First, it is insane that 1/3 of respondents would want to take military action to attempt to disarm North Korea of its nuclear weapons. Do these people understand that the nuclear weapons are *intended* to prevent us from attacking them? Do they realize that North Korea could *launch* those weapons at the US if the US did in fact attack? That's why they've got 'em. The regime saw what happened in Libya after Gaddafi gave up the Libyan nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. I would venture to say that the outcome was not good for Gaddafi or for Libyans writ large, since their country has been a playground for proxy wars between other countries for a decade at this point.
Second, as Daniel observes, it is absurd to make North Korean nuclear disarmament a precondition for negotiations. North Korea's nukes represent the only leverage the regime has, and it is a significant piece of leverage. Why would anyone (including North Korea) willingly give up the best piece of leverage it has prior to a negotiation? That's ass-backwards. North Korea is not an exception to the basic dynamics of bargaining. They would like to negotiate from a position of strength and aren't going to give up their key piece of leverage.
Finally, we have to appreciate that the key leverage we used to have -- sanctions relief -- isn't the kind of incentive that it used to be. China is developing an independent economic bloc that will be capable of supporting North Korea, and North Korea will seek to become part of that bloc rather than giving up its nnuclear weapons and subjecting itself to the same fate is Libya.
The Blobification of the media has poisoned the minds of Americans, just as it has removed the last vestiges of government responsiveness to the public. No one cares what the American people think about foreign policy or militarism. They have no input on the subject and if they have the temerity to elect someone who opposes some portion of the Blob's agenda, the Blob will emasculate (or efeminate?) the politician instead of following his/her orders.
The stupidity of US policy toward the DPRK is only matched by the policy toward Iran, Venezuela and the other disobedient nations. No one in DC seems to realize that the Empire is dead. Everyone knows the senile Emperor is naked. They can either continue to bully everyone until someone strikes back or they can face facts and end the Empire. The Blob has already made its decision. What we think is irrelevant.
On the one hand, the foreign policy establishment insists on North Korea denuclearizing because they know that the North Korean leadership would have to be insane to agree to such a thing.
The reason for such insistence is because anything short of total capitulation, Team R will scream "communist!" at any Team D president that reaches a peace deal, and Team D will scream "Putin puppet!" at any Team R president that reaches a peace deal.
First, it is insane that 1/3 of respondents would want to take military action to attempt to disarm North Korea of its nuclear weapons. Do these people understand that the nuclear weapons are *intended* to prevent us from attacking them? Do they realize that North Korea could *launch* those weapons at the US if the US did in fact attack? That's why they've got 'em. The regime saw what happened in Libya after Gaddafi gave up the Libyan nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. I would venture to say that the outcome was not good for Gaddafi or for Libyans writ large, since their country has been a playground for proxy wars between other countries for a decade at this point.
Second, as Daniel observes, it is absurd to make North Korean nuclear disarmament a precondition for negotiations. North Korea's nukes represent the only leverage the regime has, and it is a significant piece of leverage. Why would anyone (including North Korea) willingly give up the best piece of leverage it has prior to a negotiation? That's ass-backwards. North Korea is not an exception to the basic dynamics of bargaining. They would like to negotiate from a position of strength and aren't going to give up their key piece of leverage.
Finally, we have to appreciate that the key leverage we used to have -- sanctions relief -- isn't the kind of incentive that it used to be. China is developing an independent economic bloc that will be capable of supporting North Korea, and North Korea will seek to become part of that bloc rather than giving up its nnuclear weapons and subjecting itself to the same fate is Libya.
The Blobification of the media has poisoned the minds of Americans, just as it has removed the last vestiges of government responsiveness to the public. No one cares what the American people think about foreign policy or militarism. They have no input on the subject and if they have the temerity to elect someone who opposes some portion of the Blob's agenda, the Blob will emasculate (or efeminate?) the politician instead of following his/her orders.
The stupidity of US policy toward the DPRK is only matched by the policy toward Iran, Venezuela and the other disobedient nations. No one in DC seems to realize that the Empire is dead. Everyone knows the senile Emperor is naked. They can either continue to bully everyone until someone strikes back or they can face facts and end the Empire. The Blob has already made its decision. What we think is irrelevant.
On the one hand, the foreign policy establishment insists on North Korea denuclearizing because they know that the North Korean leadership would have to be insane to agree to such a thing.
The reason for such insistence is because anything short of total capitulation, Team R will scream "communist!" at any Team D president that reaches a peace deal, and Team D will scream "Putin puppet!" at any Team R president that reaches a peace deal.
Therefore, nothing can be done.