Clinton secured release?

[CounterCircular]

I would not look at NK having 1.2 million troops, or however many millions even China has, as much of a concern.

When it comes right down to it, the US has military capabilities far beyond anything they've allowed the public to see thus far. One of their recent little packages can be delivered to a battlefield from miles away, it opens up, and about 30 little armored vehicle/tank missiles with smart technology go after the vehicles with almost 100% accuracy. Those that cannot find a target self-destruct to minimize collateral damage. NK could have 500 tanks, we could sen one aircraft and from many miles away, these little devils would destroy their tanks completely before they knew what happened to them.

We have laser-guided space technology decades beyond other powers that can deliver stealth weapons that annihilate targets with precision like you cannot imagine.

The capabilities of our forces are so superior in ways the public will never know. Countries like China and Russia are aware that what we possess is well beyond the scope of their military capabilities. We exercise restraint with NK, and Iran, but make no mistake, when it comes down to it, IF it were necessary as a defensive strategy, NK could be disposed of in short order without lifting one nuclear weapon. I recently sat listening with awe at some of the latest technology we have. Not what we are researching, but what is already on the palate of choices should they be needed. I don't worry about China or other countries. While they may posture in a threatening manner from time to time, they are keenly aware that for anything they might try to do, the retaliation would far outweigh any gain.

I will always hope that this world finds the resolve to live more like civilized people of the 21st century. A recent discussion where I mostly listened involved alien contacts with earth, and the idea that advanced life forms witness the savagery that still exists among humans in the 21st century, and therefore may not consider humans ready for a first contact scenario. The theme being that our willingness to destroy life and resources is revolting to them. Not sure what I believe, but if an outside alien race is watching us, they cannot be too impressed with our stewardship of the one planet that sustains our existence.

By the way, Clinton is used to pudgy dictasters indeed.

[SallyLightfoot]

I don't think that we're worried about NK's conventional forces, but collateral damage to its neighbors is a major concern. And while it's true that our spying, bombing and destructive firepower is unmatched, technology has limits. Holding territory is still as costly as ever in terms of lives and money, and last I checked, we're pretty maxed-out on both counts.

When you're a country with a lot to protect, it can be dangerous to attack a country that has nothing to lose. The track record for military conflicts with superpowers against 3rd world countries is startlingly poor.

Anyway, I think we agree-- deterrence does work. My point was that we had limited options with regard to this petty incident, because a military option would be reckless. Kinda like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan_Island_incident" target="_new">Hainan Island Incident</a> in 2001. If that event had happened a year earlier while Clinton was still in office, I'm sure we'd have heard deafening complaints by the right wing think tanks about appeasement and such.

[glokstadt]

Well he's still a stud as ex Presidents go, he showed up, met with the Il'in and took home the two reporters... A great days work. [:p]



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[glokstadt]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>I think it's awesome. Go Bill ! I saw on one news site that this is a win-win situation for all sides. NK got its apology, as well as "the respect it so desperately craves" with a visit from a former president. ha ha ! While we avoided escalation of a tricky situation. Such a complicated dance, diplomacy. But a welcome sight, nonetheless.
[/quote]

Yep, the Nukes are standing down, we hope...