Nuclear War--Opinion Post

There Are 2 Ways We May Enter a Catastrophic War with North Korea.

• By the year 2019 --2 years into Trump presidency-- NoKo will have developed a powerful enough missile to strike either Japan or South Korea..naturally resulting in loss of life. This is because, even though the US have slapped sanctions on North Korea, China will continue to buy coal from NoKo...their main export (although in a recent meeting with President Xi Jinpeng, Trump and Jinpeng had agreed China would ease on purchasing this export. This has not stop China from increasing their other trade with North Korea.)   With this aggression, the US will send troops into South Korea and begin WWIII. We may not send a bomb into North Korea as our first act of war because South Korea, by this year, should have elected a president since elections are currently running. The previous president was impeached for corruption. At the moment, there is an acting president sitting in place. 

OR

• By the year 2020 --3 years into Trump presidency-- Trump may have screwed the middle class so hard by now via Taxes, Healthcare, Social Security, Education for their kids, the extremely rapid increase in Climate Change due to Trumps "War on Science"  with massive, detreimenal cuts to the EPA will take drastic affects on the coastal populations resulting in loss of land/crops on the that we have an all out "new age civil war" consisting of racist rhetoric/ social policies expanding such as the legal segragation at schools in Birmingham AL (2017) that finally bursts combined with the uneven wealth redistribution frustration amongst the middle/lower class add that to when the trade war affects his farmer-base on the South when they cannot replace their Mexican workers, because as the data proves, American workers will not do the physically demanding and mentally grueling work in exchange for extremely low wages (by American economic standards) all the while, Trump having sowed enough distrust into the Pro-Trump population by diluting their ability to sort fact from fiction when the Trump family is brought into question because of the "dishonest media".   This has now created an alternate political and social reality to the public.   (**Fun Fact: This is also a Russian KGB tactic known as "Information Warfare" **.)    All the while, North Korea has now "quietly"--in quotes because the American public is more focused on domestic issues than international in this particular time-- has been able to finally develop their Nuclear War Head.  2020 is the exact year scientists had predicted their arsenal capabilities would be numerously extended by.  In the end of this lead up, North Korea will taunt Trump. Trump will respond in his famous "child-like manner" and releases bombs. In response, NoKo will drop a nuclear bomb in the United States starting WWIII, and we respond with irreconcilable damage.

What North Korea Learned From The Fate Of Muammar Gaddafi

• The lynching of the Libyan leader after he had renounced nuclear weapons and the hanging of the Iraqi president have been cited by the North Korean media as the rationale for their own country's determination-- a dictator who wants to hold on to power should also hold onto his nuclear weapons.
• The last 20 years have provided Kim Jong-il with numerous cautionary tales of dictatorships defeated:
• The Iraqi army was toppled in 1991.
• NATO triumphed over Milosevic in 1999.
• U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003.
• Iraq War in 2003: Kim Jong-il disappeared from public view for 44 days in fear of assassination. It was assumed at the time that the Leader feared an attempt by Tomahawk missiles.
• November 2010: a visiting American scientist was stunned to be shown a room full of centrifuges used for enriching uranium, the necessary ingredient for a nuclear bomb.
• March 2011: As NATO operations in Libya began, a North Korean spokesperson announced the lesson that Kim's regime had learned:

• "It has been shown to the corners of the earth that Libya's giving up its nuclear arms. ... was used as an invasion tactic to disarm the country by sugarcoating it with words like 'the guaranteeing of security' and the 'bettering of relations.' 

• The Dear Leader (Kim Jong-il) has learned through careful observation that the only true security guarantee for a fragile autocracy, one that must fear internal dissent as well as outside aggressors, may be a nuclear arsenal.

• After Pyongyang's nuclear test in January 2016, a commentary in North Korea's media said: "History proves that powerful nuclear deterrence serves as the strongest treasured sword for frustrating outsiders' aggression.
• As it is sometimes put: "Gaddafi gave up the bomb and lost his head.   Saddam was toppled because he did not have it."

• We can safely understand that North Korea's nuclear program is about security - it is, by their estimation, the only reliable guarantee of the country's basic sovereignty, of the Communist regime's control, and of the rule of Kim Dynasty.

*History of Muammar Gaddafi's Fall from Power (1969-2011)*

• In 2003: The overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq forces strategic rethink. 
• Gaddafi begins a policy of rapprochement -harmonious relationship- with the West.
• Britain supports resolution to lift sanctions against Libya.
• Gaddafi is one of the first to issue an arrest warrant for Osama bin Laden.
• Accepts Libyan responsibility for Lockerbie in a  letter to the UN.

• In January 2005: Libya's first auction of oil and gas exploration licenses heralds the return of US energy companies in more than 20 years.

• In February 2006: 10 people+ killed in clashes with police in Benghazi.
• Part of a wave of international protests by Muslims who are angered by a Danish newspaper's cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. 

