Eric Margolis: War Risk Rises Sharply In Korea!

The United States, and the two feuding Koreas, could blunder into a real war, unless both Pyongyang and Washington cease provoking one another. Last week, two nuclear capable US B-2 stealth bombers flew non stop from America to South Korea, and then home. These invisible aircraft can carry the GBU-43/B MOAB 13,600kg bomb, that is said to be able to blast through 70 meters of reinforced concrete, putting North Korea's underground nuclear facilities, and its leadership's command bunkers under dire threat. Earlier this month, US B-52's heavy bombers staged mock attack runs over South Korea, within minutes of flying time of the North, rekindling memories of the massive US carpet bombing raids, that devastated North Korea during the 1950's Korean War. US South Korean Australian war games, in March, were designed to train for war with the North. The US media ignored these provocative exercises, but, as usual, North Korea went ballistic, foolishly threatening to attack the US with long ranged missiles it does not possess. We have grown jaded over the years, by North Korea's threats, and chest beating, but its recent successful nuclear test, and work on a long ranged missile, have begun to add muscle to Pyongyang's threats. No sooner was the new young  North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, in power than the US, South Korea and Japan began testing him. More important, the US South Korea defense treaty calls on Washington to militarily intervene, if war erupts between North and South Korea. Given present tensions, a border fight on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), commando raids by North Korea's 110,000 man special forces, air or naval clashes, could quickly lead to full war. North Korea has repeatedly threatened to flatten parts of South Korea's capitol, Seoul, using 11,000 heavy guns, and rocket batteries, hidden in caves along the DMZ. North Korean commandos and missile batteries are tasked with attacking all US airbases, and command headquarters in South Korea. The 28,500 US troops based in South Korea, will also be a primary target. North Korea's medium ranged missiles are aimed at US bases on mainland Japan, Okinawa and Guam. North Korea's tough 1.1 million man army is poised to attack south. Massive US air-power would eventually blunt such an advance, but that would mean moving US warplanes from the Gulf and Afghanistan. The US Air Force's stock of bombs and missiles, are perilously low, and its equipment showing heavy wear and tear.