An Analysis On The Long-Term Strategic Implications Of North Korea's Nuclear Arsenal

Gabriel Elefteriu, Policy Exchange: After the North Korean crisis

Even if war is averted, the aftermath of the current crisis will likely see America devote much more attention and resources to northeast Asia on a permanent basis, or risk the erosion of its strategic position in the region. In any scenario, global stability and international security will be diminished.

In the current North Korean crisis there are essentially only two alternatives: war or a continued form of peace. An intermediate option short of all-out war, in the form of a “limited strike” by the U.S. – either preventive, aiming solely to disable the North’s nuclear arsenal, or reactive, in response to some reckless step by Kim Jong-un, such as firing at Guam or even at Alaska – does not exist. Pyongyang is certain to answer any form of attack on itself in a way that would make escalation to a general war inevitable.

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WNU Editor: No one has yet to seriously examine the long term implications of North Korea's nuclear arsenal .... but this analysis is a start. My must read article for today.