Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the US will engage in Nuclear...
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There's no way it'll happen in the foreseeable future.
The USA won't strike first as a) it has nothing to gain by attacking NK right now - they don't pose an imminent threat and have nothing for the USA to take, and b) North Korea's biggest ally is China, who would certainly take umbrage at a strike - I'd imagine upholding the relationship between the US and China is far more important than dishing out some petty retribution on North Korea, not to mention that China have a far bigger military and more nuclear capability than NK. So if the US strike first they gain nothing and lose a major trading partner, plus getting on the wrong side of one of the world's other superpowers.
It's more conceivable that North Korea will strike first, as you can't ever rule something out when their leadership is operated in the way it is. However, I still don't think it will happen - as other posters have said the USA have sufficient anti-missile technology to eliminate a lot of threats, especially from such primitive nuclear tech as NK's. Also, NK striking first would again alienate China - even if they agree with the motive they can't publicly stand by and endorse such outrageous measures without committing political suicide. As before, this would potentially ruin their relationship with the USA, and the two countries are massively economically dependant on one another.
So, long story short, both sides have nothing to gain and way too much to lose - no way it's going to happen.
The USA won't strike first as a) it has nothing to gain by attacking NK right now - they don't pose an imminent threat and have nothing for the USA to take, and b) North Korea's biggest ally is China, who would certainly take umbrage at a strike - I'd imagine upholding the relationship between the US and China is far more important than dishing out some petty retribution on North Korea, not to mention that China have a far bigger military and more nuclear capability than NK. So if the US strike first they gain nothing and lose a major trading partner, plus getting on the wrong side of one of the world's other superpowers.
It's more conceivable that North Korea will strike first, as you can't ever rule something out when their leadership is operated in the way it is. However, I still don't think it will happen - as other posters have said the USA have sufficient anti-missile technology to eliminate a lot of threats, especially from such primitive nuclear tech as NK's. Also, NK striking first would again alienate China - even if they agree with the motive they can't publicly stand by and endorse such outrageous measures without committing political suicide. As before, this would potentially ruin their relationship with the USA, and the two countries are massively economically dependant on one another.
So, long story short, both sides have nothing to gain and way too much to lose - no way it's going to happen.
North Korea has absolutely no delivery systems for it's crude nukes which haven't even been confirmed to exist as far as I'm aware (like seriously, one day it's like someone just decided that NK had nukes without providing actual proof).
It has no capacity to go to war with any country but it's immediate neighbours and even that is in doubt. Plus it's neighbours are more powerful than it, it'd lose those wars.
The only real viable use for NK nukes is as a final ****-you scorched Earth use. Nuke it's own territory as an enemy advances.
So no, NK won't be having a nuclear war with America.
It has no capacity to go to war with any country but it's immediate neighbours and even that is in doubt. Plus it's neighbours are more powerful than it, it'd lose those wars.
The only real viable use for NK nukes is as a final ****-you scorched Earth use. Nuke it's own territory as an enemy advances.
So no, NK won't be having a nuclear war with America.
Original post by HomoSapiensSap
Just interested in people's thoughts:
Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the United States will actually engage in Nuclear War?
Vote on the poll!
Why? Why not?
Does North Korea really have the guts? Or are they just posturing to obtain a higher bargaining position? Or are they in collusion with Iran to deflect attention from Iranian nuclear development?
Will other countries get involved? The last time a nuclear weapon was used (not in testing - in actual war) was in 1945! It's nearly 70 years since then! And nukes weren't so abundant on Earth. Do you really think they will be used here?
What do you think?
Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the United States will actually engage in Nuclear War?
Vote on the poll!
Why? Why not?
Does North Korea really have the guts? Or are they just posturing to obtain a higher bargaining position? Or are they in collusion with Iran to deflect attention from Iranian nuclear development?
Will other countries get involved? The last time a nuclear weapon was used (not in testing - in actual war) was in 1945! It's nearly 70 years since then! And nukes weren't so abundant on Earth. Do you really think they will be used here?
What do you think?
North Korea's most advanced missile (NK hasn't even successfully tested a missile with nuclear payload) has a range of 6000 km (enough to reach much Alaska or the most Northern tip of Australia). So fears of NK wiping out Washington any time soon are unfounded. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21807067
At the moment the only way NK could even deliver one of its crude nuclear devices it has fashioned would be by the traditional method of a bomber, baring in mind that NK's airforce relies on Soviet designed aircraft from the 50's and 60's the threat isn't to enormous. South Korea and possibly Japan are the only real targets that North Korea could realistic hope to strike, but I am 99% certain that that attempt would probably fail.
