Name:   copperline - Subject:   Speaking of Preparation Date:   3/29/2016 9:10:33 AM

There is a big debate in foreign policy circles about whether North Korea is a "rational actor" or an "irrational actor".   It's a tough one to make a call on from my POV.   Kim Jong Un may well think of himself as a god, that's the narrative his family has imposed on No. Korea for 2 generations now.... On the other hand, their use of ridiculous (but deadly) threats has been the only effective means they have had for exercising influence and getting concessions from other countries.    Ultimately, those sort of threats will run out of steam, and if he is an irrational actor he could resort to suicide.  After all, death isn't particularly frightening if you are a god.

From what I can tell, he has been eliminating top level advisors & long-time government officials in what appears to be an effort to prevent forces in his government from deposing him.   And while I'd like to see him disappear, we aren't in a position to do anything (beyond the severe economic sanctions) except confront him militarily... a direct attact on him would have completely unacceptable outcomes for us in every scenario imaginable.   I just hope that China sees the wisdom in taking him out, that's our best hope right now.   He may be irrational, but the Chinese certainly aren't.

In the meantime, we need something like an "Iron Dome" missile defense system around them... but is something like that feasible?