Threat from the DPRK (North Korea)

[Kinser79]

(09-18-2017, 02:22 PM)David Horn Wrote:

(09-15-2017, 06:37 PM)Warren Dew Wrote:

(09-15-2017, 10:44 AM)pbrower2a Wrote: China has stated that it will oppose American aggression (as in first strike or invasion) of North Korea but will be neutral in the event of North Korean aggression. As I see it Chinese neutrality about a conflict between North Korea and either South Korea, Japan, or the United States would be like throwing North Korea to the wolves.

Firing a missile over another country's territory is itself an act of war even if a military response to such may be unwise.

Do you have a reference on China saying they would oppose an American first strike?  Or does that just mean "oppose diplomatically" without military opposition?

Are you a gambler?  Since we can't know how this will play for sure and the results range from a nothing burger to nuclear war, are you willing to bet?

Considering the PRC's economic reality I would say it is safer to take the bet now than to take the bet later when Kim not only has nukes but has the means to deliver them.  The Chinese are unlikely to go to nuclear war with a state that they rely on for grain and for the means to purchase the raw materials to power their export based economy.

As it stands it would take 2 years for Brazil or a similar country to move from whatever cash crop to rice to feed China, and as for oil they would be limited to Iran, Venezuela or Russia, and probably only Iran and Venezuela as relations with Russia are tepid at the best of times.

China has far more to lose stepping in to defend Kim if the US strikes now.