<!--QuoteBegin-reasa+Mar 1 2005, 10:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (reasa @ Mar 1 2005, 10:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> On a scarier note this would add a bit of...justification to an invasion should we ever be stupid enough to try and invade NK. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I'm curious: Inavade Iraq = not stupid. But: Invade NK = stupid?
<!--QuoteBegin-SkulkBait+Mar 2 2005, 10:26 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SkulkBait @ Mar 2 2005, 10:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-reasa+Mar 1 2005, 10:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (reasa @ Mar 1 2005, 10:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> On a scarier note this would add a bit of...justification to an invasion should we ever be stupid enough to try and invade NK. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> I'm curious: Inavade Iraq = not stupid. But: Invade NK = stupid? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Well, taking into account the fact that we're already in two countries now, attacking ANY other country at this point is stupid. <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Sky+Mar 2 2005, 11:45 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sky @ Mar 2 2005, 11:45 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-SkulkBait+Mar 2 2005, 10:26 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SkulkBait @ Mar 2 2005, 10:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-reasa+Mar 1 2005, 10:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (reasa @ Mar 1 2005, 10:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> On a scarier note this would add a bit of...justification to an invasion should we ever be stupid enough to try and invade NK. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> I'm curious: Inavade Iraq = not stupid. But: Invade NK = stupid? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Well, taking into account the fact that we're already in two countries now, attacking ANY other country at this point is stupid. <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> In that sense, sure. But why was Iraq given priority over the NK? And now that we're stuck in Iraq for a while, who knows how much power the NK will gain. I guess what I'm asking is, what makes the humanitarian problems in Iraq worthy of invasion but not the ones in the NK (which is dangerously close to our good buddies in SK)?
iraq was given priority over north korea because of saddam's "link" to 9/11. We didn't invade iraq because of humanitarian problems. and the DPRK has been pulling this sort of **** for years, it just wasn't considered newsworthy.
another reason attacking NK is stupid is because the NK military is a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT stronger than saddam's bunch of ragtag goons. plus they have china next to them who will not tolerate an invasion of NK. remember the FIRST korean war? over a million chinese crossed the border to fight around 50000 US troops + change of UN buddies. soviets also sent pilots (figures off the top of my head. check a source for actual figures but there was a lot of chinese and russian support)
So its true what we've been saying all along about Iraq? It was just an easy target? It seems to me that the humanitarian "iraqui freedom" thing was the fallback when the people didn't buy the "link" to 9/11 and WMD stories. At least, thats what it seems the war supports have been saying.
<!--QuoteBegin-SkulkBait+Mar 3 2005, 01:38 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SkulkBait @ Mar 3 2005, 01:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> So its true what we've been saying all along about Iraq? It was just an easy target? It seems to me that the humanitarian "iraqui freedom" thing was the fallback when the people didn't buy the "link" to 9/11 and WMD stories. At least, thats what it seems the war supports have been saying. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> We can not invade NK for one simple reason: China.
Use your head and stop trying to associate our more moderate stance on NK with our invasion into Iraq. Bush may talk tough and make a good sound bite or two, but he’s not as dumb as you Bush-haters like to assume. He’s not going to run headlong into a war we can't win without a nuclear confrontation.
Wow. First of all, the United States is not afraid of China, and China would know better to take a seat if anything were to happen. China is one of, if not the, fastest growing economy in the world. The United States is an essential asset to its exporting process. However, the inverse is NOT true. Also; one less Nuclear Power would do nothing but please China. The Communist Revolution is over, it's safe to close the history books for now. North Korea is more of a threat to China than it is to the United States.
Second, the North Korean military is not by any means top of the line. The ONLY redeeming factor of its military is its air force. But even then, its air power is dwarved by that of the United States. Let's also remember that Korea is an ISOLATED nation. China is the only bordering country. There is little way for a foreign insurgency to interfiere in any kind of occupational process. The North Korean people are already SUPPORTIVE of the United States who provides most of its foreign relief. That leaves North Korea with only its formal army, which has virtually no chance.
