Wayne, that is a sad reality for most people around the world. I'm sure everyone except the hardcore pacifists
(is that an oxymoron?) and staunch enemies of Western Society really wish that some sort of disciplinary strike could be used to slap some sense into NK and its ludicrous cartoon-character leader, but we all know the real issue is the Chinese connection.
Lil' Kim is playing on that like a spoiled kid messing with people, counting on the people knowing that if they spank his ass, it may lead to a nasty fight with his big brother.
So instead of beating the lttle punk, the people ask his brother to please keep him under control. Big brother China agrees the lil' bastard is getting out of hand but does very little because of his own insecurities and his need to keep the "family" intact.
Afraid of showing any sign of weakness, China desperately perpetuates its role as a deterrent to Western military action, but they sleep uneasily at night, fearing that the out of control little prick will eventually go too far and force the others' hand, leaving them in the uncomfortale position of having to then decide what to do - shut up and back down, or stand up for family and escalate to all out conflict with the West. It is that realisation we can only hope will prod China's self interest into clipping NK's wings, before they get forced into a war they cannot win.
The danger on the other side of the coin is that China, in their cultural way of thinking, may see Western restraint as fear or weakness and, fortified by the economic woes in the West, actually encourage NK to keep pushing just to see how far the US will continue to back down. Games of chicken often reach a point where something eventually has to give and, with such high stakes, the $hit will hit the fan big time.
As much as many would like to paint Obama as a wuss, consider for the sake of argument the possibility that he isn't (
I know, I know). While it is always
comforting to label someone you dislike and distrust as a coward, it is also wise to know your enemy.
Obama's run from obscurity up to the highest office in the US is peppered with examples of a cold, calculating shrewdness. He systematically eliminated obstacles and seized on strategic opportunities. With the goal line in sight, he handily dispatched the powerful Clinton alliance and went on to calmly defeat the formidable McCain/Palin opposition. His track record may not say much about the skills and experience necessary to lead the nation, but it does point to a man driven to achieve what he wants and, more importantly, equipped with the brass ball$ to make it happen - whether you like him or not. He's not stupid either and he also knows that he is yet to prove to the American people that he is a capable Commander in Chief. That, and with the spectre of another election looming on the horizon, his own self interest could just make him dangerous.
Based on that and without bias or emotion, I submit that there is a 50/50 chance that Obama will take a stronger stance against North Korea than any president in the modern era.
My own probably unrealistic wish is that the US would be able to take some sort of action to blow that next missile to kingdom come. Ideally, it should be a surgical, stealthy operation that would leave everyone wondering WTH just happened. US response to the ensuing outcry should be silence. Fall short of outright admitting responsibility but knowing damn well everyone gets the message. Reiterate that any incursion by the North into South Korea will, as always, be met with forceful mititary reprisal. Bank on the reality that China will piss and moan but save face and take the out that the US offers them (through a lack of aggressive military posturing) and sensibly shy away from escalation. Hey - a guy can dream, right?
