U.S. Navy strike group to move toward Korean peninsula - U.S. official

[rooster59]

U.S. Navy strike group to move toward Korean peninsula - U.S. official

By Idrees Ali

 

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean January 30, 2017. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tom Tonthat/Handout via Reuters /File photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy strike group will be moving toward the western Pacific Ocean near the Korean peninsula as a show of force, a U.S. official told Reuters on Saturday, as concerns grow about North Korea's advancing weapons program.

 

Earlier this month North Korea tested a liquid-fueled Scud missile which only traveled a fraction of its range.

 

The strike group, called Carl Vinson, includes an aircraft carrier and will make its way from Singapore toward the Korean peninsula, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak to the media and requested anonymity.

 

"We feel the increased presence is necessary," the official said, citing North Korea's worrisome behavior.

 

The news was first reported by Reuters.

 

In a statement late Saturday, the U.S. Navy's Third Fleet said the strike group had been directed to sail north, but it did not specify the destination. The military vessels will operate in the Western Pacific rather than making previously planned port visits to Australia, it added.

 

This year North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong Un, have repeatedly indicated an intercontinental ballistic missile test or something similar could be coming, possibly as soon as April 15, the 105th birthday of North Korea's founding president and celebrated annually as "the Day of the Sun."

 

Earlier this week U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Florida, where Trump pressed his counterpart to do more to curb North Korea's nuclear program.

 

Trump's national security aides have completed a review of U.S. options to try to curb North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. These include economic and military measures but lean more toward sanctions and increased pressure on Beijing to rein in its reclusive neighbor.

 

Although the option of pre-emptive military strikes on North Korea is not off the table, the review prioritizes less-risky steps and de-emphasizes direct military action.

 

Trump spoke with South Korea's acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday, the White House said on Saturday in a statement which did not mention the strike group.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-09

 

[darksidedog]

The Americans have clearly showed with the missile strikes in Syria, that they knew where the planes were launched from, so it is fair to assume they also know where North Korea has it missile test facilities. The Chinese undoubtedly also know.

But there in lies the rub. This isn't the Middle East. The US will do absolutely nothing without China approving first and that is very unlikely.

So, the Naval strike group is exactly how it is described, a show of force and nothing more.

Shame really, as North Korea is an inhuman regime, run by a total and extremely dangerous despot.

The world will be a significantly safer place once the country stops its isolationist and aggressive stance.

[baboon]

6 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

The Americans have clearly showed with the missile strikes in Syria, that they knew where the planes were launched from, so it is fair to assume they also know where North Korea has it missile test facilities. The Chinese undoubtedly also know.

But there in lies the rub. This isn't the Middle East. The US will do absolutely nothing without China approving first and that is very unlikely.

So, the Naval strike group is exactly how it is described, a show of force and nothing more.

Shame really, as North Korea is an inhuman regime, run by a total and extremely dangerous despot.

The world will be a significantly safer place once the country stops its isolationist and aggressive stance.

How? You just mentioned they are isolationist. The only aggression they show is towards those who won't let them be.

[darksidedog]

Just now, baboon said:

How? You just mentioned they are isolationist. The only aggression they show is towards those who won't let them be.

But that sadly includes thousands of their own citizens who are continuously arrested and killed. They might disagree with your comment.

Kim Jong Un has made no secret of the fact that he would like nuclear delivery options for places like America.

This is not a stable minded man. He is extremely dangerous, even murdering members of his own family.

Or are you suggesting everyone should just let him get on with his crazed policies and aggression, and ignore the suffering of his people?

 

[Dexlowe]

7 minutes ago, baboon said:

How? You just mentioned they are isolationist. The only aggression they show is towards those who won't let them be.

Ahhh, a benign state, poked and prodded so viciously that it has to react by kidnapping citizens of other countries, committing acts of terrorism in other countries, violating other countries' sovereignty and laws by killing its own citizens in those countries. Despite his haircut, Kim is really just a little cutey.

[Ijustcashier]

How? You just mentioned they are isolationist. The only aggression they show is towards those who won't let them be.

I don't think anybody is stopping them.

[baboon]

3 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

But that sadly includes thousands of their own citizens who are continuously arrested and killed. They might disagree with your comment.

Kim Jong Un has made no secret of the fact that he would like nuclear delivery options for places like America.

This is not a stable minded man. He is extremely dangerous, even murdering members of his own family.

Or are you suggesting everyone should just let him get on with his crazed policies and aggression, and ignore the suffering of his people?

