U.S. Prepared to Shoot Down N. Korean Missile

[french civ fan]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,501685,00.html


Thoughts on this?

The U.S. military is prepared to shoot down a North Korean missile or rocket if President Obama should give the order, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command said Thursday.

"If a missile leaves the launch pad we'll be prepared to respond upon direction of the president," Adm. Timothy Keating told ABC News.

North Korea announced earlier this week that it was preparing to shoot a communication satellite into orbit as part of it space program. The U.S., South Korea and other neighboring countries believe the launch may be a cover for a missile test-fire, saying the action would trigger international sanctions.

"There's equipment moving up there that would indicate the preliminary stages of preparation for a launch," Keating said. "So I'd say it's more than less likely."

North Korea lashed out at critics warning it not to test a long-range missile on Thursday, saying that it would punish those trying to disrupt its plan to send what it calls a satellite into orbit.

Keating said the U.S. military is ready to respond to the missile launch with at least five different systems: a naval destroyer, Aegis cruiser, radar system, space-based system and ground-based interceptor, ABC News reported.

"Should it look like it's not a satellite launch — that it's something other than a satellite launch — we'll be ready to respond."

The latest harsh words from Pyongyang came as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced plans to send her new envoy on North Korea to meet with negotiators in Asia trying to revive stalled nuclear disarmament talks.

Clinton later spoke by telephone with her South Korean counterpart, Yu Myung-hwan, to discuss the North's missile issue and informed him of her envoy's trip to Seoul, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said without elaborating.

On Thursday, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of (North) Korea accused South Korea of "trumpeting about 'sanctions"' against its satellite launch, saying outsiders will know "what will soar in the air in the days ahead."

"If the puppet warmongers infringe upon our inviolable dignity even a bit ... we will not only punish the provokers but reduce their stronghold to debris," the committee said in a statement carried by the country's official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim Myong Gil, minister to the North's U.N. mission in New York, said in Atlanta where he was attending an academic forum that his country would implement the satellite launch "as scheduled." Asked about the timing, he told reporters Thursday they'll have to wait and see, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

Kim said North Korea bears the right to launch a satellite into space, and that the North's space program is not up for any negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang. He also said the country is facing dire energy shortages and must develop nuclear power as a source of energy, the report said.

Analysts say the North's planned launch is seen as a bid for President Barack Obama's attention as international talks on its nuclear programs remained stalled for months and tensions with South Korea are at their highest level in a decade.

The launch of the Taepodong-2 will most likely take place around the first week in March, around the time of elections for the North's rubber-stamp parliament, said Rodger Baker, director of East Asia analysis at the global intelligence company STRATFOR.

The long-range Taepodong-2 missile is believed capable of reaching Alaska. Some experts think the North is preparing to test an advanced version that could reach the western continental U.S.

Baker said North Korea's missile capability is "fairly sophisticated" given the country's isolation and lack of access to technology.

"They are really good with short-range and anti-ship missiles, mostly those they've modified from Soviet and Chinese missiles," Baker told The Associated Press.

Clinton announced Thursday that envoy Stephen Bosworth would soon travel to the capitals of the four countries that have been working with Washington to get North Korea to give up its nuclear program — Russia, Japan, China and South Korea.

Bosworth, a former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, was named last week as the Obama administration's special representative for North Korea.

Asian and U.S. officials are looking at the best way "to deter this launch," said Christopher Hill, the top U.S diplomat for Asia. He dismissed North Korea's claims that it was preparing to conduct a satellite launch.

"It looks an awful lot like a missile launch, and the reason it looks a lot like a missile launch is because it essentially is a missile launch, whatever the payload," Hill told reporters in Washington. Considering the North's "opaqueness," coupled with its claims that it has weaponized plutonium, he said, "you can see why we have some very deep concerns about the missile launch."

South Korea's Dong-a Ilbo newspaper reported Thursday that North Korea has built an underground fueling facility near its launch pad, making it harder for spy satellites to detect signs that a missile is being prepared for launch.

[Winner]

Missile defence is EVIL, it is being contructed against Russia! Didn't you know?

