General Discussion

MineralMan

(151,385 posts) Fri Mar 17, 2017, 09:57 AM Mar 2017

What might Trump do in North Korea? [View all]

One scenario I can imagine Trump considering is a massive bombing raid, using our entire fleet of B-52s, each carrying massive guided conventional bombs. I have little doubt that we have precisely detailed information about where all NK military assets are. Some are, no doubt, in deep underground bunkers, but not all.

This would be an attempt at a decapitation raid, with Kim Jung Un as a primary target. I suspect, though, that we don't know his exact location, since he's as paranoid a leader as you'll find anywhere. Well, almost, anyhow.

This type of preemptive attack would be just the sort of thing Trump would find attractive. I'm not sure what his military advisers would think of the plan, but that really doesn't matter all that much to Trump. He could order it and it would be carried out.

Let's hope that someone is able to convince him not to pull a stunt like that.

116 replies

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What might Trump do in North Korea? [View all] MineralMan Mar 2017 OP

Hope... Zoonart Mar 2017 #1

I can't imagine a scenario where a military coup MineralMan Mar 2017 #6

Yeah, unfortunately it is. Unless Tillerson is disappeared. Jonny Appleseed Mar 2017 #10

Yeah, something along those lines... Wounded Bear Mar 2017 #2

NK has 1.2 M troops and 7 M reserves - SK has 650K & the U.S. 30K exboyfil Mar 2017 #42

LOL. That's probably the same question French General Henri Navarre asked KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #51

Overlooking artillery has changed a lot of battles exboyfil Mar 2017 #59

OT, but what were Custer's last words? KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #63

I forgot them damn gatling guns... Historic NY Mar 2017 #74

"Where the fuck did all those Indians KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #111

they have artillery that can hit Seoul and d_r Mar 2017 #55

And NK has 5000 tons of nerve agents - including VX jpak Mar 2017 #97

Is it poor sportsmanship to root for the underdog DPRK in this KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #3

no because d_r Mar 2017 #57

Oh, the poor South Koreans. I have it from an impeccable source that KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #62

What source, pray tell? MineralMan Mar 2017 #89

She had to flee ROK after she received death thrats from members of KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #113

I'm "rooting" for nobody. MineralMan Mar 2017 #72

Same. I'm against needless wars that can be avoided. xor Mar 2017 #85

MOAB jpak Mar 2017 #4

I wonder how many of those we have ready. MineralMan Mar 2017 #7

It's been superceded by the MOP jpak Mar 2017 #13

Hmm...could be. MineralMan Mar 2017 #17

They were developed with NK and Iran in mind - 20 ordered jpak Mar 2017 #20

I'm sure that's the case. Mostly Iran, MineralMan Mar 2017 #23

20's not enough for what I'm thinking about. MineralMan Mar 2017 #24

They have 1 plutonium production reactor jpak Mar 2017 #69

To change the subject, he will nuke it, rather than be humiliated over his wiretapping lies Doodley Mar 2017 #5

No, I don't think so. MineralMan Mar 2017 #9

According to 45 maryellen99 Mar 2017 #28

I truly believe that would be the point where the military would MineralMan Mar 2017 #39

Let's hope nt maryellen99 Mar 2017 #41

You over-estimate the restraint of the Chiefs... Moostache Mar 2017 #65

Also the ? that has to be asked too is that how many are rapturists/end timers? maryellen99 Mar 2017 #66

My thought too! PearliePoo2 Mar 2017 #86

He also asked, repeatedly, during the campaign why we couldn't just do a first strike hatrack Mar 2017 #30

See my #39. I don't think MineralMan Mar 2017 #40

WWIII is a distinct possibility. (nt) Paladin Mar 2017 #8

Any action will likely escalate, hard to tell where it will end and the extent of involvement by RKP5637 Mar 2017 #78

I would expect all this has been war planned out. PearliePoo2 Mar 2017 #11

I suppose it probably has. MineralMan Mar 2017 #12

The best the U.S. could hope for True Dough Mar 2017 #18

But Trump Don't Care. MineralMan Mar 2017 #21

Also for the very real possibility that North Korea will take hostages dalton99a Mar 2017 #27

Now that scares the shit out of me... Heartstrings Mar 2017 #82

I believe you have good reason to be scared. I'm scared for all of us, everywhere. PearliePoo2 Mar 2017 #96

Good idea however... Heartstrings Mar 2017 #103

Today, Tillerson said: PearliePoo2 Mar 2017 #14

I expect he will negotiate a Trump Tower North Korea Johonny Mar 2017 #15

North Korea has a decent air defense system that covers most of the country dalton99a Mar 2017 #16

Yes. However, we have a lot of technology designed MineralMan Mar 2017 #19

It's virtually all 1960's Soviet era stuff - and completely obsolete. jpak Mar 2017 #31

They rely on barrages of missiles and AA gunfire and mobile radar units. dalton99a Mar 2017 #48

So was Saddam's jpak Mar 2017 #58

Saddam's inventory looked good on paper dalton99a Mar 2017 #68

MIG-17, 19, 21 and their Chinese copies are no match for F-16, 15, and 22. jpak Mar 2017 #70

