With North Korea continuing down the same path of nuclear weapons advancements, Americans have mixed feelings about how to proceed. Unlike many issues that have very clear conservative and/or Federalist perspectives for a unified voice, the complexity of the the North Korea situation delivers the most diverse set of foreign policy perspectives we’ve seen from any issue since the Iraq War.
As Facebook used to say, “It’s complicated.”
Here are some of the right-leaning hot takes on the topic int he last 24 hours:
Senator Ben Sasse issues decisive statement on North Korea
Susan Wright, RedState
They may be forced to call him “Dear Leader,” but we can see by the way they’re forced to live that he’s not a leader, but a dictator, and he is rabid.
Keep in prayer over this situation. Pray for our leadership, that God give them wisdom. Pray for our allies to come together in this moment. And pray for peace.
White House warns U.S. will use its ‘nuclear capability’ if North Korea attacks an ally
Kyle Feldscher, Washington Examiner
The White House said North Korea’s test of a nuclear weapon would not drive the allies apart.
“The two leaders condemned North Korea’s continued destabilizing and provocative actions, confirmed the two countries’ ironclad mutual defense commitments, and pledged to continue close cooperation,” the statement read.
Hostile and Dangerous: President Trump responds to North Korean nuclear test
Emily Zanotti, DailyWire
Trump has convened his national security team, as well as tapped his Treasury Secetary, Steve Mnuchin, for ideas. According to sources close to the White House, Mnuchin is tasked with putting together a comprehensive economic sanctions plan that will outline harsher punishments for North Korea. But it’s hard to get much harsher than what North Korea already faces: an almost complete blockade of trade with most Western nations.
Mattis warns U.S. could bring “total annihilation” to North Korea
John T. Bennett, Roll Call
“We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack,” Mattis said of the U.S. military. “And our commitment among the allies is ironclad: Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.
“Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council’s unified voice — all members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses and they remain unanimous on their commitment to the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” he said, then concluding the prepared statement with what sounded like a threat of an armed conflict unless Kim changes his behavior in a major way.
Cruz: U.S. response requires greater missile defense
Kelsey Tamborrino, Politico
“Missile interception technology has increased dramatically, and the next arena where this is going to play out is in space,” Cruz said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”
“We need to do the investment now, so that in years to come we have that intercept capability,” added the Texas Republican, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
North Korea responds to Trump’s “fire and fury” threat with a hydrogen bomb
Bruce Klingner, National Interest
Pyongyang last night conducted its first test of a hydrogen (thermonuclear) bomb. The device was ten times more powerful than any of those detonated in North Korea’s five earlier atomic (fission) nuclear tests, signifying yet another surprise breakthrough in the regime’s nuclear program.
This is the first nuclear test during President Trump’s tenure, and the world will be watching to see how he responds. One thing is certain: this test will further roil the already unsettled dynamics in northeast Asia.
Mattis warns North Korea of ‘massive military response’ if it threatens US, allies
Julia Manchester, The Hill
Mattis’s aggressive, holiday-weekend statement comes hours after North Korean state media announced the country had successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen bomb capable of fitting on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The little man with the big gun is an imminent threat. The U.S. and the world must address this situation now. https://t.co/8nkVNGYw1b
— JD Rucker (@JDRucker) September 4, 2017
White House warns U.S. will use its 'nuclear capability' if North Korea attacks an ally https://t.co/9x7KRN25XC
— Nick Short ?? (@PoliticalShort) September 4, 2017
.@KellyannePolls: "@POTUS is not going to broadcast to North Korea or anyone else ahead of time what the United States will do next." pic.twitter.com/aEgfHWbP1c
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 4, 2017
The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017
South Korea detects that North Korea is preparing for a possible ballistic missile launch https://t.co/nzOBsXImkD pic.twitter.com/yra0f3Knp1
— Bloomberg (@business) September 4, 2017
The only certainty is that the situation is volatile. The entire world is watching how the leader of the most powerful nation on earth will respond to threats from arguably the most dangerous leader on earth.
