Comments Related To: North Korea: Barks Loud, But Only Biting Itself In The...

Very insightful report. This definitely is fueling some serious tension. They're ruining the game of kickball, except this time they're not messing with some kids. It's some grown man business. Hopefully the situation can calm down soon. We don't need any more conflict in the world right now.

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there is nothing insightful in this report. there are no facts mentioned and the only insightful thing I can see here is the following:

"...the country is experiencing from the squeeze of sanctions and international opinion." alas one forgets that the sanctions used as a weapon by the international community hurts the people and it reinforces the public opinion in favour of the regime in countries like North Korea.

As for the record is concerned let me remind the readers that under a february 13, 2007 agreement reached at six-nation talks in Beijing, North Korea must shut down its main nuclear reactor and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country within 60 days.In return US lifts sanctions against North Korea before it shuts down its nuclear reactor as part of an international disarmament deal.

As is known the Americans backed out and refused to lift sanctions against the North Korean despite the deal. So the question is who is to blame for this impasse? Americans or the North Koreans. With continued sanctions millions of people have lost their lives and with countries swaying under US influence refusing to do business with North Korea there is a humanitarian disaster and no respectful solution in sight.

Is sanctions the only answer? Definitely no.

If sanctions has to be applied then Israel is a fit case and Not North Korea. The world must stop looking at problems from an American prism which is myopic.

@citizenjournal let me be clear. As I mentioned in my report, it is a vicious cycle. You cannot play the blame game without showing some favoritism to one side or the other. Because N. Korea JUST shot off missiles today, it is apparent my attention is focused on the latest actions taken by one side. However, the reason that people TALK, is so that they can reach compromise. Compromise means BOTH sides will have to sacrifice something to gain more. So while you can argue about who is to blame for this impasse, firing missiles off when you KNOW the international community responds unfavorably to that, doesn't HELP the situation.

You can talk about Humanitarian Disaster and things like that in N. Korea which do exist, but if you bring up the humanitarian situation "caused" by sanctions and US influence, you can swing that a million ways. Maybe N. Korea should focus less on its military might when it KNOWS that it is suffering from a humanitarian crisis. Whatever policies are or are not being enacted towards Israel have nothing to do with the situation in North Korea. In kindegarten, you rarely got out of dealing with the consequences of your action by pointing the finger at someone else you thought was doing the same or worse. It doesn't take away from the fact that N. Korea is not encouraging people to be favorable to them.

Now take from that what you will, but so long as they pursue these tests I doubt anyone will want to honor a deal struck between a habitual rule breaker. Its like trusting a sociopath.

As to the lack of insight, I am sorry you feel that way. I felt that I cited the facts of the situation today. You quoted one fact-and even THAT fact relies on interpretation, as some media in N.Korea tried to downplay the disarmament requirements you said the government agreed to ("1million tons of oil for a temporary suspension of their program doesn't sound like cooperation or the same terms the other 5 countries expected). Also verbally agreeing and then doing 60 days later are entirely different things.

I respect what you bring to the table @citizenjournal because it produces good clarifying points when we engage and discuss. But I believe it is a stretch to imply I didn't keep the facts in mind when thinking of the situation.

@citizenjournal also right before those talks you pointed out, didn't they test a nuclear missile, causing all sorts of mistrust and security dilemmas? Taking things in context would better serve the merit of anyone's arguments when reporting on politics, social issues, or news. N. Korea didn't even have a proven track record up to that agreement, and said one thing to the other 5 countries than it did internally in its own media. It is too bad that nothing in politics or foreign policy is black and white anymore - but that just means that all sides are making decisions where there not 100% certainty about the truth or intentions of the others involved. Whatever the case, firing missiles off is not doing North Korea any favors, regardless of their reasoning or justifications for doing so.