Blog 4: North Korea

The article North Korea Threatens to Attack U.S. With ‘Lighter and Smaller Nukes’ really caught my eye because we just recently learned about "big mean scary world" and I feel like this is a perfect example of that in the news today. I believe that the authors intended audience is just the general public, and it seems to be working in my opinion. I have personally heard a lot on this topic from my peers and I feel like it is because it is targeting its audiences fear. The article did use a lot of quotes like “As we have already declared, we will take second and third countermeasures of greater intensity against the reckless hostilities of the United States and all the other enemies, they had better heed our warning.” But I would feel like it would be more credible if they had given their sources. This article is more of an informative article because it is not really making an argument. I found this quote interesting, "North Korea would use such peace talks with the United States to sideline South Korea and try to negotiate the withdrawal of American troops from the South." I think that we should have a peace treaty even if it means removing troops from South Korea. In this article Come Home, America, it gives great reasons why America should remove troops from other parts of the world, not just North Korea. So how severe are these threats? Well The Washington Post says After North Korea threat, White House says US can defend itself against attack and gives a lot of references to quotes by White House spokesman Jay Carney, The top U.S. envoy on North Korea Glyn Davies, Sen. Marco Rubio, and more. But ultimately, I think the article feels, as stated, "It is difficult to know how capable U.S. missile defense is, should it be required." Other articles on the other hand, are very skeptical on the White Houses response to these threats, such as America, North Korea's threats are not coming from a crazy uncle -- they're real. "These [Washington Officials] also downplay North Korea’s capabilities—even as they grow steadily stronger." This article feels these threats are not something to take lightly and suggests action. "To adapt this to North Korea and the changing threat it poses, the U.S. should move intermediate-range nuclear cruise missiles to the region.  To make deterrence seem more real, we should also have a NATO-style Nuclear Planning Group with Canada, Japan and perhaps other Pacific allies."