reply to post by GogoVicMorrow
I wouldn't take it so lightly. The first two weren't just attempts they were successful. I actually thought this would be their fourth
nuke
I believe this is the third nuclear test (detonation), but the fourth or fifth related to nuclear technology.
There were even rumors a couple of months ago that stated North Korea supplied Iran with a software for nuclear simulations - used for both civilian
and military purposes - that is banned under international law.
They are making working nukes, sure their rockets may not be capable of delivering a warhead, but as it stands they would be capable of
dropping one out of a plane, or smuggling it in somewhere.
I believe it's worst than that.
Apparently, from what you can read on the news, North Korea has problems related to the size of their warhead, which could make it too heavy for
transport in a ICB missile. But, the reduction of size could be achieved with some research or "help", and there is exactly the problem you mention
(that there are other means of transportation).
Not to mention they could sell a nuke to any terrorist org they wanted to, Then there is the fact they are working with Iran (several NK
workers were killed the other day in the Iranian nuke facility blast) so they may have help in turning their bombs into smaller warheads.
I don't believe they would do something as stupid as to sell a nuke. Although I don't have a lot of faith in international nuke control, I believe
that would ring a lot of alarms around China, Russia and especially in the West.
But I do agree it's quite possible they are using what they have learned to aid other countries, or by making business transactions with them in
exchange for things North Korea CAN export and produce (nuclear technology).
I think this connects to another problem: the never ending sanctions. Countries like Iran and North Korea are so bombarded with economical warfare,
that their only logical solution is to resort to markets so
underground they aren't even legislated/enforced. Like, for instance, secret
nuclear technology.
We (west) are in such a rush to limit their power, that I think we are taking the risk of overlooking other paths they might follow. If these
countries get into severe isolation, they will aid each-other, like an outcast membership.
Then it's just a matter of getting rockets from China or Iran. Then they wont have to worry about if their rockets work.
I agree, and I think it's even worst than that.
Related to my previous point, I think there are a bunch of countries out there who have just started to realize that the West (Europe + America)
isn't all that powerful and depends a lot on foreign economies being bad (cheap industry, for instance). If countries like India, Pakistan and
others, decide that they can be stronger than the West, and if they believe they can impose their own international rules, we are heading towards very
complicated times.
It's quite a childish example, but it would be the diplomatic situation of a country like India (example) turning it's back to the West, selling and
aiding other countries achieving stronger military power, and they will just turn the West and say "watcha' gonna do? Nuke us? We also have nukes,
and so do they...".
The "I have a bigger stick than you, obey me" only works as long as you really have a bigger stick. Which seems to be turning around. Slowly, but it
is.
Also I often wonder if the western world isn't lying about their rocket capabilities. For example, how we recently knocked their launch only
to find out they successfully put a satellite in orbit. Sure everyone laughed and said "oh it's unstable" but was it really? I personally just have
a hard time believing they are so good at making nuclear bombs, but so bad at making rockets.
I think people often ridicule North Korea because they are too afraid to face the possible reality of North Korean being a real, unstable and
unpredictable nuclear threat.
Let's not forget that the test you mention was failed, but just a couple of months later, they made a successful launch, and if their only problem
now is the satellite keeping an orbit.....that's a minor issue. Even minor if they only have to learn how to make it fall where they want it...