[RedRalphWiggum]

That would be a really bad idea, unless its absolutely essential

[Yeekim]

Originally Posted by RedRalphWiggum

That would be a really bad idea, unless its absolutely essential

Why?
10chars

[RedRalphWiggum]

Originally Posted by Yeekim

Why?
10chars

Because North Korea is entitled to test missiles as any other country is. This would be a pointless act of war, totally unneccesary and provocative. It's also not going to happen, because the US knows that.

[Winner]

Originally Posted by RedRalphWiggum

Because North Korea is entitled to test missiles as any other country is. This would be a pointless act of war, totally unneccesary and provocative. It's also not going to happen, because the US knows that.

Act of war? Oh, be my guest - what could they possibly do about that? In any case, it would happen only if the "satellite launch" was in fact an undeclared ICBM test.

People should really stop treating North Korea like it was some sort of great power or something. The regime there desperately wants to be recognized, so giving them respect is in fact counter-productive. They should be treated like a rogue state they are - no talks, no deals and a decisive reaction to any aggressive move, including limited use of force against them.

[RedRalphWiggum]

Act of war? Oh, be my guest - what could they possibly do about that? In any case, it would happen only if the "satellite launch" was in fact an undeclared ICBM test.

Which North Korea is entitled to do if it wants. you may think an unjust, illegal and unprovoked attack on a country with a huge military, which, whether you like it or not, could destroy Seoul (even MobBoss can admit they can do serious damage, you have nothing to supporty your opinion other than what you wish was reality) led by a madman on a hair trigger is a good idea; thankfully people who actually make these decisions will know its not.

People should really stop treating North Korea like it was some sort of great power or something. The regime there desperately wants to be recognized, so giving them respect is in fact counter-productive. They should be treated like a rogue state they are - no talks, no deals and a decisive reaction to any aggressive move, including limited use of force against them.

limited use... and I'm sure they'd just put up with it and do nothing. you really dont know what you are talking about some times.

[fugazi]

I agree with Winner. Show some muscles and kick the dog back into its corner.

[RedRalphWiggum]

Originally Posted by fugazi

I agree with Winner. Show some muscles and kick the dog back into its corner.

And lose Seoul? Not worth it. US foreign policy is not entirely driven by testosterone, thankfully.

[Winner]

Originally Posted by RedRalphWiggum

Which North Korea is entitled to do if it wants. you may think an unjust, illegal and unprovoked attack on a country with a huge military, which, whether you like it or not, could destroy Seoul (even MobBoss can admit they can do serious damage, you have nothing to supporty your opinion other than what you wish was reality) led by a madman on a hair trigger is a good idea; thankfully people who actually make these decisions will know its not.

And you're acting like a typical Western appeaser scared to death of a guy holding a water pistol in his hand.

North Korean regime would not start a war, even if the Americans shot 100 of their missiles down. They know they'd lose the war and therefore lose the power. It's simply not going to happen.

There were much more serious incidents in the past between NK and ROK forces, none of which led to war. You're once again blowing things out of proportion.

limited use... and I'm sure they'd just put up with it and do nothing. you really dont know what you are talking about some times.

And 3 rolleyes smileys are not going to make your "argument" any better, see?

NK is doing blackmail diplomacy - simply put, they do some gesture (test a nuclear device, launch some missile etc.) and watch how the US+allies react. Then the farce called "diplomatic talks" follows and it ends with NK being given more food, oil and other stuff the regime needs to stay in power.

What I am saying is: "You commies can go to hell." I'd not give them anything. They can test whatever they want, whenever they want, I don't give a damn. If they launch a missile OVER SOMEBODY ELSES TERRITORY (like that missile test over Japan years ago), such a country has every right to shoot the missile down as a possible threat (or ask the US to do it).

And Kim Chong-il or whoever is in charge there now can fume about this as much as he wants, because that all he can do about it.

Originally Posted by RedRalphWiggum

And lose Seoul? Not worth it. US foreign policy is not entirely driven by testosterone, thankfully.

Not going to happen, get a grip.

[holy king]

Originally Posted by RedRalphWiggum

US foreign policy is not entirely driven by testosterone, thankfully.

it plays an important part though. hell yeah.

[shakeythedrunk]

It will blow up 30 seconds after launch...Again.

