How much of a threat does North Korea really impose to the US?

Answer 1

If we trade nuclear for nuclear, very little since they are long-range missile incapable. If it is a ground war, they could pose a challenge in an urban environment, but we have learned much since Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan militarily. Politically, it could be disastrous unless they make the first hostile act, because we would be just in defending ourselves against a clear and present danger.

The greatest issue here is politics. What is happening is the balance we try to strike between combat effectiveness, politics, and morals. We know there is huge military advantage in bombing a building that contains 12 key enemies, but what of the 4-year-old girl who has been taken to provide shielding against American and coalition forces? These are rarely accidental when collateral damage is involved, these are guerilla tactics by an enemy who knows he cannot stand a traditional war.

It is hard for many Americans to get past the media blitz that tells them we were annihilated in Vietnam. Easier is to ask many a historian who will tell you that we lost politically and morally, because of these similar guerilla tactics. We chose, as a military inexperienced in dealing with this problem, to pull out and study this experience. The result is our improved capability, but it isn't perfect.

If North Korea does gain long-range capabilities then that complicates things further. We will likely retaliate any nuclear threat with nuclear in trade which will reduce our casualities on the ground, but will surely cost many who perished in the initial volley of attack by North Korea.

Worst still, is that many innocent North Koreans who are victims of propaganda and circumstance will die and never experience the kind of educational revolution that is occuring right here in Afghanistan and Iraq where I now serve. These people will learn in a generation or so why we chose to enter their country. However a war with North Korea will be harder fought, both militarily and idealogically.

Answer 2

They are not really a threat to us because there missles are of 1940's era but they are a threat to our buddy's in there area and we are "The World Police".
Also they are China's number one trading partner so we have to be nice.

Answer 3

In theory, a lot... nuclear arms are very dangerous... but do I think they'll actually do something big? Not likely... the US would destry their entire country if nuclear war broke out - especially if "trigger finger" Bush is still in power when something happens.

I would be more worried about China.

Answer 4

I'd say almost nothing compared to US? Nothing. OUr economy is bigger than the next seven countries combined! ANd our defense system is bigger than the next four countries! They probably don't stand too much of a chance. Why try to go to war with a coutry who has 300 million people(by october), a huge economy and defenses, and who will probably kill them?

Answer 5

Unfortunately a lot, I lived through the Cuban missile crisis and the Russians were a lot more civilized than Kim's regime.

Answer 6

Possibly the greatest threat ever in american history

Answer 7

i dont think none. if u.s stop doing business with them we probably can give some of the jobs to people in the u.s to make the things that we go to the dollar store for... if we do that then the u.s would probably be a threat to them. they wouldnt have support from the u.s...

Answer 8

I like Sushi Rolls as much as you do.
The US rules ! Lets not fight over dinner.
Let them put on a show and have another drink.

Answer 9

I think they are ultra-nationalistic to keep the people in check, and therefore need an enemy, real or fiction, to galvanize the people.

- "busy giddy minds with foreign quarrels" - Shakespeare, Henry IV

Answer 10

About as much as a child in a sand box