Why haven't we invaded? 1) Kim Jong isn't an idiot. 2) The United States has little to gain. Why shouldn't we invade? I, personally, don't have enough faith in our intelligence system that we'd be able to strike every nuclear target prior to invasion in order to prevent any kind of nuclear recourse directed to any neighboring nation. It's simply not worth invading if we can talk things through. Kim Jong is not looking to be a nuclear power; he wants political gain.
My biggest worry is if the nukes somehow messed up and Kim Jong Il turned into a midget Hulk with bad hair
As far as China goes, in 10 years they won't need the U.S. consumers as much anymore. They're projected to have the highest amount of purchasing power in the world by then.
As far now, does China fear the U.S? In one case you have Taiwan.
In the other hand you have that American Spyplane they took down not so long ago.
and lets also not forget that NK have confirmed stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, unlike iraq, which have been hampered by UN inspections and such. NK have been free to develop chemical and biological weapons for many years, they've now added nuclear weapons to their arsenal. i think estimates are that between 1 in 3 or 1 in 2 NK bombs/artillery shells are chemical or biological tipped. invading NK would certainly lead to "unconventional" warfare
<!--QuoteBegin-Antrel+Mar 3 2005, 10:13 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Antrel @ Mar 3 2005, 10:13 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Wow. First of all, the United States is not afraid of China, and China would know better to take a seat if anything were to happen. China is one of, if not the, fastest growing economy in the world. The United States is an essential asset to its exporting process. However, the inverse is NOT true. Also; one less Nuclear Power would do nothing but please China. The Communist Revolution is over, it's safe to close the history books for now. North Korea is more of a threat to China than it is to the United States. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> So you don't think China would get involved at all if we made the foolish mistake of invading NK with ground forces? They would just calmly let us waltz in and set up an American-backed Democracy in NK? It is my opinion that China is using NK as lever to keep the pressure on us. I’m not saying they hold sway over NK just that their in no hurry to stop them. As for NK being a threat to China, what evidence do you have for that? NK isn't going to touch China and it never will. Just because China has shown interest in expanding its economy does not mean it has become a friendly capitalistic society that would never do anything to hurt its trade with the USA. Closing the history books here, or ever, is always a big mistake.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Second, the North Korean military is not by any means top of the line. The ONLY redeeming factor of its military is its air force. But even then, its air power is dwarved by that of the United States. Let's also remember that Korea is an ISOLATED nation. China is the only bordering country. There is little way for a foreign insurgency to interfiere in any kind of occupational process. The North Korean people are already SUPPORTIVE of the United States who provides most of its foreign relief. That leaves North Korea with only its formal army, which has virtually no chance.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I fully believe the entire population of NK would fiercely resist any US invasion. They have almost no knowledge of the outside world, many of their citizens don't even know what the US is or why we would ever want to invade them. They would believe what ever lies the government tells them. Remember Baghdad Bob? Imagine an entire country full of people who have nothing but that to rely on for outside information and have no choice but to believe it. Wouldn't be too hard to turn them against us, think of what a US solider would look like them. Nearly twice their height, clad in armor, we would look like mythological giants to these backward people. I imagine it would be like what would have happened if the US had tried to invade Japan after WWII.
North Koreans love their leader. They are indoctrinated from birth to love their leader. They blame the US for most of their ills.
One of the biggest reasons that we won't invade the DPRK, is that the number of artillery shells that they can rain down upon Seoul, is measured in thousands/minute. We could take the army easily. They would pose no great threat to the American military (we would take more losses than in Iraq, definately, which the American people would detest, but we would still dominate in a short war). Once we win the war, we'll have to fight an insurgency several times larger than what we face in Iraq, which isn't good. We could let South Korea take over, since they have a large, modern army and a people that are identical to the North Koreans in every single way (genetically, culturally, etc) except politically.
