The new old war in Korea

[Occhidiangela]

Here's the NKDH: the North Korean Diplomatic Heuristic.

1) Make an agreement not to be crazy anymore, in exchange for nice stuff.
2) Act crazy.
3) Repeat.

As to whether this becomes "Obama's dumb war", I think this is a nonsensical comparison. Obama is not looking to attack North Korea. If NK does not fire the first shot* neither the US nor South Korea is going to pull the trigger. If North Korea does commit to a war, the US would be obligated to defend, not least by the fact that US troops are already on the front lines. That wouldn't be a stupid war, that would be a necessary war.

-Jester

*That is to say, forces a war, rather than just sinking a ship.

I am sorry, Jester, but what in the name of sacred feces do you mean by "Just sinking a ship?"

North Korea already fired the first shot, ask the families of the 48 dead sailors. FWIW, the US got all shiggy with Viet Nam over a lot less, but, this is a different situation. The lead is in Seoul. Whomever suggested that this is Obama's war is, IMO, very mistaken. It is Lee's war, if it is anyone's, though I am sure we'll help if he needs it.

The "stupid" in Obama's current wars, that he took over, is that the timeline for withdrawal in Iraq is slipping. (News article about three weeks ago, that cropped up as the post election violence in Iraq reached its predictable levels. Hopefully, someone in DC has told the Americans who made such commentary to shut up and get with the program).

Supposed to be down to 50K by 31 August. I'd rather see the withdrawal accelerated, but I am not in charge.

Why do I mention this? President Obama has constrained options vis a vis Korea while he leaves American troops stuck in the Iraq tar baby.

Occhi