"If we continue on this path of confrontation," warns North Korea's foreign minister Ri Su Yong, "this will lead to very catastrophic results, not only for the two countries [the United States and North Korea] but for the whole, entire world as well." The only thing that has changed in Pyongyang's all-too-familiar act is that it now threatens not only the United States and our allies but the whole planet. Because it now says it has a missile that can reach this nation's "interests," which can be found all over. Who says North Korea's vision is limited?
In a separate but equal exercise in futility, Washington has responded in its usual way: "We call again on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations." So says Katina Adams of our own State Department, who can call on Pyongyang to respond all she likes--but will it respond in any way different from its usual one? And so this less than great game continues. Only bigger and worse. Especially given the signals her boss keeps sending, year after year.
Colin Powell once spoke to a group of newspaper publishers in San Francisco not too many years ago. Someone asked about the threat of nuclear weapons from North Korea. His answer: The United States has made it clear to Pyongyang that if it ever ordered a nuclear attack on this country, North Korea would cease to exist.
You could have heard a pin drop in that room of 900.
So far, that policy of deterrence has worked. But only because North Korea has believed us. How long before it doesn't? Better asked: How many red lines must turn pink, then disappear altogether, before our enemies in this world no longer believe American presidents?
For the record, North Korea's foreign minister was speaking at the United Nations, which has also proven useless year after year. Action, or in this sad case inaction, still speaks louder than words. Hours before issuing its latest threat, Pyongyang punctuated its show of force by firing off another ballistic missile. And so the not-so-great game of bluff-and counter-bluff continues into the not-so-foreseeable future. How long before it takes the shape, deliberately or accidentally, of a mushroom-shaped cloud?
Editorial on 04/28/2016