• In February 2011: Inspired by revolts in other Arab countries during the Arab Spring, especially neighboring Egypt and Tunisia.
• Violent protests break out in Benghazi which spread to other cities, leading to escalating clashes between security forces and anti-Gaddafi rebels.

• In March 2011: UN Security Council authorizes a no-fly zone over Libya and air strikes to protect civilian.
• NATO assumes command.

• In July 2011: The International Contact Group on Libya refuse to recognize Col. Muammar Gaddafi as Libya's leader. Instead the ICG, confirmed the main opposition group, the National Transitional Council (NTC), as the legitimate government of Libya.

• In August 2011: Col. Gaddafi goes into hiding after rebels swarm into his fortress compound in Tripoli. 

• October 20, 2011: Gaddafi is captured and killed as rebel fighters take his hometown Sirte. 
• 3 days later: the NTC declares Libya to be officially "liberated" and announces plans to hold elections within 8 months.

What is the Yemen Crisis?

• Yemen was ruled for a millennium by Zaydi Shia imams until 1962.

• The Houthis were founded as a Zaydi Shia revivalist movement.

• Instead of religious demands, the Houthis' demands have been primarily economic and political in nature.

• Fears of what is seen as "Iranian Expansionism" through its support for Shia-armed groups >>Political commentators in the Arab Gulf states often claim that Iran now controls four Arab capitals: Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut and Sanaa.)

• Events in Yemen are viewed as part of Saudi Arabia's "Cold War" with Iran.

• Complete dissatisfaction with the Yemeni government and the failure in the political transition to the current President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, also included:
• Being plagued with attacks by Al-Qaeda 
• A separatist movement in the South
• The continuing loyalty of many military officers to the previous 30-year military coup ruler (Ali Abdullah Saleh)
• Corruption
• Unemployment
• Food insecurity

Many ordinary Yemenis--including Sunnis--supported the Houthis (Shia Muslims)

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• 2013: Yemen's National Dialogue Conference was launched, and was tasked with writing a new constitution and creating a federal political system.

• Houthis withdrew from the process because it left Yemen's transitional government in place.

• 2 Houthi representatives were assassinated during the conference's proceedings.  

• September 2014: The Houthis took control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and proceeded to push southwards towards the country's second-biggest city, Aden.

• December 2014: ISIL announced the formation of a state in Yemen.

• January 2015:  The Houthis reinforced their takeover of Sanaa, surrounding the presidential palace and other key points and effectively placing Mr. Hadi and his cabinet ministers under house arrest.

• In response to the Houthis' advances, Saudi Arabia formed a coalition of Arab states and Western Powers to defeat the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

• March 2015: ISIL claimed its first attack in Yemen--Suicide bombings in 2 Sanaa mosques used by Zaydi Shia Muslims, which killed more than 140 people. 

• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched brutal aerial warfare on the civilians of Yemen to defeat the Houthi rebels and restore Yemen's government.

• The Arab Coalition includes:
• Qatar 
• Kuwait
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Bahrain
• Egypt
• Morocco
• Jordan
• Sudan
• Senegal  

• The Western Powers include:

• USA
• United Kingdom (UK)
• France
• Australia   

>>>Several of these countries have sent troops to fight on the ground in Yemen, while others have carried out air strikes.
>>>The Western Powers have supplied the Saudi-led coalition with weapons and intelligence.

• The United States launches daily air strikes on Al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) targets in Yemen, and recently admitted to having deployed a small number of troops on the ground.

• October 2015: Doctors Without Borders hospital bombed by Saudi-led coalition. Coalition had been given coordinates of the hospital. 12 staff members and patients have been confirmed injured.

• January 2016: Doctors Without Borders hospital hit by a rocket, killing 4 people
•  2,800 civilians had been killed by the fighting in Yemen. 

• 8,100 casualties overall. 

• The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that more than 2.4 million Yemenis have fled their homes to elsewhere in the country. 

• 120,000 have sought asylum in other countries, including Djibouti and Somalia. 

• Both sides have been accused of killing civilians-- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has estimated that Saudi-led coalition air strikes caused almost 2/3 of reported civilian deaths. 

• Houthis have been accused of causing mass civilian casualties due to their siege of Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city-- this prevented critical medical supplies from arriving. 

• March 2016: US military said it intercepted arms shipments from Iran to Yemen, claiming it was the 3rd in 2 months that this had occurred. 
• Iran has denied arming the Houthi rebels.
• Iranian officials have suggested they may send military advisers to support the Houthis. 

• August 2016: Saudi-led massive bombardment of a residential area and a school in Northern Yemen killed at least 19 people.  
• First bombardment: In the village of Birken in the Razih District, near Yemen’s northern border with Saudi Arabia.  

• Struck the home of Ali Okri, a school principal, killing his wife and 4 of their children.  

• A 2nd airstrike killed 4 more of Mr. Okri's relatives who were trying to free them from the rubble. 

• This type of bombardment is known in the war as a double tap. 

• When rescuers took the victims from the principal’s house to Shiara Hospital, which is supported by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders--staff members asked the rescuers to leave immediately, fearing that the hospital would be hit by another airstrike, rescuers said.
•  Second Bombardment: The Haydan District, another northern area: 

• Airstrikes hit a school. 

