Brad Taylor, Columnist

How to Beat North Korea at Nuclear Blackmail

Kim will never give up the weapons that guarantee his survival. But the U.S. can't roll over, either.

August 18, 2017 at 1:50 PM UTC

Brad Taylor is the author of the Pike Logan series of military thrillers including the forthcoming "Daughter of War." He served for more than 20 years as a U.S. Army officer in various special operations positions.

Live with it.
Source: AFP photo/KCNA via KNS

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

“Strategic patience” is out as the U.S. approach to North Korea, and “strategic accountability” is the new term of art. That’s according to an op-ed article by Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. “The object of our peaceful pressure campaign,” they write, “is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

While I heartedly approve of finally providing clarity beyond President Donald Trump’s bombastic statements, we should be realistic. I understand the reasons for the message -- not the least of which is a shot across the bow to China -- but let me deliver some tough love: North Korea is not going to give up its nuclear weapons, and any discussion indicating otherwise is wishful thinking.