I don't think China will intervene against the US if we invade the DPRK. We are too close economically to risk such an encounter. If the DPRK was invaded and forced to become a democracy, then China would probably be happier, since that would eliminate the biggest cause of instability in that region. China would be **** as hell if we started a war (so would Japan and South Korea), since it could destabilize the region. Once (if?) the area is stabilised, I really do think they would be happier.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So you don't think China would get involved at all if we made the foolish mistake of invading NK with ground forces? They would just calmly let us waltz in and set up an American-backed Democracy in NK? It is my opinion that China is using NK as lever to keep the pressure on us. I’m not saying they hold sway over NK just that their in no hurry to stop them. As for NK being a threat to China, what evidence do you have for that? NK isn't going to touch China and it never will. Just because China has shown interest in expanding its economy does not mean it has become a friendly capitalistic society that would never do anything to hurt its trade with the USA. Closing the history books here, or ever, is always a big mistake.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
China's arsenal can be dated almost as old as Iraq's former military. North Korea has an even (though slightly) newer arsenal. Nothing good could come of China's intervention of North Korea. And I'll reiterate that China is extremely close and reliant of American trade. IF America were to invade North Korea, it would be a nuclear power they wouldn't have to worry about. It would be a winning situation provided we did manage to take out the priority targets required to launch a nuclear strike. Relying on a historical account under which the circumstances were EXTREMELY different in order to state some kind of reoccurance is rediculous, and that is why I'm telling you to close the book.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I fully believe the entire population of NK would fiercely resist any US invasion. They have almost no knowledge of the outside world, many of their citizens don't even know what the US is or why we would ever want to invade them. They would believe what ever lies the government tells them. Remember Baghdad Bob? Imagine an entire country full of people who have nothing but that to rely on for outside information and have no choice but to believe it. Wouldn't be too hard to turn them against us, think of what a US solider would look like them. Nearly twice their height, clad in armor, we would look like mythological giants to these backward people. I imagine it would be like what would have happened if the US had tried to invade Japan after WWII. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Do you have any idea how much foreign aid is FLOWN into North Korea? Planes marked with flags of different nations. Unless the North Korean army has completely blanketed the sky, they know that some kind of outside force is trying to feed them. Just because the government lies to them doesn't mean they'd believe it. Just because little information is handed to them doesn't mean they're retarded. Anybody who sees a massive, uniformed army, that is fully equipped and well-fed while at the same time they themselves as civilians are struggling for food and shelter would know something is going on. Statistics have shown that there are more American flags raised in North Koreans than there are Korean flags. You also cannot compare the state of North Korea today to that of WWII Japan. Japan was flourishing, giving the people an actual reason to support their government. North Korea obviously isn't.
I'd also like to comment on the Baghdad Bob issue. Most Iraqis didn't even believe him. Most Iraqis also had other news sources, including Al-Jazeera (Who was just as much anti-Saddam as they were 'Anti-American'). I think you seriously underestimate peoples' abilities to have common sense.
<!--QuoteBegin-master wong+Mar 7 2005, 08:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (master wong @ Mar 7 2005, 08:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> long rule empire of china and north korea, f the rest... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Huh?
GrendelAll that is fear...Join Date: 2002-07-19Member: 970Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, NS2 Playtester
edited March 2005
<b>Tactical reality newsflash</b>
In order to attack a country, you have to be able to amass troops on their borders. To keep those troops in the fight, you have to maintain a logistics centre.
If your enemy (NK) has tactical nuclear weapons, then this simply becomes impossible. Kim Jong Il, should he possess a tactical strike capability, will be quite prepared to use them. Why? Well, he'll be looking at spending the rest of his life in some American jail if he doesn't.
So for all the swagger and rhetoric coming out of the White House for the moment, there's actually nothing they can do until they get an accurate intelligence estimate of whether North Korea has nuclear weapons or not.
I'll wager China knows exactly what NK's nuclear capability is and is probably intending on using that information to get as much out of Bush's administration as possible.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->In order to attack a country, you have to be able to amass troops on their borders. To keep those troops in the fight, you have to maintain a logistics centre.
If your enemy (NK) has tactical nuclear weapons, then this simply becomes impossible. Kim Jong Il, should he possess a tactical strike capability, will be quite prepared to use them. Why? Well, he'll be looking at spending the rest of his life in some American jail if he doesn't. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I addition to that, you can easily understand why certain nations are condemmed as evil and restricted from aquiring nuclear technologies and yet are so keen on doing so. (like Iran). Simply because nuclear capacity is a sure way to gain political independence, since it denies the option of military intervention in future conflicts.