[RedRalphWiggum]

And you're acting like a typical Western appeaser scared to death of a guy holding a water pistol in his hand.

Again, you can privately believe if you choose to that DPRK has no seriously military ability if you want, but dont try and confuse it with reality. no one who knows anything about their military dismisses it, no one at all, once again you get 'what you wish was true' mixed up with 'whats actually true'.

North Korean regime would not start a war, even if the Americans shot 100 of their missiles down. They know they'd lose the war and therefore lose the power. It's simply not going to happen.

Patroklos is also of the opinion no one will fight a war they dont think they will win, however, the Vietnamese fought agains thte Americans in the 60s, the Argies fought agains thte English in the 80s, the Iraqis fought the Americans in the 90s and 00s, etc etc etc. Nations have this habit of responding to attacks even when they know they will probably lose. history is on my side in this one; its been shown to be true hundreds of times. whereas once again, you are getting your fantasies confused with reality.

There were much more serious incidents in the past between NK and ROK forces, none of which led to war. You're once again blowing things out of proportion.

Care to list a few that were more serious than a US airstrike against North Korean military property?

NK is doing blackmail diplomacy - simply put, they do some gesture (test a nuclear device, launch some missile etc.) and watch how the US+allies react. Then the farce called "diplomatic talks" follows and it ends with NK being given more food, oil and other stuff the regime needs to stay in power.

Yes, whats your point? Everyone knows that.

What I am saying is: "You commies can go to hell." I'd not give them anything. They can test whatever they want, whenever they want, I don't give a damn.

Well, no offence, but what some boy in brno cares about or dosent care about is completely irrelevant. Fact is, the US, ROK and Japanese are very eager indeed to not see a war in Korea. and they really matter a lot more than you.

If they launch a missile OVER SOMEBODY ELSES TERRITORY (like that missile test over Japan years ago), such a country has every right to shoot the missile down as a possible threat (or ask the US to do it).

Who says it will be over someone else territory?

And Kim Chong-il or whoever is in charge there now can fume about this as much as he wants, because that all he can do about it.

No it isnt, as practically anyone who knows anything about the situation agrees, even Mobboss. Whether he does do anything is one thing, what he can do is another.

Not going to happen, get a grip.

What are you basing that one? you know more than ROK, US and Japan do you? Can I get a Patroklos?

[Bast]

RRW, get a grip. You get absolutely hysterical in these type of threads.

[holy king]

Originally Posted by Bast

RRW, get a grip. You get absolutely hysterical in these type of threads.

this is certainly going to calm him down.

[Winner]

Originally Posted by RedRalphWiggum

Again, you can privately believe if you choose to that DPRK has no seriously military ability if you want, but dont try and confuse it with reality. no one who knows anything about their military dismisses it, no one at all, once again you get 'what you wish was true' mixed up with 'whats actually true'.

Actually, everybody who knows something about NK military is laughing at it. Its military is pathetic in almost every respect, utterly incapable of waging a war against anybody but its own people.

The only thing they have that could be a threat are terror weapons - ballistic missiles and artillery aimed at Seoul. And this "threat" is in my opinion a bit overrated. In any case, it's the only thing they have, if they used it, they're done, finished, dead because the US/ROK forces would beat the crap out of them.

Which is why they WON'T use it.

Patroklos is also of the opinion no one will fight a war they dont think they will win,

And he's right.

however, the Vietnamese fought agains thte Americans in the 60s,

Because they actually had a good chance to win.

the Argies fought agains thte English in the 80s,

Because they really believed that the Brits would not be able to respond - and they were right. If they had postponed it for few months, Britain would have not had the ships needed for the counterattack.

the Iraqis fought the Americans in the 90s and 00s,

And look how it worked out for them.

The interesting thing on this case is, that Iraqi capabilities were utterly overestimated both times the West went to war with this country.

Yet you believe that NK is not being overestimated at all. We're talking about a country which is faking just about everything, for Gods sake. I don't believe for one moment that the estimates of their military strength are accurate.

etc etc etc. Nations have this habit of responding to attacks even when they know they will probably lose.

Was Vietnam, Argentine or Iraq attacked, or did they attack first?

