Ahh. I see where you are going. I'd agree with you. I would not misconstrue China's siding with the West against North Korea to mean that China has a more open mind regarding the United States and her allies.
My only point is that BECAUSE China took a stand WITH the West against North Korea, North Korea changed. Had China backed North Korea, it would be another Iran.
I would not get too 'relaxed' too quickly...
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NO NUCLEAR DEAL BETWEEN NORTH KOREA, SYRIA: OFFICIAL South Korea's foreign minister on Monday dismissed American allegations that North Korea is co-operating with Syria on a nuclear weapons program. Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...orea-syria.html |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Once you have developed the technology there is no way to undevelop it. The only thing that we can try (which we are and is unsuccessful so far) is to pay off the N.Koreans so that they don't sell the technology to other countries. Since there isn't a shortage of countries that will pay for the technology, I see this the same way as UN Sanctions and they will be close to useless, but we have to try. Because N.Korea did have all those sanctions and signed agreements not to develop nuclear technology and guess what...they either forgot they signed them or they lied.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
I hardly think they forgot, and does giving them money really help? If the US does not give them money will anyone else? I would actually have thought by allowing the people to starve would have caused an insurrection, but it seems the North Koreans are too afraid of the government and the military likes everything just the way it is right now.
On a counter note the Times of India (close in the region) are saying something different:
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The information could have been provided by hawks within the Bush administration who are against the rapidly-progressing deal with North Korea, some experts said. Ref. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/B...how/2371154.cms |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Oh, it is not just the US, the "aid" comes in many forms. The US actually didn't give them money, but unfroze some N. Korean drug money that was locked up in bank accounts so that Kim Jong Il couldn't get it. It was several millions of dollars. The US, Japanese, S.Korean, Chinese, Russians, etc... have all given forms of aid to N.Korean with the idea that it buys a non-nuclear N.Korean. It didn't work...obviously. However, what can you do? There really is no choice. We could isolate them even further, if possible, but what does that buy... That probably is nto the right direction. We could invade them...but that still does not actually remove the knowledge that they have gained, unless we kill everyone involved with the program. We can try to pacify them in hopes that it will keep the genie in the bottle for a while longer. Basically, that has been the choice. However, most all have gone into the decision knowing that the partner on the other end will in all likelihood violate the agreement. Just buying time is all....
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
2 KOREAS SIGN LANDMARK RECONCILIATION PACT
The leaders of North and South Korea pledged Thursday to seek a peace treaty to replace the Korean War's 1953 ceasefire and expand projects to reduce tension across the world's last Cold War frontier.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/200...oreas-pact.html
Here is something interesting to note about how ready the North Korean military is for battle:
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Oil price 'grounds' N Korea fleet North Korea grounds a fleet of Soviet-era military planes because of the high oil price, South Korea's Yonhap says. Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/a...fic/7066087.stm |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Name: Phillip
Comments: I just thought I should say that N.Korea is a hell of a lot weaker than Iraq was, Iraq used to have the 4th largest army in the world, but they were crushed by the U.S. at any time if the U.S. wanted to we could conquer N.Korea in oh say 1 month if we went all out. N.Korea is weak, and is a pushover, but that doesn't mean we should just go conquer them. North Korea also isn't stupid, and I don't think that they would invade south Korea, they know it would mean war with the U.S. and thus the end of Kim Jong Il's regime.