Could the U.S. be putting increased pressure on NK in hopes of causing an inside break in Kims inside circle leading to a possible overthrow?
I’d be surprised if we had reliable intelligence on the political dynamics within the inner circle of the N.K. government.
If that’s what the US is trying to do I think it’s a long shot. NK may interpret a preemptive attack as the US attempting to initiate regime change. Seoul, with 10 million people, is only 35 miles from the DMZ and there are 10,000 NK artillery pieces pointed at them. Any miscalculation could trigger a wider war if China comes to the aid of NK. A huge risk IMHO, but our president seems willing to take that risk.
If that’s the intention, then it’s an utterly colossal gamble, ISTM. I suppose the roulette wheel sometimes lands on your number, but it seems a lot more likely to me that things would get worse rather than get better.
Every time you push on an opponent there are umpteen different possible good and bad outcomes of varying likelihood. Is the Kim regime imploding one of them? Sure.
Would a thoughtful US administration launch even a minor provocation (or minor response to NK provocation) expecting that’s the most likely way the dominos will shake out? Hell no.
Is that what a very much non-thoughtful US administration is doing right now? Ask the Magic 8-ball. That’s probably effectively what they did.
In exactly what way is North Korea a threat to the American way of life with freedom and liberty? Except by triggering even more knee-jerk Patriot Acts to erode our liberty.
Trump whatever-gets-me-ratings-today/deflection/“oh, shiny object” Doctrine.
I like Shiny Object Doctrine. That fits to a tee. Plus we can call it SOD.
SOD’s good. I like it.
Ref my post #5 I counter-propose “M8BD”.
Which can be pronounced like “maybe” as in “I have no idea why I did <whatever>; maybe it was <this> or maybe it was <that> or maybe just because?”
With a little more contortion it can also be pronounced like “made me” as in “The other guy made me do it”. If Trump and Kim get into a tangle I predict the “he made me” line is going to get a yuge workout.
… or is that :eek: ?
You’re gonna confuse lots of metalheads who will think you’re talking about Stormtroopers Of Death.
I don't see the outcome as smooth diplomatic and face saving.
Whatever gave you the idea that anything diplomatic was coming? 
This is also a solid contender. I’ll run this up the flagpole with my test audience and let you know what wins. I may use both! 
(It would explain so much.)
It the other way around. Many believe Kim Jong-un is having hard time keeping his power so is starting the war rhetoric and nuclear program as major distraction.
When you distract people away from you and the other enemy is the only thing on people mind.
On flip side his military generals could get tired of this war rhetoric unless the military generals feel they could be in danger.
But the thing is any government coup would just put other dictator in power.
A government coups and government overthrow don’t bring about democracy and accountability.
So if there is government coup in North Korea you most likely will have other dictator.
The Chinese will, and it’s their game. Who knows, maybe they’ve done what the US does and approach opposition military figures discretely with a large Swiss bank account and the promise of a new life.
Trump wants to look busy for the sake of a gullible domestic audience who wants to see major cock waving whenever possible for its tax dollars.
Great shots of the aircraft carrier for domestic corporate media- make sure you get plenty of planes on the deck and a giant flag flying - yay!
Trumpo the Magnificent can pose on that aircraft carrier with a banner saying ‘Mission Unaccomplished’.
Thats basically what has happened for the last 20 or so years. The DPRK has gone from a potential programme, to an actual device, to soon to have an ICBM. The fact is that the previous sanctions are not working and Trump seems to have come around to that idea.
So what if he goes and meets Kim III? Cannot lead to anything worse than what has happened thus far.
By threatening us, South Korea, and Japan with nuclear weapons.
Regards,
Shodan
It does not have a viable delivery system (re-enrty issues).
It might be bluffing on miniturisation, who knows.
Unless Kim challenges him to a bare-chested knife fight, each tied to the other by the wrist, and both gurgle out their lives on the sawdust strewn arena floor.