I think the problem is not the possible Korean response to our or Japan’s destroying their missile on the pad: the problem is that our security institutions are trying to figure out how to contain – or how to appear to be containing – the Sino-Russian offensive throughout the world, of which North Korean aggression is just one manifestation. When states which ought to be concern first and foremost about their own survival, irrespective of foreign enemies, are provoking crises with the well-established powers of the Anglosphere and their reluctant allies, it is obvious that something deeper and as yet unspoken is occurring that deeply disturbs the establishment. Just todat The Times reports that British intelligence chiefs believe China probably has the power to cripple Britain via cyber attack. It seems likely to me – a nobody – that China and Russia hold hostage enough of the map that it would be within their power to cause multiple simultaneous crises which the USA and Britain, among others, would badly damage themselves in trying to contain or resolve. This is only one of the reasons I believe Russia and China combined or alone ultimately are responsible for 9/11 and the ridiculous result pitting the postmodern, post-Cold War world against the barbarians of the Hindu Kush. It is absolutely absurd.
First, we were softened up politically (BDS). Next, we have been dragged into the center of the South Asian maelstrom. Finally, we have prevailed in Iraq, but at such a cost that we have a Leninist – who may not even know he’s a Leninist – in the Oval Office, an asset of immeasurable strategic (or at least tactical) importance for the Russo-Chinese offensive to achieve its major international restructuring without firing any (or many) shots. It wil be interesting what, if anything, comes out of their current offensive on the reserve currency.
Anyway, it probably is, unfortunately, the best policy not to shoot down the Korean missile *unless* we can be absolutely *certain* that we can shoot it down – preferrably over international waters. Gates is right: with O in office, we realy are not in a position to respond – and then follow up. On the up side, it is also interesting that France is formally re-joining NATO. Gee, I wonder why that is?