Anyway, it's not true. Israel bombed Iraqi reactor - no response. Israel bombed Syrian nuclear facility recently - no response. Americans bombed Saddam's Iraq repeatedly in the 90s (after the first war) - no response, no suicidal counter-attack.

North Korea would not start a suicide war over one missile downed by the Americans, not in a million years.

history is on my side in this one;

History has actually proved you wrong, totally and utterly.

its been shown to be true hundreds of times.

One word:

whereas once again, you are getting your fantasies confused with reality.

Two words:

Care to list a few that were more serious than a US airstrike against North Korean military property?

Here you go. Or you can try this.

Yes, whats your point? Everyone knows that.

Yet everybody is taking part in this farce, for some idiotic reason.

Well, no offence, but what some boy in brno cares about or dosent care about is completely irrelevant. Fact is, the US, ROK and Japanese are very eager indeed to not see a war in Korea. and they really matter a lot more than you.

Oh please, I am saying what I would do, that's all.

South Korea is more afraid of having to take care of liberated North Korea than of the war itself. The Americans are simply too busy elsewhere and Japan is too pacifist.

So, the point is that that North Korea survives only because politicans in the West/ROK like the status quo, when they don't have to care about 20+ million North Koreans. It has nothing to do with NKs military threat, which is negligible.

Who says it will be over someone else territory?

The map

Spoiler:

No it isnt, as practically anyone who knows anything about the situation agrees, even Mobboss. Whether he does do anything is one thing, what he can do is another.

He can do nothing. He could order some artillery/missile strike against South Korea or Japan, and as a result he would be destroyed. Which is why he CAN'T do that. Pretty simple logic unless you want to quibble.

What are you basing that one? you know more than ROK, US and Japan do you? Can I get a Patroklos?

Oh Christ, start using your brain and stop referring to some non-existing majority of people standing behind you, especially not Patroklos or Mobboss who are going to laugh at your fantasies in a much more insensitive way than I do

[Yeekim]

Originally Posted by Winner

North Korea would not start a suicide war over one missile downed by the Americans, not in a million years.

I think this sums it up nicely enough.

[Camikaze]

Originally Posted by french civ fan

The U.S. military is prepared to shoot down a North Korean missile or rocket if President Obama should give the order, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command said Thursday.

So basically what he is saying is that he would follow Obama's orders? I would've expected so. I'm sure they would shoot down a Chinese, Russian or even a Timorese missile if Obama gave the order- it's their job.

[RedRalphWiggum]

Actually, everybody who knows something about NK military is laughing at it. Its military is pathetic in almost every respect, utterly incapable of waging a war against anybody but its own people.

Hang on, I'll prove you wrong
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/bioter/se...erability.html
http://www.rense.com/general37/nkorr.htm

Heres a good one, from the US Dept Defence

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/news....aspx?id=27769
North Korean Military 'Very Credible Conventional Force'
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

Spoiler:

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 18, 2003 – With 1.2 million people under arms, the North Korean military is "a very credible conventional force," the U.S. general in charge of defending against that force said.
"They have the largest submarine force, the largest special operating force and the largest artillery in the world," Army Gen. Leon LaPorte, commander of U.S. forces in South Korea said. He noted that North Korea has 120,000 special operations forces.

LaPorte briefed reporters traveling through the region with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Nov. 17. He answered questions on the future of U.S. forces in Korea and capabilities of the South Korean military, as well as the threat posed by North Korea.

LaPorte said the North Korean army is more of a threat than the navy and air force, because they have limited access to modern technology.

The sheer size of their military makes them a threat, even if their equipment isn't as up to date as it could be. "Much of their equipment is aged, but they have a lot of it," LaPorte said.

Perhaps more importantly, North Korea poses a significant asymmetric threat. The country possesses chemical weapons, and "their doctrine is to use chemical weapons as a standard munition," LaPorte said.

American officials are also concerned about North Korea's weapons of mass destruction, including potential use of its 800 missiles of various ranges. "The missiles themselves are a significant asymmetrical threat," LaPorte said. "But if that was combined with a nuclear capability, now you have a capability that not only threatens the peninsula but threatens the entire region."