 

Bombing the crap out of a country and destroying its infrastructure tends to cause just a tiny bit of suffering in itself. Liberation through death is not the answer.

[baboon]

5 minutes ago, Dexlowe said:

Ahhh, a benign state, poked and prodded so viciously that it has to react by kidnapping citizens of other countries, committing acts of terrorism in other countries, violating other countries' sovereignty and laws by killing its own citizens in those countries. Despite his haircut, Kim is really just a little cutey.

Just like Western countries, then.

How many foreign countries have the DPRK attacked?

[darksidedog]

Just now, baboon said:

Just like Western countries, then.

How many foreign countries have the DPRK attacked?

South Korea. Repeatedly.

The USS Pueblo, involving the death of one US Serviceman, with the vessel still held by the Koreans years later.

To see the full list, take a look at this :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_border_incidents_involving_North_Korea

[baboon]

1 minute ago, darksidedog said:

South Korea. Repeatedly.

The USS Pueblo, involving the death of one US Serviceman, with the vessel still held by the Koreans years later.

To see the full list, take a look at this :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_border_incidents_involving_North_Korea

I know about the Pueblo. Been on it, in fact... Sail a spy ship in the territorial waters (or as close as dammit to them) of a hostile country and what do you expect is going to happen?

South Korea is not a foreign country. 

[55Jay]

US has no grand designs on N. Korea.  The only people who pretend the US is remotely interested in N. Korea and would attack it, are the paranoid, attention seeking N. Koreans.  It's really annoying.

 

One phone call from Xi, the paranoid kid who's out of his depth, will cease and desist.  It might be time to put this baby to bed though.  We'll see how this pans out and if Xi was just paying the usual lip service to Trump.

Edited April 9, 2017 by 55Jay

[daveAustin]

32 minutes ago, baboon said:

Bombing the crap out of a country and destroying its infrastructure tends to cause just a tiny bit of suffering in itself.

Feels good at the time though - the bombing infrastructure bit, esp when it is that of a complete ass. Just imagine the NK people being free and no more yabbering from the blob with the funny haircut.  

[baboon]

1 minute ago, daveAustin said:

Feels good at the time though - the bombing infrastructure bit, esp when it is that of a complete ass. Just imagine the NK people being free and no more yabbering from the blob with the funny haircut.  

Well, it is interesting to note that a fair number of 'free' Koreans from the North now living in the South would return home if they could. Here's one quick article:

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-north-korean-defectors-keep-returning-home-2013-12

[CGW]

48 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

But that sadly includes thousands of their own citizens who are continuously arrested and killed. They might disagree with your comment.

Off course it is all about protecting the citizens!! Just look at all the Libyan, Iraq etc, citizens queuing up to thank "you" for their much improved lifestyle!

Dream on!

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, baboon said:

Bombing the crap out of a country and destroying its infrastructure tends to cause just a tiny bit of suffering in itself. Liberation through death is not the answer.

Hard to believe you have any sympathy for NK.  The people are starving.  Oppressed.  And the nut job leader is developing nuclear weapons.  All he has to do is give a bit of nuclear material to nutters like ISIS and look out. 

 

The US would do a precision strike and take out the nuclear facilities.  Just like Israel did in Iran.  NO infrastructure damage.

[CGW]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

Hard to believe you have any sympathy for NK.  The people are starving.  Oppressed.  And the nut job leader is developing nuclear weapons.  All he has to do is give a bit of nuclear material to nutters like ISIS and look out.

Personally I worry more about the "nut jobs" in the USA and Israel having nuclear weapons and waging war at will than I do about NK.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, baboon said:

Just like Western countries, then.

How many foreign countries have the DPRK attacked?

They are hacking many countries, causing massive problems.  Counterfeiting money

 

I'm amazed at how some support corrupt and brutal dictators like this.  Just be glad your family isn't living there.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-19/un-general-assembly-calls-for-north-korea-to-be-referred-to-icc/5977838

 

Quote

 

United Nations calls for North Korea to face International Criminal Court charges for crimes against humanity

The United Nations General Assembly has condemned North Korea's rights record and called for Pyongyang to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges of crimes against humanity.

 

 

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/24/north-korea-elite-linked-to-crime/

 

Quote

 

North Korea elite linked to crime

A group of offspring of senior North Korean communist and military leaders, including Kim Jong-il’s sons, have been linked by Western intelligence authorities to Pyongyang’s illicit activities around the world, including distribution of counterfeit $100 bills and drug trafficking.

