(08-11-2017, 05:34 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: Now, according to Fox News, China is saying they will defend North Korea if we carry out a pre-emptive strike.   They will remain neutral if North Korea attacks us first.  

This seems to mean NK is free to carry on with their nuclear program as long as they don't attack us first.  

This is not good.

I know I'm replying to myself, but I think if the Chinese say they will not defend NK if they attack the US first, then the first thing to do is to get their definition of what constitutes an attack on the US.  

Ask them, if NK fires missiles that land within 20 miles of Guam, do they consider that an attack on the US?   In other words, now that they have said that it is possible for them to abandon NK, figure out exactly what they mean.  Get the Chinese to tell us exactly what line NK would have to cross in order for China to stand aside.

That doesn't mean we have to agree with them, but I'd sure like to know more precisely where China would stand if we got into a shooting war with NK.

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(08-11-2017, 05:02 PM)B2hibry Wrote:

(08-11-2017, 02:37 PM)Byron LeftTown Wrote: From China's response, the situation is clearly as I described - North Korea is China's rabid dog they keep chained up in the back yard.  A war with NK is a war with China.  Still eager to get it started?  We are moving military assets into China's shadow.  I'm not sure how wise that is.  

When you get Generals running things, every solution is...WAR!  That should be just the ticket for the collapsing economies of both USA and China. /s

Not a fair or real assessment. Retired Generals will try most everything to stay away from a war scenario. They know exactly what it's about, have been a part of many detailed planning sessions and most likely have had to deal directly with a family of KIA. They are usually the level headed advisor of those that have zero clues. With that said, there will be necessary tough talk, and maybe even action to ensure the country and the allies they have served and continue to serve will not fall to some big mouth crazy person with a short-man syndrome. Not everyone is cut out for selfless sacrifice or making the tough decision. I feel confident with whom the President has surrounded himself with.

That's true.   It's usually the chicken-hawk blow-hard politicians who want to send other people to war, and the generals who have actually seen war who are the last ones to want to go to war.

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