: "Well done Trump!"

I do not think this will solve anything, certainly not quickly.  But, this is a balanced first step.  

NK is a tough nut to crack and the shell has been hardening for decades.  But, finally, China seems to have said (paraphrasing): "Enough is enough!  Your economic advantages do not pay for the trouble you cause - so, you are on your own!"  I am glad that the US has a President with the balls to take advantage of that change.  For all his good points (which were many) Obama did not have them.

Because this is such a tough nut, and because things were allowed to fester for so long, the situation will need to get far more dangerous before it can be fixed.  This is scary!  But the longer it was left the worse it would have become.  I am praying Kim Jong Ill has the sense to back off (I don't think that very likely - its hard to have a balanced viewpoint when you kill everyone who disagrees with you) and, though I am worried about escalation, I am very, very glad the diplomacy has a gunboat behind it.
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.
Back to Top
WillobyBrat View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: January 21 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 2080
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WillobyBrat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2017 at 7:56am
Well, Tillerson deserves a golden wheelbarrow award.  As that is a crude militaryism, I shall go on to explain.  The only method of combating a threat, from another person, country, regime or empire, Is to have someone with a bigger pair than the opposition or any of its insane, egotistical, war mongering population.  In diplomatic terms, Mr Tillerson has acted in the manner of the British Empire - on its best days.  

We are amused! (Oops I forgot for a moment, we don't have a gigantic empire at the moment.)  But, just the same, the nation that took over from us (YOU AMERICA) has come of age.  Support Trump or not, we are proud that the Son of the Empire has proved itself worthy of the position it ascended to.  You are the policemen of the world and only you have the power to fulfill that position.

Continue being fearless, strong and moral.  God bless America!

Ave Rex vivet in aeternum!


I like Ike
Back to Top
arirish View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: June 19 2013
Location: Arkansas
Status: Offline
Points: 39215
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote arirish Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 28 2017 at 11:26am
Willoby and Techno - He only thinks he's a king and if you like him so much you can have him!
Buy more ammo!
Back to Top
Technophobe View Drop Down
Assistant Admin
Assistant Admin
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 88450
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Technophobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 16 2017 at 11:53am
Well, here is a bit more reason for action:

NHS cyber attack may have been carried out by shadowy NORTH KOREAN hacking group, experts say

I do not exactly trust the source as this is a "comic" rather than a rational "grown up" newspaper, but the sources they quote are experts so: "Who knows?"
Trump seems to have an inability to tell the difference between "Fake news" and "Unwanted news" so quite what he will make of this is anyone's guess,  if he even spots it.



How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.
Back to Top
Technophobe View Drop Down
Assistant Admin
Assistant Admin
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 88450
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Technophobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 16 2017 at 12:02pm
Hmmmm....................Confused

This news source is harder to dismiss: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cyber-attack-idUSKCN18B0AC.   Reuters do not attach quite as much certainty to the conclusions as The Sun, but they arrive at the same place.

Of course, if you want to ignore it enough you could call the Synoptic Gospels "fake news".
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.
Back to Top
jacksdad View Drop Down
Executive Admin
Executive Admin
Avatar

Joined: September 08 2007
Location: San Diego
Status: Offline
Points: 47251
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jacksdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 16 2017 at 10:08pm
Not a big fan of the term, but I'm good with dismissing The Sun as "fake news". I heard they were going to start printing it in roll format, with perforations so you can tear off individual pages LOL


"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary.
Back to Top
Technophobe View Drop Down
Assistant Admin
Assistant Admin
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2014
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 88450
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Technophobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2017 at 4:58am
So The Sun does have a real use.  Sadly, with a septic tank, newspaper is not the best option..................  'And they have published such great photos of Trump too.
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down