NBC: U.S. prepared to launch preemptive strike on North Korea

Numerous news reports have been coming out over the past 36 hours that a preemptive strike against North Korea is imminent. NBC News reports the following:

The U.S. is prepared to launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons against North Korea should officials become convinced that North Korea is about to follow through with a nuclear weapons test, multiple senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News. North Korea has warned that a “big event” is near, and U.S. officials say signs point to a nuclear test that could come as early as this weekend.

The intelligence officials told NBC News that the U.S. has positioned two destroyers capable of shooting Tomahawk cruise missiles in the region, one just 300 miles from the North Korean nuclear test site.

American heavy bombers are also positioned in Guam to attack North Korea should it be necessary, and earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group was being diverted to the area.

On Saturday North Korea will hold celebrations for the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung and the Kim political dynasty. Reports from South Korean media state that North Korea has ordered 600,000 of its less desirable citizens to evacuate Pyongyang so that law-abiding citizens may take advantage of the bomb shelters which are available.

Despite threats from the United States Mr. Kim has stated that the nuclear test will go forward.

Several statements from Mr. Trump made over the last three days have also stoked fears that a preemptive attack by the United States is imminent. On Tuesday Mr. Trump tweeted:

North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.

On Wednesday Mr. Trump stated in a press conference:

North Korea - we'll take care of it folks; we're going to take care of it all.

Officials from the North Korean government are now weighing in on the threats. From the New York Daily News:

Vice Minister Han Song Ryol said Pyongyang has determined the Trump administration is "more vicious and more aggressive" than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

The official added that if the U.S. shows any sign of "reckless" military aggression, Pyongyang is ready to launch a pre-emptive strike of its own, and that North Korea will keep building up its nuclear arsenal in "quality and quantity" and said Pyongyang is ready to go to war if that's what Trump wants.

The United States military have also announced that should the nuclear test take place on Saturday April 15th that they are fully prepared to shoot down the missile. From The Diplomat:

The United States has hinted at an unprecedented shift in its policy toward North Korea by telling a key ally that it is ready to shoot down missiles test-fired by the Kim regime, according to Australian media reports.

Washington has briefed Australia on being “fully prepared” to intercept any ballistic missiles launched around North Korean founder Kim Il-sung’s birthday on April 15, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday, citing anonymous intelligence sources. Under third-generation leader Kim Jong-un, who took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011, Pyongyang has accelerated the testing of missiles and nuclear weapons in defiance of international sanctions. Following its fourth and fifth nuclear detonations within months of each other last year, the secretive country is anticipated to be on the verge of its sixth test.

The suggestion of a new strategy, while not independently confirmed, comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Pyongyang, which has threatened nuclear war following President Donald Trump’s decision over the weekend to send a U.S. carrier strike group to the waters off the Korean Peninsula.

Do you believe this is all bluster, or do you believe that war is about to break out? If so, what will be the consequences?

You would think China would take care of their neighbor.

a reply to: dovdov

I believe the evacuation claim was false as foreign reporters in Pyongyang stated it was moving people for the street parade?, I will stand corrected with verified link however..

Personally I think the odds are far higher of a strike with Trump in charge than anyone else but at this moment if it was political dick waving I would not be surprised but then if he launched a strike I also would not be surprised..

I will say would you send a fleet all that way for nothing??, maybe but then I think it all depends on the deal cut with China, they do not want the fall out landing on their door step but on another note NK is the pimple on the ass of Asia so I can see why China may want them gone esp lobbing practice nukes around with test after test..

My worry is that Little Kim goes ape # and hits every red button in the house from the toilet flush (I bet he has a red button toilet flush and imagines hitting the button for real whilst looking into his bathroom mirror and says a catchy line) to the one that detonates a massive blast under Seoul that no one detected as there was reports going back years of infiltration tunnels running from the north.. I would not put anything past the chubby twat..


I will also say does Trump seem like someone that f#cks around???, I think if he sees a option he will "go for it"....



RA

The U.S. is prepared to launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons against North Korea should officials become convinced that North Korea is about to follow through with a nuclear weapons test, multiple senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News. North Korea has warned that a “big event” is near, and U.S. officials say signs point to a nuclear test that could come as early as this weekend.

The US is already ready to do this.

However.

I don't believe they will.

There is too much fear mongering going on.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
You would think China would take care of their neighbor.

Or the country with the most nukes and has actually used them in warfare would just let other nations free to ramp up their defense arsenal....
I would Google how many Nuke tests the US has performed in the past decade, but there's no point. We're the ones writing history...

a reply to: slider1982

Yeah great idea attack a nation without any UN charter or international law on your side on a national day of celebration.I dont necessarily believe they even have a nuclear weapon in working order but they have plenty of biological and chemical weapons.I sincerely hope China gets them to the negotiating table

I will stand by the USA on this one.

Diplomacy has been tried countless times and North Korea given countless warnings.

It would not be so bad if they where devoping nukes for self defence, but they are not, they have repeatedly stated they will use there WMD's preemptively when they have ICBM.

If North Korea fall its through there own stupidity and aggression.

a reply to: crazyewok

So what happens to Tokyo, Seoul, Guam, and even parts of Australia? The devastation on Japan that Mr. Kim can cause will be earthshaking. A preemptive strike could also trigger WW3, and that is what many people are fearing. In fact, this has been the fear ever since Trump (barely) won the election. People are scared.

a reply to: dovdov

Report from China yesterday they had hundreds maybe even 1000 aircraft on the move I hope Trump sticks to whatever that agreement was because the Chinese have moved 175000 troops just in case they are double crossed.

a reply to: dovdov

WW3 wont start. China have pretty much disavowed North Korea.

