North Korea (L) and U.S. flags © Reuters
Paul B. Stares, The Hill: Secret talks can cool tensions between US and North Korea
The confrontation with North Korea is accelerating toward a potentially catastrophic climax. Neither side in its right mind wants to start a nuclear war, but this is where we are headed if both Washington and Pyongyang do not appreciate how the growing momentum of the crisis could soon exceed their grasp. Immediate steps need to be taken to de-escalate tensions and lessen the risk of miscalculation and inadvertent conflict.
North Korea’s headlong pursuit of nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles clearly triggered the current crisis, but President Trump’s bellicose threats at the United Nations along with his personal attacks on its leader, Kim Jong Un, have propelled the confrontation to dangerous new levels. This is now as much an individual contest of wills as an international one.
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WNU Editor: The problem is that North Korea has been consistently clear that they are not interested in having talks .... State Dept: North Korea has shown no interest in talks on nuclear threat (The Hill).
Update: Trump tells top U.S. diplomat: Don't waste time talking to North Korea (Reuters).
