This is my answer to this Q on Quora.
The Military Options may exist on paper but it is fair more likely that they will continue to remain in their role as feasible deterrents rather than positive actions.
Kim Jong Un is not a stupid man. He knows that any conflict with the U.S.A will result in the destruction of his fragile economy. Troops need to eat and they need fuel. Neither will be available once a conflict with the U.S begins.
However, Kim Jong Un has decided to take a shortcut to the membership of the World’s SuperStates and in doing so has to ensure that at some point he sits down with President Trump.
There are over 26 million North Koreans and each one has the potential to buy a product or a service from the U.S.
America’s’ Military has never failed in their duty to the U.S and the World but it is America’s Economy that has made America great. President Trump is well aware that Peace has a Profit and War only a loss.
China has continued to ensure that it sits on the fence – as usual. Nikki Haley the American Ambassador the U.N has been right to remind all the members of the Security Council of their legal and moral responsibility in regard to North Korea. China would never get involved in a conflict with the U.S. They know President Trump would stop all exports to the U.S. They have too much to lose. However, that does not mean that they would not use a display of force should it be required.
What is needed now is for President Trump to publicly show that America is ready to engage North Korea in talks which is no doubt happening with the recent reporting of ‘diplomatic speak’.
Nobody will win in any war with North Korea. The North Koreans will fight to the death. The Pacific region needs stability and it is up to China to broker the talks between North Korea and the United States.
Kim Jong Un is on a deadline. He will not be able to use the nuclear big stick for ever – his economy is unable to support such a large military expenditure. His population needs feeding and though they are loyal they will want more than military parades and anti-America rhetoric to satisfy their growing thirst for knowledge and world involvement.
Whoever sits down with Kim Jong Un will be able to ensure the massive expansion of the North Korean Economy, which will follow any negotiated agreement, is of benefit to both sides of the negotiating table
President Trump has to ensure it will be America who benefit and not Russia or China. It could also be President Trump’s worst nightmare – Iran, who engages with North Korea in negotiations to halt his nuclear weapons expansion.
In an ideal World the U.S. Russia and China would all be involved in talks with North Korea. However, as Aleppo, Syria and Climate Change have illustrated our World Leaders are not the brightest kids on the block.
