Hello ACoM,The DPRK being loony is a misconception.
Do you realize just what a miracle it is that Kim Jong-il is still in charge of North Korea? That is a work of a genius. An evil genius, but genius nonetheless.
They like to instill a sense of craziness to us because it instills fear. No one really wants to screw around with a guy who's actually really nuts.
But under all of that is a country ruled by a regime that is scared to death of its own implosion. It believes that it can still survive and as long as that belief survives, they are not going to do something truly over the top.
I think the reason why they took so damned long decide what to do about that RoKS Cheonan incident was probably because they didn't expect such high casualties in that attack. Previously they would be pretty vocal about "smashing the puppets of the evil Americans" but this time it was different.
Hopefully the next time they try to pull that sh1t off our guys will just sink all enemy vessels within range.
The bottom line is, North Korea is VERY much afraid of going to war. They practically know that if it comes down to that, they are finished.
partially I agree with you - some might also term Hitler and his Nazis as looney's - despite the issue of Hitler and many in his gang having been a mad genius.
In contra, I believe that as long as the threat of war can be played by Kim - his position is save as ever. His prey and pawn is South-Korea. He and his gang are certainly not in illusion in regards to surviving an outright war towards the USA or China - so the threat towards Seoul needs to be nourished - "smashing the puppets of the evil Americans".
As such the sinking of a RoKS Cheonan is just perfect for the job - maybe more such incidents are needed to keep him firmly in power and "exercises" provide the continued feeding for such "incidents".
I firmly believe that Kim want's peace - he dreams every night of being acknowledged by the USA, so as to continue on his elaborate livestyle - since the US and many other countries are openly not in his favor and as such threaten his future pensionist livestyle - how can the poor man secure his and his families future?
So to me - either smash the bugger once and for all (would include Chinas consent - and China's ability to form the new DPRK government - such as that of the USA in Iraq) or open the borders bring in money and prosperity and most likely an internal revolution will end his reign anyway.
But playing exercises - and lashing back at him with his own favoured rethorics, IMHO is not going to change anything to the better.
Regards
Kruska
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