North Korea Nuclear Effort Seen as a Top Threat to the U.S.
National intelligence director James Clapper reported North Korea as the United States' biggest threat regarding nuclear weapons - a title previously held by Iran. Though Washington has not forgotten Iran, as it does pose a variety of other problems, North Korea's recent testing of nuclear weapons and launching a satellite leaves us to worry about their capability to launch an attack. With the United States government struggling to control North Korea's government, Obama has persuaded Chinese president Xi Jinping to use its own influence to rein in North Korea. Thus far, the US has taken action by moving to install an air defense system for South Korea - an act which could upset the Chinese government. What more could the US government do, if anything, to address the situation? As North Korea has been testing nuclear weapons illegally for years, it seems that there is little that will keep them under control. Should the government act more directly, before the threat becomes a reality? Or should we instead take a more passive approach?
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Besides installing a nuclear defense system in South Korea, I don't think there's anything else the US government could do to improve this cituation. And, I think the threat North Korea poses is already a reality. The only the thing the US government can do to reduce the risk of nuclear war and improve global security is works towards universal nuclear disarmament.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea has been illegally testing these weapons for a long time, so I don't think attempted negotiation will change any of their plans. I think upsetting China is a poor decision because they are a huge connection to the Koreas and the region, but I don't see another plausible idea. Passive approaches aren't the answer in this case.
ReplyDeleteIn order to address this situation and try to reach Kim Jong Un, the US needs to fulfill any reasonable request and be as friendly as possible with China in to seduce them into influencing North Korea. We should not take a passive approach, as the threat of a nuclear attack from North Korea becomes a more real possibility. The best thing to do is to maintain good relations with China, and through them, the US may have a chance to speak directly with the North Korean government.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Steve, I think that the US should work to improve relations with China and then try and influence North Korea to end the nuclear weapons programs. This is a very difficult task, however, as the US and China certainly don't see eye to eye on everything. I don't know what else would work, but something needs to be done before North Korea becomes more dangerous.
ReplyDeleteAs stated above, I believe that the US should try to improve relations with China. China can provide a channel of communication to North Korea. It is easier said then done, but it would be worth it. I also do not think a passive approach is the best choice when dealing with nuclear weapons.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Steve as well. China is the our best bet in order to ease tension between North and South Korea. If we were to improve our relationship with China, their representatives may have the ability to try and regulate the decisions North Korea is making with nuclear testing. North Korea is definitely not going to take our requests for regulation well; it may not be perfect, but North Korea may respond better to an outreach from China.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea has posed a threat that we can't simply ignore. Considering the fact that China has influence over North Korea our best bet would be to cooperate with them. That cooperation would also entail not upsetting China. Cooperating with China will most likely give us a stronger force with which to reckon with North Korea.
ReplyDeleteThis situation is so tricky because we need a defense for a "just in case situation" but at the same time setting it up brings about a higher likely hood that we will need them. I'm not sure if the misled defense in South Korea was a good idea or not but I believe that improving diplomatic relations with China is our best bet, the seem to be the only one who has power over North Korea.
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