Trump's North Korea Obsession

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Trump is no peace champion. He's a warrior president like his predecessors - serving Wall Street, war-profiteers and other monied interests exclusively.

Hillary's defeat didn't dodge a nuclear bullet. It gave Trump the trigger, perhaps willing to squeeze it to prove his toughness.

He escalated Obama's wars, recklessly threatened Iran and North Korea, and broke his pledge to improve relations with Russia.

Does he have another war in mind? His hostility toward the Islamic Republic could head things toward another major conflict, what Netanyahu urged for years, wanting its major regional rival eliminated.

Reportedly, revised US military options on North Korea include a military response if its military conducts another nuclear test - or a ballistic missile one, showing an ability to strike the US.

On Wednesday, National Security Advisor McMaster said "(w)hat we have to do is prepare all options because the president has made clear to us that he will not accept a nuclear power in North Korea and a threat that can target the United States and target the American population."

He lied claiming a DPRK threat, calling it "much more immediate now," adding "(w)e can't repeat the same failed approach of the past."

"The president has directed us to not do that and to prepare a range of options, including a military option…nobody wants to take."

They'll be increased pressure on Pyongyang, he stressed, saying efforts will be evident in the coming weeks - with no further elaboration.

North Korea threatens no one. Throughout its history, it never attacked another nation. Its nuclear and ballistic missile programs are solely for self-defense - justifiably fearing possible US aggression.

McMaster's hostile rhetoric followed US/Beijing failure to announce joint action to freeze Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs last week during their first Diplomacy and Security Dialogue in Washington.

The Trump administration wants China doing more to curb these programs, mainly by tough economic, financial and trade measures.

McMaster said it's up to "China and the world" to address what he called "the North Korea problem," stressing "denuclearization of the peninsula is the only appropriate and acceptable" solution."

Giving up its main self-defense protection would leave it vulnerable to possible US aggression, the lesson it understands, knowing what happened to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and other countries America raped and destroyed.

For now, Washington hopes Beijing will get tougher on North Korea. China National Petroleum Corp. suspended fuel sales to Pyongyang. For how long remains unclear.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Trump are discussing North Korea at the White House today. He favors improved ties with Pyongyang - at the same time saying constructive dialogue isn't possible as long as its nuclear and ballistic tests continue.

North Korea has thousands of underground national security facilities, the world's fourth largest military, about 200,000 special forces, nukes and ballistic missiles, along with around 10,000 artillery pieces and mobile missiles able to strike all US regional military bases.

While no match against Washington's military might, it's able to inflict enormous regional damage if attacked.

It's powerful enough to give Trump and hawkish US generals pause about likely severe consequences if they launch naked aggression on the DPRK.

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