Korean standoff continues

NO POSITIVE OUTCOMES ON THE HORIZON

AVOIDING CONFLICT IS UNLIKELY

While the American press and the public is obsessed with rehashing the 2016 election, the confrontation between North Korea and its neighbors and the United States is at a standoff. 

It is unlikely that North Korea will ever give up its quest for nuclear tipped ballistic Missiles.

President Trump and defense secretary James Maddis have made it clear that a nuclear armed North Korea with capabilities to hit the U. S. mainland is unacceptable. 

North Korea eventually wants a unified Korea under the control of the communist government of the north.

The United States cannot back down and the North Koreans will not curtail their quest to be a major nuclear power.

Congress will not likely give Trump the OK to preemptively strike North Korea but the preparations are underway for the possibility of a massive strike. 3 Carrier groups are now in position to strike North Korea. The Air force has called up 1000 retired pilots. The Air force has put the Bombers on alert as in the days of the cold war. The message is being sent that we are ready and able.

The next step will likely be an increase in sanctions on anyone dealing with North Korea. There is the possibility of a naval blockade on shipping to and from North Korea. The screws are being tightened until something gives. It will either be a submission by North Korea, unlikely, or a compromise by the U.S. equally unlikely. 

The most likely possibility is a a strike or provocation by North Korea that will allow the U.S. to respond in a massive defensive retaliation.

While this is a lose lose situation, it may be better to get it over with while North Korea is still incapable of retaliation against the U.S. mainland.

North Korea has threatened the U.S., formally threatened Australia, Japan and South Korea. Such threats can no longer be dismissed or tolerated.