In short North Korea's nuclear test is another example of it trying to attract a load of international attention but in reality it only shows how it is completely isolated (neither Russia or China support its nuclear dreams). If North Korea was to attack anyone (with or without nuclear weapons), most likely the rest of the world would oppose her and attack.
If a nuclear war ever starts it will be provoked by the United States. There was a nuclear proliferation treaty in place until the U.S began threatening the DPRK again with nukes in the 90s. So the DPRK withdrew from the treaty and prepared themselves for self-defense. The U.S ruling class is creating a massive hysteria over this, to attempt to hide their agenda for world domination.
The need for the capitalist class to gain access to resources, and to create regime change in every place that impedes on this process, finds itself expressed in the social relations of imperialism, which is the highest stage of capitalism. This system of social relations is regulated by profit and class antagonisms. The ruling class attempts to hide this by claiming their military interventions are done for humanitarian reasons.
Any nuclear detonation from a north korean weapon on any other country would probably prompt a nuclear response. However, the North Korean nukes are not big enough to even take out both the capitol building and the white house with one detonation, they are relatively weak.
A common mistaken scenario is that if North Korea attacks the US or the US attacks North Korea, Russia or China would back North Korea and declare war on the United States. This is a fallacy. Russia, China and the US are nuclear powers. They will never go to war against each other unless they had a death wish. Neither Russia nor China would defend North Korea because they will not risk their own annihilation. North Korea is alone. Not even Iran would put its hands on fire for North Korea.
The need for the capitalist class to gain access to resources, and to create regime change in every place that impedes on this process, finds itself expressed in the social relations of imperialism, which is the highest stage of capitalism. This system of social relations is regulated by profit and class antagonisms. The ruling class attempts to hide this by claiming their military interventions are done for humanitarian reasons.
Any nuclear detonation from a north korean weapon on any other country would probably prompt a nuclear response. However, the North Korean nukes are not big enough to even take out both the capitol building and the white house with one detonation, they are relatively weak.
A common mistaken scenario is that if North Korea attacks the US or the US attacks North Korea, Russia or China would back North Korea and declare war on the United States. This is a fallacy. Russia, China and the US are nuclear powers. They will never go to war against each other unless they had a death wish. Neither Russia nor China would defend North Korea because they will not risk their own annihilation. North Korea is alone. Not even Iran would put its hands on fire for North Korea.
Original post by HomoSapiensSap
Just interested in people's thoughts:
Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the United States will actually engage in Nuclear War?
Vote on the poll!
Why? Why not?
Does North Korea really have the guts? Or are they just posturing to obtain a higher bargaining position? Or are they in collusion with Iran to deflect attention from Iranian nuclear development?
Will other countries get involved? The last time a nuclear weapon was used (not in testing - in actual war) was in 1945! It's nearly 70 years since then! And nukes weren't so abundant on Earth. Do you really think they will be used here?
What do you think?
Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the United States will actually engage in Nuclear War?
Vote on the poll!
Why? Why not?
Does North Korea really have the guts? Or are they just posturing to obtain a higher bargaining position? Or are they in collusion with Iran to deflect attention from Iranian nuclear development?
Will other countries get involved? The last time a nuclear weapon was used (not in testing - in actual war) was in 1945! It's nearly 70 years since then! And nukes weren't so abundant on Earth. Do you really think they will be used here?
What do you think?
The Americans and South Koreans have more than enough conventional fire power to lay waste to any key points in North Korea.
North Korea is definitely mad enough, Kim Jong un was chosen out of the brothers by his father because the other two weren't radical enough.
Also, being the youngest, he is less able to stand up to the generals, who are the real nutters. Un is
more of a figurehead.
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
Also, being the youngest, he is less able to stand up to the generals, who are the real nutters. Un is
more of a figurehead.
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
A nuclear war will only be started by the state that first used the weapon.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by J.Nalbandian14
If a nuclear war ever starts it will be provoked by the United States. There was a nuclear proliferation treaty in place until the U.S began threatening the DPRK again with nukes in the 90s. So the DPRK withdrew from the treaty and prepared themselves for self-defense. The U.S ruling class is creating a massive hysteria over this, to attempt to hide their agenda for world domination.