True. But you don't need a fighter to down a B-52. dalton99a Mar 2017 #73

And B-52s would use cruise missiles and stand-off munitions to attack NK targets jpak Mar 2017 #81

B-52s are exceedingly hard to attack. MineralMan Mar 2017 #90

Its only takes one "exocet" type crusie missle to get through.... Historic NY Mar 2017 #79

The Kh-35 is a subsonic cruise missile - a US destroyer shot down 2 similar Chinese ASMs near Yemen jpak Mar 2017 #87

This is very dangerous sabre-rattling Golden Raisin Mar 2017 #22

Yes, it is. It's also a massive distraction, and that's something MineralMan Mar 2017 #29

Pre-emptive sneak attack? workinclasszero Mar 2017 #25

Yep. North Korea doesn't need nuclear weapons to inflict massive damage on Seoul dalton99a Mar 2017 #32

Thats right. Seoul can be reduced to rubble in hours workinclasszero Mar 2017 #38

And South Koreans will hate the U.S. for sacrificing their capital city. dalton99a Mar 2017 #50

No doubt. workinclasszero Mar 2017 #93

Yes, I understand that very well. However, we're beginning to MineralMan Mar 2017 #34

Oh he's going to need a massive distraction alright workinclasszero Mar 2017 #43

i have no 'hope' for trump spanone Mar 2017 #26

Yes. That's why it's a real danger. MineralMan Mar 2017 #45

Trump, could likely take action with no thought about the consequences to prove his missile is RKP5637 Mar 2017 #84

Doesn't he have time to go to congress for this? Why aren't legislators demanding it? nt wiggs Mar 2017 #33

Not really. Not anymore. MineralMan Mar 2017 #35

Not sure this is pre-emptive. Pre-emptive is legal, preventative is not (Iraq). wiggs Mar 2017 #36

Weirdly enough, given Trump and Tillerson's taunts, DPRK would be fully within KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #46

It is a more volatile situation than most people believe, MineralMan Mar 2017 #49

Your support for the DPRK is worrisome to me. MineralMan Mar 2017 #75

Under current international law, preemptive wars to stop an imminent attack KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #106

I'm not saying anything at all of that nature. MineralMan Mar 2017 #108

Is it "supporting" DPRK to note that she has the absolute right KingCharlemagne Mar 2017 #114

It is, yes. MineralMan Mar 2017 #115

Keeping a close eye...I have family traveling to Japan in two weeks. Might have wiggs Mar 2017 #37

North Korea could reak havoc on South Korea in minutes, beachbum bob Mar 2017 #44

Trump is unlikely to use nuclear weapons if he does such a thing. MineralMan Mar 2017 #47

30,000 US troops would face annihilation and their only defense are tactical field nukes beachbum bob Mar 2017 #53

Put nukes in So. Korea chelsea0011 Mar 2017 #52

I believe they flew some nuclear-armed B-52s into MineralMan Mar 2017 #54

Were they armed or just the planes? I never did see anything definitive one way or another. chelsea0011 Mar 2017 #56

I don't believe that information was made public. MineralMan Mar 2017 #61

One crazy trying to out crazy the other crazy California_Republic Mar 2017 #60

Exactly. Scary stuff. MineralMan Mar 2017 #64

There's also this as well maryellen99 Mar 2017 #67

Worth keeping in mind that Trump and the GOP love to punch down...not just wiggs Mar 2017 #71

That is true, and if Trump is looking around for a distraction, MineralMan Mar 2017 #76

I fear he will use nuclear weapons liberal N proud Mar 2017 #77

Fear is an appropriate reaction. MineralMan Mar 2017 #83

when prez putz starts to go down in flames, there is no telling what he Motley13 Mar 2017 #80

Trump will do whatever he thinks will keep him in MineralMan Mar 2017 #88

DUReccing this entire thread. longship Mar 2017 #91

Stimulating discussion is always my goal. MineralMan Mar 2017 #92

Well, IMHO, this is one of the better threads today. nt longship Mar 2017 #94

Thanks. I really appreciate that. MineralMan Mar 2017 #95

I hope that he can be convinced not to do this. Kimchijeon Mar 2017 #98

Yes. I'm sure we all hope that. MineralMan Mar 2017 #99

Seoul would be lost if that happens. bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #100

I think there is a very good chance of that, too. MineralMan Mar 2017 #102

I hope Trump knows that bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #107

Trump is a narcissist first, second and third. MineralMan Mar 2017 #109

The Missles Are Flying Bayard Mar 2017 #101

Regarding N. Korea, here are two VERY informative interviews with General Michael Hayden. PearliePoo2 Mar 2017 #104

Thanks very much for posting those two videos! MineralMan Mar 2017 #105

You're most welcome. Whenever General Hayden is interviewed, I sit up, tune in and pay attention. PearliePoo2 Mar 2017 #116

One or two more tweet, maybe. Meanwhile, China wants an apology, I imagine. L. Coyote Mar 2017 #110

I hope you are correct. I want to think you are correct. MineralMan Mar 2017 #112