• Killing 10 students and wounding 28 others.

•  March 2017: At least 4,773 people have been killed with 8,272 injured.  
• 17 million considers food insecure. 

• 6.8 million are SEVERELY food insecure. 

• 3.3 million children/pregnant or breast-feeding mothers are acutely malnourished. 

• 462,000 children UNDER 5 face SEVERE acute malnutrition. 

• 2 million are internal displaced. 

Two Koreas: History at a Glance

• After the defeat of the Japanese empire in World War II (1945), Korea was split into two spheres.  The Soviet Union controlled the territory in the North and the Americans controlled the South. 

• In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting the 3-year-long Korean War.

• Since the signing of the Armistice Agreement in 1953, the North and South have been divided with a demilitarized zone stretching 155 miles.

• As world leaders have come and gone, North Korea's Kim dynasty has remained in power.   After withdrawing from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty in 2003, North Korea has gone on to conducting several nuclear tests, most recently in September 2016.

Today In News: April 26, 2017

Today in News:

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• During the campaign trail, Trump touted his future tax cuts to his base as something that would "benefit working families while ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share."   Trump's tax plan will do the exact opposite.  The Trump administration will cut the income tax rate paid by public corporations to 15 percent from 35 percent and sharply cut the top tax rate by pass-through businesses, including many small business partnerships and sole proprietorships, to 15 percent from 39.6 percent, an official said.

• After another loss to the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday (click here for article),   Trump has repeatedly attacked sitting federal judges and decisions he does not like, an unprecedented criticism for a sitting president toward the judiciary in modern times.   Seems our very own President does not understand what Democracy is after claiming this rejection an "egregious overreach by a single, unelected district judge."

• As a standoff escalated over the reclusive North Korean's development of nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles, President Donald Trump invited all 100 members of the Senate to attend a very unusual meeting at the White House with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Many US Senators believed this unusual meeting was a selfish opportunity for the President to have a photo op for his First 100 Days.

• Trump policy on North Korea appears to be...nothing. It seems, instead, that the NoKo briefing was about optics — an opportunity to make it look like Trump is taking a significant new stance on North Korea when in reality, they’re basically doing the exact same thing the Obama administration did.

• A new amendment to the House Republicans' ObamaCare replacement bill exempts members of Congress and their staff from its effects.   The best evidence yet that the new GOP repeal plan is a disaster for people’s health care is that the GOP exempted members of Congress from living under it,” said Leslie Dach, director of the Protect Our Care Campaign, one of the main groups fighting repeal.  A Washington Post/ABC News poll this week found that 70 percent of the public wants pre-existing condition protections to apply nationwide and not be up to each state. 

• Israel received three F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States at the weekend - a new generation of "near-invisible" planes that critics fear will free the country's hand to launch air strikes and spying operations against neighbouring states undetected.  Israel receives more than $20 billion/year in help from the USA, including aid, cooperation with military industries, preferential trade status, and donations from a network of philanthropic organizations. 

• As the 100-day mark of Donald Trump's presidency approaches, ORC poll finds the President reaches this milestone holding on to the lowest approval rating of any newly-elected president at this stage with 54% disapproval rates, amid sharp partisan divides and a failure to capitalize on post-election strengths. 

 

 

Today In News: April 25, 2017

Today in News:
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• President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, appeared to violate federal law when he failed to seek permission or inform the U.S. government about accepting tens of thousands of dollars from Russian organizations after a trip there in 2015, leaders of a House oversight committee said Tuesday. 

• The Trump administration has denied a request from the House Oversight Committee for more information on payments that former national security adviser Michael Flynn received from foreign governments, including from the Kremlin-backed television station RT and other Russian firms. 

• U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick of San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday barring federal officials nationwide from carrying out the portion of a Jan. 25 Trump executive order aimed at cutting off grants to local governments that won't provide assistance to federal authorities in locating and detaining undocumented immigrants.

• Senators preparing to attend an unusual all-hands meeting on North Korea at the White House Wednesday said they are eager to hear President Donald Trump's views on the increasingly tense standoff with Pyongyang...the only problem: Trump isn't officially confirmed to attend the session, which will bring nearly all 100 senators to an auditorium on the White House campus for an update from top administration officials.

• Leaked budget documents show President Trump intends to strip funding from a state department bureau that promotes women's rights around the world. Trump will also destroy two-thirds of the Bureau for Food Security's resources, and 95% of funds for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

• In her first trip abroad, the First Daughter, Ivanka Trump, was booed and hissed by members of the audience in Germany when she described her father as “a tremendous champion of supporting families and enabling them to thrive." Needless to say, the crowds overseas are not as naïve as their US counterparts on discussions involving feminism.

• Al-Qaeda's, al-Zawahiri, calls for 'guerrilla war' in Syria against Assad and his government forces. 

• The UN has issued a statement on Yemen: "17 MILLION will face famine."