The need for the capitalist class to gain access to resources, and to create regime change in every place that impedes on this process, finds itself expressed in the social relations of imperialism, which is the highest stage of capitalism. This system of social relations is regulated by profit and class antagonisms. The ruling class attempts to hide this by claiming their military interventions are done for humanitarian reasons.
Any nuclear detonation from a north korean weapon on any other country would probably prompt a nuclear response. However, the North Korean nukes are not big enough to even take out both the capitol building and the white house with one detonation, they are relatively weak.
A common mistaken scenario is that if North Korea attacks the US or the US attacks North Korea, Russia or China would back North Korea and declare war on the United States. This is a fallacy. Russia, China and the US are nuclear powers. They will never go to war against each other unless they had a death wish. Neither Russia nor China would defend North Korea because they will not risk their own annihilation. North Korea is alone. Not even Iran would put its hands on fire for North Korea.
The need for the capitalist class to gain access to resources, and to create regime change in every place that impedes on this process, finds itself expressed in the social relations of imperialism, which is the highest stage of capitalism. This system of social relations is regulated by profit and class antagonisms. The ruling class attempts to hide this by claiming their military interventions are done for humanitarian reasons.
Any nuclear detonation from a north korean weapon on any other country would probably prompt a nuclear response. However, the North Korean nukes are not big enough to even take out both the capitol building and the white house with one detonation, they are relatively weak.
A common mistaken scenario is that if North Korea attacks the US or the US attacks North Korea, Russia or China would back North Korea and declare war on the United States. This is a fallacy. Russia, China and the US are nuclear powers. They will never go to war against each other unless they had a death wish. Neither Russia nor China would defend North Korea because they will not risk their own annihilation. North Korea is alone. Not even Iran would put its hands on fire for North Korea.
I think you may want to brush up on your recent history there dearie. You are so incorrect I don't even know where to begin.
Just want to know why the USA is still conducting operations in S.Korea if the North feels threatened by it? Unlike Iraq, the North actually has nukes and is just trying to protect itself from S.Korea,Japan and China (Japan used to be the bully of Asia before WWII and China's been grabbing land in Burma,Kashmir and Tibet)
Original post by ronki23
Just want to know why the USA is still conducting operations in S.Korea if the North feels threatened by it? Unlike Iraq, the North actually has nukes and is just trying to protect itself from S.Korea,Japan and China (Japan used to be the bully of Asia before WWII and China's been grabbing land in Burma,Kashmir and Tibet)
If the US left tomorrow North Korea would continue to threaten South Korea. It wants reunification with it on top
Original post by Aj12
If the US left tomorrow North Korea would continue to threaten South Korea. It wants reunification with it on top
That's Korea's problem then- not the USA's. South Korea is not like Iraq or Afghanistan, it has a powerful economy and is independent of the USA. The USA should only get involved if the UN approves it or if they retaliate.
Anyway, why did the USA infuriate North Korea with the flight drills if they knew it would make them mad?
Original post by ronki23
That's Korea's problem then- not the USA's. South Korea is not like Iraq or Afghanistan, it has a powerful economy and is independent of the USA. The USA should only get involved if the UN approves it or if they retaliate.
Anyway, why did the USA infuriate North Korea with the flight drills if they knew it would make them mad?
Anyway, why did the USA infuriate North Korea with the flight drills if they knew it would make them mad?
They are helping safeguard the security of an ally.
Why did north Korea sink a south Korean ship and launch an artillery barrage on a sk island? Stop presenting north Korea as some sort of victim to American aggression, it's a brutal insane military dictatorship.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Aj12
They are helping safeguard the security of an ally.
Why did north Korea sink a south Korean ship and launch an artillery barrage on a sk island? Stop presenting north Korea as some sort of victim to American aggression, it's a brutal insane military dictatorship.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Why did north Korea sink a south Korean ship and launch an artillery barrage on a sk island? Stop presenting north Korea as some sort of victim to American aggression, it's a brutal insane military dictatorship.
Posted from TSR Mobile
So are Iran and Syria-they're threats to Israel (allies to the USA). Pakistan is also a huge problem.
