Melissa: Some weeks ago I replied to Randy's thinking outside the box, I wrote about N Korea having the technology to reach N America with EMP weapons.  Strange that yesterday there were reports that the US Gov has the same concerns? Not really, they knew all along.   I also wrote back to Gino about the speed at which this could all happen but the reply did not make it on the forum for some reason.  (I think I forgot to sign my name)  regardless.  

Some thoughts on the current situation that you might find frightening.  For decades the US and South Korea have isolated the north and fortified themselves against the North.  It has worked well up to this point. In the last several weeks we have seen an escalation in the reported movements of strategic weapons platforms.  B52, Nuc Sub, B2, F22 and lastly thus far a Destroyer Group.  The question we are taught to ask in staff college is why, what has changed, what could this mean.  

The why is straightforward, something has changed with N Korea's capability, there is more threat than planned for.  Or the nature of the threat has changed for example the old model was that the north would send conventional forces through the DMZ.  Now the new model is a robust missile attack.  which leads me to hypothesize that there is more of a missile threat than expected.  The destroyer group has integrated Anti-Missile technology to counter missiles after they have been launched and robust surface to surface Cruise Missile weapons to neutralize the launch sites.  The other advantage of the destroyer group is reaction time, from the moment a launch is detected to activation of countermeasures is measured in minutes vice hours as with the other strategic weapons platforms. (Nuc Sub excluded but they have a relatively low number of cruise missiles, their main weapon is nuclear )  

So what is up with china?  One of the few friends N Korea has yet they have put a large number of troops on alert and done some shifting around.  Again Why? I can think of two reasons why and one why not. One they are concerned about refugees, if there is a major outbreak in hostilities nuclear or conventional people are going to want to put as much space as they can between their families and the fighting.  They can't go south they can only go north to China.  The second reason would be defection of N Korean Military units, Remember the first Gulf War, whole unites surrendered on mass.  It happens with conscript armies...a lot.  But they won't just run away they will take their tanks and APC's with them and China will need a force to meet and disarm them to maintain order.  They are not planning on invading North Korea.  It is likely a containment policy only.

So are we provoking them?  I would argue that the real provocation was done at the UN with the addition of new sanctions.  But what do I know?

Also I wrote previously that the connection between N Korea and Iran is documented to death so of course this is part of a greater plan.  You can't take out a superpower like the US on one front alone.  Multiple targets from multiple weapons, synchronized to create the desired effect.  

Do not be dismayed God has a plan you are part of it.  Stay the course, Hold the line, Victory is at hand.

Tom