Comments
I'm curious: Inavade Iraq = not stupid. But: Invade NK = stupid?
I'm curious: Inavade Iraq = not stupid. But: Invade NK = stupid? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, taking into account the fact that we're already in two countries now, attacking ANY other country at this point is stupid. <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I'm curious: Inavade Iraq = not stupid. But: Invade NK = stupid? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, taking into account the fact that we're already in two countries now, attacking ANY other country at this point is stupid. <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In that sense, sure. But why was Iraq given priority over the NK? And now that we're stuck in Iraq for a while, who knows how much power the NK will gain. I guess what I'm asking is, what makes the humanitarian problems in Iraq worthy of invasion but not the ones in the NK (which is dangerously close to our good buddies in SK)?
We can not invade NK for one simple reason: China.
Use your head and stop trying to associate our more moderate stance on NK with our invasion into Iraq. Bush may talk tough and make a good sound bite or two, but he’s not as dumb as you Bush-haters like to assume. He’s not going to run headlong into a war we can't win without a nuclear confrontation.
Second, the North Korean military is not by any means top of the line. The ONLY redeeming factor of its military is its air force. But even then, its air power is dwarved by that of the United States. Let's also remember that Korea is an ISOLATED nation. China is the only bordering country. There is little way for a foreign insurgency to interfiere in any kind of occupational process. The North Korean people are already SUPPORTIVE of the United States who provides most of its foreign relief. That leaves North Korea with only its formal army, which has virtually no chance.
Why haven't we invaded? 1) Kim Jong isn't an idiot. 2) The United States has little to gain. Why shouldn't we invade? I, personally, don't have enough faith in our intelligence system that we'd be able to strike every nuclear target prior to invasion in order to prevent any kind of nuclear recourse directed to any neighboring nation. It's simply not worth invading if we can talk things through. Kim Jong is not looking to be a nuclear power; he wants political gain.
As far as China goes, in 10 years they won't need the U.S. consumers as much anymore. They're projected to have the highest amount of purchasing power in the world by then.
As far now, does China fear the U.S? In one case you have Taiwan.
In the other hand you have that American Spyplane they took down not so long ago.
So you don't think China would get involved at all if we made the foolish mistake of invading NK with ground forces? They would just calmly let us waltz in and set up an American-backed Democracy in NK?
It is my opinion that China is using NK as lever to keep the pressure on us. I’m not saying they hold sway over NK just that their in no hurry to stop them. As for NK being a threat to China, what evidence do you have for that? NK isn't going to touch China and it never will. Just because China has shown interest in expanding its economy does not mean it has become a friendly capitalistic society that would never do anything to hurt its trade with the USA. Closing the history books here, or ever, is always a big mistake.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Second, the North Korean military is not by any means top of the line. The ONLY redeeming factor of its military is its air force. But even then, its air power is dwarved by that of the United States. Let's also remember that Korea is an ISOLATED nation. China is the only bordering country. There is little way for a foreign insurgency to interfiere in any kind of occupational process. The North Korean people are already SUPPORTIVE of the United States who provides most of its foreign relief. That leaves North Korea with only its formal army, which has virtually no chance.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I fully believe the entire population of NK would fiercely resist any US invasion. They have almost no knowledge of the outside world, many of their citizens don't even know what the US is or why we would ever want to invade them. They would believe what ever lies the government tells them. Remember Baghdad Bob? Imagine an entire country full of people who have nothing but that to rely on for outside information and have no choice but to believe it. Wouldn't be too hard to turn them against us, think of what a US solider would look like them. Nearly twice their height, clad in armor, we would look like mythological giants to these backward people. I imagine it would be like what would have happened if the US had tried to invade Japan after WWII.
One of the biggest reasons that we won't invade the DPRK, is that the number of artillery shells that they can rain down upon Seoul, is measured in thousands/minute. We could take the army easily. They would pose no great threat to the American military (we would take more losses than in Iraq, definately, which the American people would detest, but we would still dominate in a short war). Once we win the war, we'll have to fight an insurgency several times larger than what we face in Iraq, which isn't good. We could let South Korea take over, since they have a large, modern army and a people that are identical to the North Koreans in every single way (genetically, culturally, etc) except politically.
