North Korea Attacks South Korea

[CID1990]

Yes. Bloodbath, but a short one.

South Korea would be mopping up the last of North Korea's military capability within 4-5 months of the start of hostilities, but there is always the nuclear wild card to deal with, too. North Korea would certainly use them.

We'd have to hope that the North Korean military, when given to order to use nukes, would refuse. Unlikely though, besides, Kim would probably fire them himself.

Of course this is all irrelevant, I don't see anyway that a fight could escalate and not include us and China.

China would intervene if it looked like the South Koreans were about to erase North Korea, but you can take THIS to the bank:

We would not fire a single shot. ESPECIALLY when the Chinese get involved.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

We'd have to hope that the North Korean military, when given to order to use nukes, would refuse. Unlikely though, besides, Kim would probably fire them himself.

Of course this is all irrelevant, I don't see anyway that a fight could escalate and not include us and China.

China would intervene if it looked like the South Koreans were about to erase North Korea, but you can take THIS to the bank:

We would not fire a single shot. ESPECIALLY when the Chinese get involved.

you really think the chinese don't simply say to NK "you're on your own"? they have so much to lose economically - why side with nutsy fagin? why risk 30 years of growth and development for a shithouse rat dictator?

[BlueHen86]

We'd have to hope that the North Korean military, when given to order to use nukes, would refuse. Unlikely though, besides, Kim would probably fire them himself.

Of course this is all irrelevant, I don't see anyway that a fight could escalate and not include us and China.

China would intervene if it looked like the South Koreans were about to erase North Korea, but you can take THIS to the bank:

We would not fire a single shot. ESPECIALLY when the Chinese get involved.

Do you think we should bring our troops home then? If we think South Korea can beat North Korea without our help, and we aren't gonna help if China gets involved, should we get out?

Or do you think our presence there keeps China in check?

[mainejeff]

Do either of them have oil???.......if not......meh.

[CitadelGrad]

China would intervene if it looked like the South Koreans were about to erase North Korea, but you can take THIS to the bank:

We would not fire a single shot. ESPECIALLY when the Chinese get involved.

Do you think we should bring our troops home then? If we think South Korea can beat North Korea without our help, and we aren't gonna help if China gets involved, should we get out?

Or do you think our presence there keeps China in check?

The 2nd Infantry Division is not keeping China in check. It's our air and naval power in the Pacific that is keeping China from running wild. There is no point at all in having US ground forces stationed on the Korean peninsula. It's long past time to redeploy them.

[BlueHen86]

Do you think we should bring our troops home then? If we think South Korea can beat North Korea without our help, and we aren't gonna help if China gets involved, should we get out?

Or do you think our presence there keeps China in check?

The 2nd Infantry Division is not keeping China in check. It's our air and naval power in the Pacific that is keeping China from running wild. There is no point at all in having US ground forces stationed on the Korean peninsula. It's long past time to redeploy them.

That is my opinion as well. It seems like our troops are sitting ducks and there is no upside to them being there.

[Chizzang]

Do either of them have oil???.......if not......meh.

No critical resources - and - neither have a global corporate value...
So look no further for your reason why we're NOT inexplicably intertwined

[BlueHen86]

Do either of them have oil???.......if not......meh.

No critical resources - and - neither have a global corporate value...
So look no further for your reason why we're NOT inexplicably intertwined

We got involved in the 50's because we thought we had to stop the spread of Communism. Now that Communism isn't the threat we thought it was I don't see why we don't get out of there. At least get our troops out.

If North Korea launches a strike that kills American troops we've got to respond don't we? It seems that our troops increase the chances that things could escalate. If there is an upside to them being there I'd like to know what it is.

[CID1990]

China would intervene if it looked like the South Koreans were about to erase North Korea, but you can take THIS to the bank:

We would not fire a single shot. ESPECIALLY when the Chinese get involved.

Do you think we should bring our troops home then? If we think South Korea can beat North Korea without our help, and we aren't gonna help if China gets involved, should we get out?

Or do you think our presence there keeps China in check?

Our troops are not holding China back in terms of their numbers, but their mere presence represents a supportive policy towards South Korea. That's the symbolism. In terms of being able to do anything about a Chinese incursion they are not there for that.

Personally, I also do not see the need for the majority of our ground forces other than those that support our air and naval operations there. That being said, if you have an air or naval base, then you need troops to hold it if necessary.

South Korea could easily whip the North Koreans, but China would not allow that. My assertion was based solely on the capabilities of the two Koreas and not allowing for outside intervention.

[CID1990]

China would intervene if it looked like the South Koreans were about to erase North Korea, but you can take THIS to the bank:

We would not fire a single shot. ESPECIALLY when the Chinese get involved.

you really think the chinese don't simply say to NK "you're on your own"? they have so much to lose economically - why side with nutsy fagin? why risk 30 years of growth and development for a shithouse rat dictator?

You are thinking too much like a Westerner and less like a Confuscian Asian.

North Korea is beneficial to China in many ways, some that are not so obvious. Whole volumes could be written on this, but just keep in mind that China shares no borders with countries that could be considered strong allies of the US with the exception of Mongolia, and that is not exactly a grand strategic partnership. (Kyrgystan, et al are still in the Russian sphere even though they do allow us an airbase).

China is not going to want to share a border with a Korea unified under the Southern banner.

China was on its way to economic reform when it invaded Vietnam in the late 1970s, and this was just a punitive measure against the Vietnamese. It had nothing to do with anything other than showing the little brother who was boss (over Vietnam's involvement in Cambodia and the rest of SE Asia).

Rest assured, China's interest in a peaceful North Korea has absolutely nothing to do with altruism or anything. It has everything to do with the fact that they know they will have to move back into Korea if the north appears ready to fall in a conflict. Don't think for a second that it won't happen.

[SuperHornet]

Now that we have shooting wars on at least three fronts, is the Congress going to up end strength?

Don't bet your house on it....

[mainejeff]

Now that we have shooting wars on at least three fronts, is the Congress going to up end strength?

Don't bet your house on it....

We could always send TSA employees over there..........