Is North Korea a rational actor?

[BeBMan]

A) Hell no! That Kim guy is a lunatic, and we never know if he buys into his own propaganda enough that he would try something stupid on his own, like attacking South Korea, esp. after he managed to get enough nuclear capabilty to think he can get away with it (this doesn't have to be a huge arsenal comparable to that of the US or Russia, just enough that he thinks he's safe.)


B) Oh yes, he might be a lunatic still, but his absurd rhetorics is rather well-calculated to scare the US as long his nuclear capabilities are still under-developed. Making hysteric threats all the time is designed to win time until he has what he wants - nukes plus advanced delivery systems which he sees as ultimate long-term safeguard for his regime. Once he's arrived there he will not be stupid enough to use them offensively or attack US allies, since he realizes that would be his end.


C) He's just the AntiTrump (shrug option)


Discuss.

[Dauphin]

Is he actually the guy in charge?

[BeBMan]

Kim or Trump?

[Dauphin]

Kim.

Trump threatened fire and fury, and then wussed out at the first bluff call, So we know he ain't in charge.

[Dinner]

Marginally. They will do stuff like randomly fire artillery at South Koa or sink ships because they think they can get away with it but they probably won't nuke anyone as they know the result would be their own annihilation.

The main lesson NK seems to have learned from Iraq and Libya is that you need nukes or eventually you get taken down.

[rah]

B: Yes, Buying time. He's like Trump, his mouth gets him in trouble.

[Proteus_MST]

Marginally. They will do stuff like randomly fire artillery at South Koa or sink ships because they think they can get away with it but they probably won't nuke anyone as they know the result would be their own annihilation.

The main lesson NK seems to have learned from Iraq and Libya is that you need nukes or eventually you get taken down.

Especially considering that it is doubtful that they actually have any reliable nuclear warheads (or reliable warhead carriers) in their possession.
Sounds a little bit idiotic, even for Kims standards, to risk nuclear retaliation iof you cannot even be sure that your own nuclear warheads reach their targets (and explode)
(not to forget that, despite being a half-god for the north koreans, I have no doubt that a failed nuclear attack by Kim would be such a propaganda desaster, that the north koreans would themselves take care, that Kims rule will end very soon and violent)

[pchang]

Kim's threats are mainly for domestic consumption. He needs to appear very strong and in charge at all times. The moment anyone in NK sense weakness......Kim is a dead man.

[SlowwHand]

A

[giblets]

He's crazy, it's like if AAHZ were the leader of a country.

[ZEE]

[rah]

Either country really.

[ZEE]

Also I just want to add that President Donald John Trump and Glorious Leader Kim Jong-un are both wonderful leaders that care very deeply about their people and the welfare of the entire planet. Putin too!

What a wonderful world we live in, you guise! I am so happy! If you are upset by these things, just relax and take soem deep breaths. Maybe you need medication as well. AAHZ understands your pain.

[Dauphin]

Wig swap.

[pchang]

Kim looks better, but Trump looks worse.