Being a 'brutal insane military dictatorship' is not really enough reason to attack them unless they are a threat to you (look at the backlash for invading Iraq).
Anyway, you've got South Korea,Japan and China dealing with North Korea. Little Israel will have trouble with Syria and Iran (the Persians will be far more of a threat to Israel than any Arab union). Pakistan keeps pushing India too (the fact that they were hiding bin Laden and have the second highest concentration of Taliban members is also a reason to put sanctions on them and cut off their aid)
I'm not saying North Korea are good, just that the human rights issue is none of our business.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by Aj12
North Korea can't hit the US with a nuke, they don't have the capacity
But they can launch a satellite into space?
Look up what an EMP blast can do to a country then you'll realise the threat.
NK just declared war. Idiots going to be rubble by the end of the week.
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
Unless if China starts to support North Korea to the point where they'd attack anyone who attacks them, then we'd have a problem.
Otherwise, I think that the worse that could happen was that the US fires non-nuclear missiles at high-profile targets, like Kim Jong-Un's palace, the assembly, and places like military airfields (if there are any).
The USA and South Korea are more than capable of invading the country and overthrowing the government. The only problem is that its citizens are tricked into believing that the rest of the world is worse off than them, and that Kim Jong-un is being extremely grateful towards them. They may act like braindead zombies and start a coup against any interim government, or not, because they probably wouldn't even understand the idea of a new government being formed. You'd have to start some sort of massive campaign to show people that Seoul isn't a wasteland, and that the rest of the modern world actually feed their citizens... most of it, anyway. I guess if North and South Korea just become Korea, as in Hanguk, not like what happened in Germany, you'd have a huge flood of citizens who don't even know how what a debit card is, as well as a whole country to revolutionise. It'd be pretty exciting, but it could end up causing a huge deficit because of all the work needed.
Otherwise, I think that the worse that could happen was that the US fires non-nuclear missiles at high-profile targets, like Kim Jong-Un's palace, the assembly, and places like military airfields (if there are any).
The USA and South Korea are more than capable of invading the country and overthrowing the government. The only problem is that its citizens are tricked into believing that the rest of the world is worse off than them, and that Kim Jong-un is being extremely grateful towards them. They may act like braindead zombies and start a coup against any interim government, or not, because they probably wouldn't even understand the idea of a new government being formed. You'd have to start some sort of massive campaign to show people that Seoul isn't a wasteland, and that the rest of the modern world actually feed their citizens... most of it, anyway. I guess if North and South Korea just become Korea, as in Hanguk, not like what happened in Germany, you'd have a huge flood of citizens who don't even know how what a debit card is, as well as a whole country to revolutionise. It'd be pretty exciting, but it could end up causing a huge deficit because of all the work needed.
North korea will hit South in a few days , then usa .
Bum !
Bum !
Didn't you know- Kim Jung Un is immortal- they said it on the NK state news agency.... 
Original post by HomoSapiensSap
Just interested in people's thoughts:
Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the United States will actually engage in Nuclear War?
Vote on the poll!
Why? Why not?
Does North Korea really have the guts? Or are they just posturing to obtain a higher bargaining position? Or are they in collusion with Iran to deflect attention from Iranian nuclear development?
Will other countries get involved? The last time a nuclear weapon was used (not in testing - in actual war) was in 1945! It's nearly 70 years since then! And nukes weren't so abundant on Earth. Do you really think they will be used here?
What do you think?
Do you really think it possible that North Korea and the United States will actually engage in Nuclear War?
Vote on the poll!
Why? Why not?
Does North Korea really have the guts? Or are they just posturing to obtain a higher bargaining position? Or are they in collusion with Iran to deflect attention from Iranian nuclear development?
Will other countries get involved? The last time a nuclear weapon was used (not in testing - in actual war) was in 1945! It's nearly 70 years since then! And nukes weren't so abundant on Earth. Do you really think they will be used here?
What do you think?
I don't think it is possible for North Korea and the United States to engage in nuclear war. First of all, North Korea is not even ready to fight the United States at this point. If they were to do so, the United States would be the automatic winner.
The only reason why North Korea is doing this is to try to gain leverage for receiving aid and support from other countries. Although China is their ally, they are at a point where even they are telling the North Korea to disarm, so I don't think China would risk being on the North Korean side. I can probably see Iran involved, but it would most likely be for other reasons.
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