There is a lot to unpack there. Hopefully Kim will think about all that before launching another missile. In regard to "our allies asking for assistance in stabilizing the situation," Japan is one such ally. And they are saying that North Korea is now launching missiles that are landing in Japanese waters so "you take care of him or we will and we will cancel our treaty with the US wherein we agreed to not fully militarize as long as you protected us." And the last thing China wants is an arms race with Japan in the region. Nope, its do or die time now. Obama gave them eight good years to finish off their nuke plans and they did just that.
A significant difference between Saddam and Kim is nuclear weapons. Kim can hurt us directly, whereas saddam really could not, other than a few terrorist attacks. If we are willing to truly risk take the bloody nose of the potential loss of a few coastal cities in exchange for the obliteration of a dangerous opponent and the world considering us as even more dangerous, then that decision should still be on the table. It is hard to quantify the long term outcome of such a war. Russia, China and some other countries would likely “go all in” in a millitary build up and be utterly committed to ousting our influence from the region for starters. We have been outplayed by Kim and need to put a stop loss on this. As of now, we have lost a little pride and influence. We are still a great country and risking North Korean, our Allies, and American lifes merely ups the bet with a losing hand. Sometimes the best way to defeat an enemy is to make him a friend.
Right. And as I said, Kim needs to think about that situation. Having or not having nukes and playing games with the Americans by threatening us with what you may or may not have may still lead to the American just taking you out if you are successful in fooling them into thinking that you do. Go for it. Keep telling telling the Americans that you have nukes and producing videos showing Korean missiles hitting the US. See how that works out for you even if you don't have them. But hey, Trump will probably be in your area soon, Kim. If you got some good games and bullshit you want to unload, go for it. You gotta do what you gotta do. So do the Americans.
Millions of South Koreans,Japanese and Americans being killed by nuclear weapons would be a great legacy for Trump
If I want a friend, I will get a dog. The President is responsible for protecting the country. Kim is firing missiles. Threatening to hit Guam, Hawaii etc. He can stop or be taken out. We are no longer running a counseling program to see if we can bond with Kim. The guy runs the largest set of gulags on earth at this moment and is unable to make friends with even his own people unless they are part of the regime inner circle. Even then he executes at least one relative every six months or more. We are offering him a very fair and humane way to survive and be left alone. He needs to choose wisely.
Communication is key. Trump should meet with him before committing to a North Korean policy. If Trump concludes that negotiating with Kim is futile, and presents a clear and present danger to the United States and its allies, he should order Kim to be taken out. The United States certainly has the ability to take Kim out as I can think of several low key ways to get to him in his underground rail system on my own. The same leader who kills his own people to stay in power will not hesitate in killing outside forces who try to remove him from power. Thus, it is almost certain we will get a bloody nose if we respond militarily to Kim. Is it worth it? Communication before action is better leadership than action before communication.