Since launching a series of missiles less than a week ago, the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Il, has yet to face the promised consequences of his actions. The United States and Japan were particularly vocal in their opposition to the planned missile launches, which were known of weeks in advance. However, the collective warnings issued by the two countries must have sounded more like barking puppies to Kim Jong Il, who has long engaged the West with a far more inflammatory line of rhetoric.
The past few days have surely exceeded Kim Jong Il's highest expectations. Despite the numerous threats issued prior to the launches, neither the United States nor Japan has been willing to put a little bite behind its bark. For the North and many another enemy of the West, there's an important lesson to be learned: nuclear states can get away with anything. (Are you listening, Ahmadinejad?)
On Friday (July 7), a Japanese newspaper reported that the North's long-range missile, the Taepodong-2, which the country launched on July 5, targeted waters near Hawaii. The North immediately dismissed the report, claiming instead that the missile launches were devoid of hostile intent.
"This is not an attack on someone," argued the North's councilor at the U.N. mission in Geneva, Choe Myong-nam.
But isn't it? When one takes into account the rhetoric that accompanied the launches, Myong-nam's position is hard to defend. In fact, just one day prior to the missile launches (July 3), the North threatened the United States with an "annihilating strike and a nuclear war."
Weeks earlier (June 18), a similar threat was issued by the North, when the country promised to “mercilessly wipe out” US forces.
On Thursday (July 6), the North mocked international criticism of its missile launches and, yesterday, Kim Jong Il called the United States "our archenemy." He vowed not to compromise on the North's nuclear program, adding that his country is prepared for "all-out war" with the United States.
Still, the daily verbal assaults directed against the United States do not constitute the greatest threat emanating from the North. Instead, the United States must concern itself with the second Taepodong-2 missile that the North has already prepared for launching.
Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time. Rather than take the action needed to neutralize the North's ever more threatening posture, the president has appealed to the United Nations in order to diffuse the crisis. Apparently, the president overlooked the fact that passing a legitimate resolution in the UN is like passing a kidney stone — it's slow, painful and generally unsuccessful.
Article comments
1 - JP
If this is the first thing that "leaves me to question his ability to lead our nation," join the club.
2 - JustOneMan
So Dr...do you think the military should have a section in the NYT that would give a daily update on our "covert" and secret actions?
I have to belive if this was a REAL threat we would have blown it upo while still in the launch pad...
Dont let your anti-Bush view of the world get in the way of reality....remember its another cold war...
3 - Bliffle
Bush blew his wad on the unnecessary and useless war in Iraq. How stupid.
4 - Peter J
It doesn't matter if the launch was an idle threat. Bush caught his little dick in his zipper again with one of his 'Bring it on' stances.
Only a fool issues a warning he's not willing to back up.
5 - JustOneMan
You 2 guys Barfle and Pud...are pathetic...if he did blow it up you would be whining that he is a war monger...
Keep spiting up more nonsense from Howard Deans DNC playbook...it does sound pretty pathetic
6 - Ray Ellis
Ever notice how JustOneMan spits and sputters a great deal, but never says anything?
7 - Peter J
Ignore him, He'll go away
8 - Maurice
"Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time. Rather than take the action needed to neutralize the North's ever more threatening posture, the president has appealed to the United Nations in order to diffuse the crisis. Apparently, the president overlooked the fact that passing a legitimate resolution in the UN is like passing a kidney stone " it's slow, painful and generally unsuccessful."
Great writing. You haven't plagiarized I hope.
9 - Dr Politico
Maurice,
"Great writing. You haven't plagiarized I hope."
Thanks and never.
10 - Bliffle
This situation illustrates the failing of a strong president (or dictator): Every decision MUST go thru him, even relatively small decisions. He is The Decider. Any Pretenders to Decidership are punished and consequently initiative dies in a CYA environment. But The Decider has neither bandwidth nor knowledge adequate to handle all the inputs he has and all the decisions he MUST make. Ultimately, chaos develops.
11 - Peter J
If Bush keeps drawing lines in the sand we're going to wind up in the ocean.
It's embarrassing to acknowledge his office.
12 - JR
Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time.
Shouldn't that be "worse"?
13 - Dr Politico
JR,
"Shouldn't that be "worse"?"
Actually, "worst" functions as an adjective as well as a noun and adverb.
Still, I meant to use "worse," but oversights will occur during proofreading. I hope I haven't offended you too much.
14 - JustOneMan
WARNING WARNING
Editor...just because you dont agree with someones response or defense of a position allows you to edit amd or eliminate their posts
So how much is the DNC paying you guys? hmmmm Based upon the level of posters in here they are not getting their monies worth...in addition your supposed to make the left louie Dems looks smart and enlightend...based upon what I am reading in the above posts you are allowing them to sound like the bunch of pathetic Dumbocrats who throw stones but offer no solutions...thats no way to win elections...
keep up the good work!