 

 

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-scariest-thing-north-korea-could-ever-do-sell-nuclear-18313

Quote

The Scariest Thing North Korea Could Ever Do: Sell a Nuclear Weapon

 

 

Edited April 9, 2017 by craigt3365

[craigt3365]

3 minutes ago, CGW said:

Personally I worry more about the "nut jobs" in the USA and Israel having nuclear weapons and waging war at will than I do about NK.

You have a warped sense of security then.

[CGW]

5 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

You have a warped sense of security then.

I guess so! not so gullible though!

Edited April 9, 2017 by CGW

[baboon]

9 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Hard to believe you have any sympathy for NK.  The people are starving.  Oppressed.  And the nut job leader is developing nuclear weapons.  All he has to do is give a bit of nuclear material to nutters like ISIS and look out. 

 

The US would do a precision strike and take out the nuclear facilities.  Just like Israel did in Iran.  NO infrastructure damage.

The food situation has improved considerably in recent years, as has the standard of living, according to Professor Andrei Lankov. If you are interested, I'll see if I can dig out a few links to his talks.

 

Why on earth would they give nuclear materiel and / or know how to the likes of ISIS? How would it it serve them?

 

This surgical strike that you speak of - What would they hit; Yongbyon? The place is falling to bits as it is. All the 'good stuff' will be well and truly stashed away. Then there are the consequences - do you think the DPRK leadership will just stand idly by?

[baboon]

25 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

They are hacking many countries, causing massive problems.  Counterfeiting money

 

I'm amazed at how some support corrupt and brutal dictators like this.  Just be glad your family isn't living there.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-19/un-general-assembly-calls-for-north-korea-to-be-referred-to-icc/5977838

 

 

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/24/north-korea-elite-linked-to-crime/

 

 

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-scariest-thing-north-korea-could-ever-do-sell-nuclear-18313

 

 

Don't you think governments / intelligence agencies everywhere are involved in some pretty shady dealings? Of course there is a question of degree, but we aren't exactly whiter than white ourselves. No country is.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, CGW said:

I guess so! not so gullible though!

Actually, very gullible if you think NK's government is more reliable than the US.  Sad commentary when somebody thinks that.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, baboon said:

The food situation has improved considerably in recent years, as has the standard of living, according to Professor Andrei Lankov. If you are interested, I'll see if I can dig out a few links to his talks.

 

Why on earth would they give nuclear materiel and / or know how to the likes of ISIS? How would it it serve them?

 

This surgical strike that you speak of - What would they hit; Yongbyon? The place is falling to bits as it is. All the 'good stuff' will be well and truly stashed away. Then there are the consequences - do you think the DPRK leadership will just stand idly by?

I'm sure the food situation has improved over what it was a few years ago when over 1MM people died of starvation.  Great leader that allows this to happen to his countrymen.

 

They are currently trading weapons with a variety of groups.  I agree the chances are small, but they are real.  Especially when you've got a nutter running the country with zero checks and balances.

 

From my link above:

Quote

Over the years North Korea has created a web of foreign connections to peddle its missiles and components. As talks on denuclearization remain non-existent and foreign sanctions against the regime tighten, there are startling concerns that a cash-strapped Pyongyang may resort to dealing with its finances through the black-market with terrorist groups or organized crime syndicates.

 

What would they do if attacked?  Any attempts to retaliate would find them in big trouble.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, baboon said:

Don't you think governments / intelligence agencies everywhere are involved in some pretty shady dealings? Of course there is a question of degree, but we aren't exactly whiter than white ourselves. No country is.

100% agree.  But the Korean people, and the world, would be better off if NK changed directions on a lot of things.  Many are being hurt by the actions of the crazed dictator there. 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/25/technology/north-korea-hackers-global-banks.html

 

Quote

 

North Korea’s Rising Ambition Seen in Bid to Breach Global Banks

When hackers associated with North Korea tried to break into Polish banks late last year they left a trail of information about their apparent intentions to steal money from more than 100 organizations around the world, according to security researchers.

 

A list of internet protocol addresses, which was supplied by the security researchers and analyzed by The New York Times, showed that the hacking targets included institutions like the World Bank, the European Central Bank and big American companies including Bank of America.

 

I don't seem many Western governments involved in this sort of stuff.

 

[baboon]

9 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

I'm sure the food situation has improved over what it was a few years ago when over 1MM people died of starvation.  Great leader that allows this to happen to his countrymen.

 

They are currently trading weapons with a variety of groups.  I agree the chances are small, but they are real.  Especially when you've got a nutter running the country with zero checks and balances.