In October 2002 North Korea said it had violated a 1994 framework agreement with the United States not to proceed with its uranium-enrichment program. And in early 2003 North Korea announced reactivation of its plutonium production program.

The other major threat North Korea poses is through proliferation. "North Korea is a known proliferator of military technology," including missile technology, LaPorte said.

LaPorte said officials are concerned that North Korea could provide weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons or nuclear material, to terrorist organizations.

"We believe that nothing would prevent them from selling weapons-grade nuclear material to other countries, rogue nations or terrorist nations," he said.

but yet again, I'm sure you know better.

The only thing they have that could be a threat are terror weapons - ballistic missiles and artillery aimed at Seoul. And this "threat" is in my opinion a bit overrated. In any case, it's the only thing they have, if they used it, they're done, finished, dead because the US/ROK forces would beat the crap out of them.

Which is why they WON'T use it.

But, you see, your opinion is utterly, totally and absolutely worthless. Because its based on nothing. Its of as much value as a dog's. US army generals, South Koreas govt, Japans govt, on the other hand, their opinions actually carry some weight. but you know better, I'm sure.

Because they actually had a good chance to win.

No, it was little more than a mircale that they did. Alomost no one would have believed that they could have pulled it off.

Because they really believed that the Brits would not be able to respond - and they were right. If they had postponed it for few months, Britain would have not had the ships needed for the counterattack.

Yet they didnt wait for a few months, and when the brits sent the RN, they stood and fought, they didnt retreat. so it provews my point and shows you cant even follow your own arguements.

And look how it worked out for them.

Compltely irrelevant. apart form the fact it proves my point. they still fought. Thanks.

The interesting thing on this case is, that Iraqi capabilities were utterly overestimated both times the West went to war with this country.

Not so much interesting as irrelevant. the Iraqis knew their own capabilities and still fought. thanks.

Yet you believe that NK is not being overestimated at all. We're talking about a country which is faking just about everything, for Gods sake. I don't believe for one moment that the estimates of their military strength are accurate.

Again, your opinion is compltely worthless, especially when it contradicts the opinions of people who spend their lives being paid to assess this threat. Cant you see how little it matters what you think? Its just not important. My views are based on credible assessments by ROK, Japan, and US. yours are based on nothing.

Was Vietnam, Argentine or Iraq attacked, or did they attack first?

Irrelevant, again.

Anyway, it's not true. Israel bombed Iraqi reactor - no response. Israel bombed Syrian nuclear facility recently - no response. Americans bombed Saddam's Iraq repeatedly in the 90s (after the first war) - no response, no suicidal counter-attack.

I never said everyone alwatys responds to every attack - I said people often do even when the situaiton seems hopeless. Except maybe the Czechs in 1938.

North Korea would not start a suicide war over one missile downed by the Americans, not in a million years.

What are you basing that on? Again, your fantasies and nothing more.

History has actually proved you wrong, totally and utterly.

Good comeback. Too late though, I've shown examples of how it has proved me right.

Here you go.

the majority of those examples actually show US and ROK forces backing down over DPRK aggression!!!

South Korea is more afraid of having to take care of liberated North Korea than of the war itself. The Americans are simply too busy elsewhere and Japan is too pacifist.

Yeah, agreed. Thanks for backing me up.

So, the point is that that North Korea survives only because politicans in the West/ROK like the status quo, when they don't have to care about 20+ million North Koreans. It has nothing to do with NKs military threat, which is negligible.

not what the US Dept Defence thinks, but you know better, I suppose.

He can do nothing. He could order some artillery/missile strike against South Korea or Japan, and as a result he would be destroyed. Which is why he CAN'T do that. Pretty simple logic unless you want to quibble.

No, not simple logic. He could destroy Seoul, and has shown himself repeatedly not to be rational. So you are applying logic to a man who more than likely has little if any grip on reality.

Oh Christ, start using your brain and stop referring to some non-existing majority of people standing behind you, especially not Patroklos or Mobboss who are going to laugh at your fantasies in a much more insensitive way than I do

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=311278



thanks for playing, enjoy your weekend.

[shakeythedrunk]

"U.S. Prepared to Shoot Down N. Korean Missile"
Better act quick!
It's "flight" is about 30 seconds.