As for Guam and Australia, i am pretty sure they are safe, north korean missle tec is poor at that range, but yes Seoul and Japan are at risk.
Problem is the longer the world waits to deal with North Korea the more destructive there WMD get and the longer range and more accurate there missles get.
There is no ideal option here, either hundreds of thousands die now or millions in the future.

a reply to: Bluntone22

Havent you seen the new commercials?

We're a GLOBAList force, for "good".

Our military has zero to with national defense and everything to do with expanding and patrolling our global empire.

Makes about as much sense as having the Russian and Chinese navies parked off our coasts because theyre worried about Mexico...

It could be a liberation of the North from Kim's dictatorship. It could be a catastrophe too, displaced refugee's massing at the borders to flee, the first chance they ever had to escape, and taxing China's aid and South Korea's ability to absorb the influx. Then there's those inside the country who will face bombings and missile attacks.

Just who will fill the vacuum if Kim is removed ? North Korea is formidable... in a sort of archaic way. Many of the soldiers might die of hunger and exposure if this becomes a reality, never having seen combat.

They are not Masada, they are not safe in seclusion, or in the rhetoric and hyperbole of sensational adjectives describing their 'Merciless' whatever Campaign.

a reply to: odzeandennz

Russia has the most nukes.

originally posted by: dovdov
Numerous news reports have been coming out over the past 36 hours that a preemptive strike against North Korea is imminent. NBC News reports the following:

The U.S. is prepared to launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons against North Korea should officials become convinced that North Korea is about to follow through with a nuclear weapons test, multiple senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News. North Korea has warned that a “big event” is near, and U.S. officials say signs point to a nuclear test that could come as early as this weekend.

The intelligence officials told NBC News that the U.S. has positioned two destroyers capable of shooting Tomahawk cruise missiles in the region, one just 300 miles from the North Korean nuclear test site.

American heavy bombers are also positioned in Guam to attack North Korea should it be necessary, and earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group was being diverted to the area.

On Saturday North Korea will hold celebrations for the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung and the Kim political dynasty. Reports from South Korean media state that North Korea has ordered 600,000 of its less desirable citizens to evacuate Pyongyang so that law-abiding citizens may take advantage of the bomb shelters which are available.

Despite threats from the United States Mr. Kim has stated that the nuclear test will go forward.

Several statements from Mr. Trump made over the last three days have also stoked fears that a preemptive attack by the United States is imminent. On Tuesday Mr. Trump tweeted:

North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.

On Wednesday Mr. Trump stated in a press conference:

North Korea - we'll take care of it folks; we're going to take care of it all.

Officials from the North Korean government are now weighing in on the threats. From the New York Daily News:

Vice Minister Han Song Ryol said Pyongyang has determined the Trump administration is "more vicious and more aggressive" than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

The official added that if the U.S. shows any sign of "reckless" military aggression, Pyongyang is ready to launch a pre-emptive strike of its own, and that North Korea will keep building up its nuclear arsenal in "quality and quantity" and said Pyongyang is ready to go to war if that's what Trump wants.

The United States military have also announced that should the nuclear test take place on Saturday April 15th that they are fully prepared to shoot down the missile. From The Diplomat:

The United States has hinted at an unprecedented shift in its policy toward North Korea by telling a key ally that it is ready to shoot down missiles test-fired by the Kim regime, according to Australian media reports.

Washington has briefed Australia on being “fully prepared” to intercept any ballistic missiles launched around North Korean founder Kim Il-sung’s birthday on April 15, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday, citing anonymous intelligence sources. Under third-generation leader Kim Jong-un, who took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011, Pyongyang has accelerated the testing of missiles and nuclear weapons in defiance of international sanctions. Following its fourth and fifth nuclear detonations within months of each other last year, the secretive country is anticipated to be on the verge of its sixth test.

The suggestion of a new strategy, while not independently confirmed, comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Pyongyang, which has threatened nuclear war following President Donald Trump’s decision over the weekend to send a U.S. carrier strike group to the waters off the Korean Peninsula.

Do you believe this is all bluster, or do you believe that war is about to break out? If so, what will be the consequences?

With Lil' Kim focused on the US carrier group, it would be a good time for a few generals to clip the murderous little tyrant in a coup. I'd guess that China has already made the deal to recognize whomever comes out alive as a legitimate successor. If the US does attack, it won't come from where he is looking.

a reply to: Plotus

You are dealing with people that have been brainwashed from birth that Americans are cannibals and to love fearless leader I dont think the quick military fix is going to work- China getting this clown to the negotiating table is still the best option.

a reply to: khnum


Exactly right.
The current generation of North Koreans will have a hard time trusting Americans.

a reply to: dovdov

No attack on NoKo will happen without SoKo's approval. Look to Seoul for updates.

a reply to: crazyewok


Warnings against what exactly?
NK is not part of any IAEA treaties, or UN treaties.

What have they actually done against the US?

originally posted by: odzeandennz

originally posted by: Bluntone22
You would think China would take care of their neighbor.

Or the country with the most nukes and has actually used them in warfare would just let other nations free to ramp up their defense arsenal....
I would Google how many Nuke tests the US has performed in the past decade, but there's no point. We're the ones writing history...

Our allies in the region are crapping their pants over North Korea, I guess we should just let them deal with it on their own? Maybe we should wait until Seoul or Tokyo is nuked, and hundreds of thousands are killed, would you then be OK with the US taking action against NK? Our allies are on our side, and as long as China is on board, we should do what we can to keep nukes out of North Korea, or eventually Lil Kim will use them.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: khnum


Exactly right.
The current generation of North Koreans will have a hard time trusting Americans.

I think the first lot of food handed out will solve that problem.


That is the problem with keeping your population near starvation, a good meal will likely turn them