 

From my link above:

 

What would they do if attacked?  Any attempts to retaliate would find them in big trouble.

Yes, they trade weapons. You say it as though a host of other countries don't. Iran Contra scandal, anyone?

 

There is no denying the famine was calamatous. But what do you mean by 'it was allowed to happen'? What could be done about torrential rain, poor harvests, the collapse of the Soviet Union and sanctions? Do you think they wanted their people to starve? For what reason?

[craigt3365]

5 minutes ago, baboon said:

Yes, they trade weapons. You say it as though a host of other countries don't. Iran Contra scandal, anyone?

 

There is no denying the famine was calamatous. But what do you mean by 'it was allowed to happen'? What could be done about torrential rain, poor harvests, the collapse of the Soviet Union and sanctions? Do you think they wanted their people to starve? For what reason?

Agreed.  Weapons trade, legal or not, is one of the biggest problems in the world today. 

 

As for the famine:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korean_famine

Quote

The famine stemmed from a variety of factors. Economic mismanagement and the loss of Soviet support caused food production and imports to decline rapidly. A series of floods and droughts exacerbated the crisis. The North Korean government and its centrally planned system proved too inflexible to effectively curtail the disaster. Estimates of the death toll vary widely. Out of a total population of approximately 22 million, somewhere between 240,000 and 3,500,000 North Koreans died from starvation or hunger-related illnesses, with the deaths peaking in 1997.^[6][7] Recent research suggests that the likely number of excess deaths between 1993 and 2000 was 500,000 to 600,000.^{[8][page needed]}

^......

In the mid-2000s, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that famine conditions were in imminent danger of returning to North Korea, and the government was reported to have mobilized millions of city-dwellers in order to help rice farmers.^[68][69] In 2012, the World Food Program reported that food would be sent to North Korea as soon as possible.

...

In 2011, during a visit to North Korea, former US President Jimmy Carter reported that one third of children in North Korea were malnourished and stunted in their growth because of a lack of food.

.........

Escaped North Koreans reported in September 2010 that starvation had returned to the nation.

...

One report by the Tokyo Shimbun in April 2012 claimed that since the death of Kim Jong-il in December 2011, around 20,000 people had starved to death in South Hwanghae Province.^[78] Another report by the Japanese Asia Press agency in January 2013 claimed that in North and South Hwanghae provinces more than 10,000 people had died of famine.

 

The NK people deserve better.

[baboon]

4 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Agreed.  Weapons trade, legal or not, is one of the biggest problems in the world today. 

 

As for the famine:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korean_famine

 

The NK people deserve better.

Their government agrees with you. They have no possible reason to want famine any more than you do.

Bombing the place isn't about to make the food situation anymore bountiful, though, is it? The only winners will be war profiteers.

[boomerangutang]

3 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Hard to believe you have any sympathy for NK.  The people are starving.  Oppressed.  And the nut job leader is developing nuclear weapons.  All he has to do is give a bit of nuclear material to nutters like ISIS and look out. 

The US would do a precision strike and take out the nuclear facilities.  Just like Israel did in Iran.  NO infrastructure damage.

                       Yes, it's convoluted.  However, Trump is a simpleton, and surrounded by similar.  In Trump's mind, a surgical strike against Fat Boy Kim and a few N facility sites would be fine.  However, things are never simple with N.Korea.  There can be repercussions which aren't foreseen.  The taking of the Pueblo and its crew wasn't foreseen by the US Navy.   

 

                    N.Koreans have been brainwashed every day that the US will attack.  For the US to attack, will be a self-fulfilling prophecy for the tens of millions of N.Koreans, and many will cherish the opportunity to lash out at S.Korea and the US, and possibly also Japan.    The Vietnam imbroglio is a prime example of the power of millions of determined people working toward one goal - hurting US aggressors.   

 

               I think big changes for N.Korea will have to come from within.  An aggressive Uncle Sam will play into their game plan.  

[sirineou]

if North Korea did not have nuclear weapons, how long do you think it would have being before there was externally imposed  "regime change" there?

and what message does this send to other non aligned nations that do not desire regime change imposed upon them?

[boomerangutang]

Just now, sirineou said:

if North Korea did not have nuclear weapons, how long do you think it would have being before there was externally imposed  "regime change" there?

and what message does this send to other non aligned nations that do not desire regime change imposed upon them?

It's hard to say.  for comparison, Zimbabwe isn't a nuke country, but the rest of the world has somewhat/somehow accepted Mugabe being in charge.  Heck, Britain's Queen even honored him with a State visit.