I don't think China will intervene against the US if we invade the DPRK. We are too close economically to risk such an encounter. If the DPRK was invaded and forced to become a democracy, then China would probably be happier, since that would eliminate the biggest cause of instability in that region. China would be **** as hell if we started a war (so would Japan and South Korea), since it could destabilize the region. Once (if?) the area is stabilised, I really do think they would be happier.
It is my opinion that China is using NK as lever to keep the pressure on us. I’m not saying they hold sway over NK just that their in no hurry to stop them. As for NK being a threat to China, what evidence do you have for that? NK isn't going to touch China and it never will. Just because China has shown interest in expanding its economy does not mean it has become a friendly capitalistic society that would never do anything to hurt its trade with the USA. Closing the history books here, or ever, is always a big mistake.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
China's arsenal can be dated almost as old as Iraq's former military. North Korea has an even (though slightly) newer arsenal. Nothing good could come of China's intervention of North Korea. And I'll reiterate that China is extremely close and reliant of American trade. IF America were to invade North Korea, it would be a nuclear power they wouldn't have to worry about. It would be a winning situation provided we did manage to take out the priority targets required to launch a nuclear strike. Relying on a historical account under which the circumstances were EXTREMELY different in order to state some kind of reoccurance is rediculous, and that is why I'm telling you to close the book.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I fully believe the entire population of NK would fiercely resist any US invasion. They have almost no knowledge of the outside world, many of their citizens don't even know what the US is or why we would ever want to invade them. They would believe what ever lies the government tells them. Remember Baghdad Bob? Imagine an entire country full of people who have nothing but that to rely on for outside information and have no choice but to believe it. Wouldn't be too hard to turn them against us, think of what a US solider would look like them. Nearly twice their height, clad in armor, we would look like mythological giants to these backward people. I imagine it would be like what would have happened if the US had tried to invade Japan after WWII. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Do you have any idea how much foreign aid is FLOWN into North Korea? Planes marked with flags of different nations. Unless the North Korean army has completely blanketed the sky, they know that some kind of outside force is trying to feed them. Just because the government lies to them doesn't mean they'd believe it. Just because little information is handed to them doesn't mean they're retarded. Anybody who sees a massive, uniformed army, that is fully equipped and well-fed while at the same time they themselves as civilians are struggling for food and shelter would know something is going on. Statistics have shown that there are more American flags raised in North Koreans than there are Korean flags. You also cannot compare the state of North Korea today to that of WWII Japan. Japan was flourishing, giving the people an actual reason to support their government. North Korea obviously isn't.
I'd also like to comment on the Baghdad Bob issue. Most Iraqis didn't even believe him. Most Iraqis also had other news sources, including Al-Jazeera (Who was just as much anti-Saddam as they were 'Anti-American'). I think you seriously underestimate peoples' abilities to have common sense.
Huh?
In order to attack a country, you have to be able to amass troops on their borders. To keep those troops in the fight, you have to maintain a logistics centre.
If your enemy (NK) has tactical nuclear weapons, then this simply becomes impossible. Kim Jong Il, should he possess a tactical strike capability, will be quite prepared to use them. Why? Well, he'll be looking at spending the rest of his life in some American jail if he doesn't.
So for all the swagger and rhetoric coming out of the White House for the moment, there's actually nothing they can do until they get an accurate intelligence estimate of whether North Korea has nuclear weapons or not.
I'll wager China knows exactly what NK's nuclear capability is and is probably intending on using that information to get as much out of Bush's administration as possible.
If your enemy (NK) has tactical nuclear weapons, then this simply becomes impossible. Kim Jong Il, should he possess a tactical strike capability, will be quite prepared to use them. Why? Well, he'll be looking at spending the rest of his life in some American jail if he doesn't.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I addition to that, you can easily understand why certain nations are condemmed as
evil and restricted from aquiring nuclear technologies and yet are so keen on doing so. (like Iran).
Simply because nuclear capacity is a sure way to gain political independence, since it denies the option of military intervention in future conflicts.