Comments on: Responding to North Korea

By: charles austin

charles austin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:53:54 +0000

If, as sometimes happens under the best of circumstances when launching a rocket, there is a catastrophic failure to launch, who thinks the North Koreans won't blame it on sabotage or some other overt act by the United States and/or South Korea and/or Japan?

Then what?

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:13:48 +0000

My guess is all of the above. Plus a demonstration of capability for prospective customers.

And, of course, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:02:14 +0000

Dave -

What would be the real motivation for the timing of this "test?"

Is it technical: to test the launch capabilities?

Is it political specific: to test the resolve of the new administartion?

Is it political general: to test the influence the current Administration has on the UN and other players?

I'm surprised Bernard Finel has not weighed in. Is this not squarely within his sphere of expertise?

By: charles austin

charles austin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:50:56 +0000

Right at the moment the Obama Administration has quite a bit on its plate.

As I understand it, he asked for the job. In fact, he spent a lot of money to get it.

I saw part of a series on US Presidents last night on the International History Channel and one of the things they noted was that US Presidents reputation, or legacy if you prefer, is almost always decided by events utterly beyond their control.

By: John425

John425 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:10:27 +0000

Author: "Right at the moment the Obama Administration has quite a bit on its plate."

Dang those pesky North Koreans for not waiting for their turn to be mentioned on the teleprompter!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:32:37 +0000

I wonder if we could modify one of those laser-carrying 747 to bake the missile with EM radiation for an extended period to try and cause electronics failure before it even launches. Best result all around is for a "malfunction" on the pad.

By: Hoodlumman

Hoodlumman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:21:01 +0000

Not to worry. This guy has decades of experience.