David E. Sanger and William J. Broad, New York Times: A ‘Cuban Missile Crisis in Slow Motion’ in North Korea
WASHINGTON — All the elements of the North Korean nuclear crisis — the relentless drive by Kim Jong-un to assemble an arsenal, the propaganda and deception swirling around his progress, the hints of a covert war by the United States to undermine the effort, rather than be forced into open confrontation — were on vivid display this weekend.
There was the parade in Pyongyang’s main square, with wave after wave of missiles atop mobile launchers, intended to convey a sense that Mr. Kim’s program is unstoppable. Then came another embarrassing setback, a missile test that failed seconds after liftoff, the same pattern seen in a surprising number of launches since President Barack Obama ordered stepped-up cyber- and electronic-warfare attacks in early 2014. Finally, there was the test that did not happen, at least yet — a sixth nuclear explosion. It is primed and ready to go, satellite images show.
What is playing out, said Robert Litwak of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, who tracks this potentially deadly interplay, is “the Cuban missile crisis in slow motion.” But the slow-motion part appears to be speeding up, as President Trump and his aides have made it clear that the United States will no longer tolerate the incremental advances that have moved Mr. Kim so close to his goals.
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WNU Editor: When all is said and done about North Korea, this is what will probably be the end result .... With Few Options, US Doesn't Rule Out Talks With North Korea (New York Times).
The North Korean Crisis -- News Updates April 17, 2017
North Korea launches missile but test ends in failure -- The Guardian
North Korean Missile Launch Fails ‘Almost Immediately,’ U.S. Military Says -- NBC
Trump: US, China working on North Korea problem -- ABC News Online
Trump: China working with US on N.Korean problem -- RT
Trump reportedly considering 'utterly destroying' North Korea's nuclear sites -- 7News
National security adviser: Trump 'will take action' to prevent North Korean aggression against US -- The Hill
Trump 'will take action' to end any North Korea threat to US: top security adviser -- ABC News
North Korea: US, China agree 'provocative' nuclear program cannot continue, Trump adviser says -- ABC News Online
‘Intensive punitive measures’: Regional allies react to US ‘end of patience’ on N. Korea -- RT
Japan PM urges North Korea to refrain from more provocative actions -- Reuters
North Korea tensions pressure Wall Street -- CNBC
China has more options to press North Korea than people think, says former CIA China analyst -- Berkeley Lovelace Jr., CNBC |
Trump's North Korea sabre-rattling has a flaw: Kim Jong-un has nothing to lose -- Tom Phillips and Justin McCurry, The Guardian
Trump’s foreign policy: Speak very loudly and carry a big stick -- Aaron Blake, Washington Post
North Korea Missiles Launches Complete Timeline: A Look At Pyongyang's Nuclear Progress Over The Years -- International Business Times
2 comments:
Russia has reportedly moved weapons towards Vladivostok, just 13km from the border with North Korea. Although unconfirmed by the Russian government, the movement of tanks and missiles was spotted by witnesses living in the border city and posted on social media. According to reports, the military convoy caught on camera included eight surface-to-air missiles. Vladimir Putin already has a major navy base in Vladivostok.
Thank you for the heads up Fred. I have been reading up on that in Russian media. I am waiting for the Western main stream media to pick up that story so that I can post it here.
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