Reuters/KCNA
Uri Friedman, The Atlantic: North Korea: The Military Options
What would a strike actually entail?
The Trump administration claims “all options are on the table” for dealing with North Korea’s nuclear-weapons program—from using military force, to pressuring China to cut off economic relations with North Korea, to Donald Trump negotiating directly with Kim Jong Un. But what do those options look like? And what consequences could they have? This series explores those questions, option by option.
Trump’s Reddish Line
Millions of lives may depend on what Donald Trump means by the word “it.”
At some point, the American president recently told CBS’s John Dickerson, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will develop “a better [missile] delivery system” for its small but growing stockpile of nuclear weapons. “And if that happens,” Trump vowed, “we can’t allow it to happen.”
Behind the seemingly contradictory statement was a hazy hint of what might prompt the world’s mightiest military to use force against an emerging nuclear power, potentially drawing China, Japan, and South Korea into one of the most volatile conflicts in living memory.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 17, 2017
U.S. nuclear scientist: N. Korea has 'ample technical reason' to conduct sixth nuclear test -- Yonhap News Agency
South Korea: N. Korea ballistic missile program evolving faster than expected -- The Hill
Report: North Korea scientists exempt from military conscription -- UPI
USPACOM Chief: North Korea’s Latest Missile Test ‘A Recipe For Disaster’ -- Sputnik
North Korea poses threat to China, Russia: US admiral -- Channel News Asia/AFP
US Intelligence Takes Increased North Korean Saber-Rattling Seriously -- VOA
Russia to display weapons used in Syria at arms show in Peru -- TASS
Make in India defense programs worth $30B at an impasse over Strategic Partners policy -- Defense News
Military Buildup: China Installs Anti-Frogman Guns in South China Sea -- Sputnik
The German military and its troubled traditions -- DW
Macron appoints new French defense minister, reassigning former chief -- Defense News
For Marine Corps Force in Norway, 'Russia' Is a Four-Letter Word -- Military.com
U.S. Air Force Sends Robotic F-16s Into Mock Combat -- War Is Boring
Navy to Expand Integration of a New Ship-Defense Technology Able to Destroy Attacking Cruise Missiles -- Scout Warrior
Amphib's skipper, XO fired after 'engineering incident' -- Navy Times
UC San Diego Lab Developing Robots For Use by Military and Daily Life -- NBC News
SOFIC: Where the military buys its cool gear -- FOX News
U.S. Special Operators and Marines Want A New Long-Range Machine Gun -- The Drive
The Army Just Announced 2 Big Uniform Changes -- Task & Purpose
These Are The Troops Most Affected By The Military’s Worsening Sleep Problem -- Task & Purpose
Thousands of U.S. troops suffering from trauma were separated from the military for misconduct, report finds -- Washington Post
GAO: Thousands discharged for military misconduct had mental health diagnosis -- The Hill
'Performance enhancing drugs' considered for Special Operations soldiers -- Defense News
Pentagon Space Programs Continue to Suffer Long Delays, Huge Cost Overruns -- Sputnik
The Graying of a Fleet: 'Tired Iron' Needs Total Force Boost -- Military.com
DARPA Wants Artificial Intelligence That Doesn’t Forget Everything It Knows -- Defense One
Hackers Offer ‘Data Dump of the Month’ With Nuclear Secrets, Attack Tools -- Sputnik
So You Think the Army Can Avoid Fighting in Megacities -- John Amble & John Spencer, RCD