”We do not seek a regime change, we do not seek the collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th parallel [the border with South Korea].
“But you are presenting an unacceptable threat to us, and we have to respond.”
“We’re not your enemy, we’re not your threat but you’re presenting an unacceptable threat to us and we have to respond.”
(Rex Tillerson)
This week the US military shot down a medium-range target ballistic missile in its latest test of the country’s THAAD defence programme.
The launch, conducted over the Pacific Ocean, was the 15th time the weapons system had successfully intercepted a test target.
(Source: Express.co.uk)
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/836830/North-Korea-tensions-US-aircraft-carriers-peninsula-waters
One wonders just how much of a threat North Korea really is. Not much I would imagine. The US can easily deal with any of NK’s missiles practically the moment they leave the launch pad. In some respects, Tillerson’s comments seem somewhat reverse of the truth. However, with media hype and “sabre-rattling”, I think the US is trying to embolden NK: an excuse to retaliate to an apparent threat. Unless the China-Russia coalition intervene and reign in the seclusive nation. Or take more drastic action should such an approach fail. Perhaps China is quite deliberately “failing” to reign in Kim Jong Un and the US is taking precisely the path China wants them to?
Heck, I’m no expert on the “wheels within wheels” world of military and political strategy. What do you think?
I’d like to think China is smarter than to engage in direct open warfare with the US and continue with low key, assymetric techniques. China seems to understand well that America’s military is both it’s greatest strength and it’s Achilles Heel.