Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 16, 2017

It’s not quite there yet. Korea’s conflict escalates, but there’s still more mount to climb. Trump is increasing weapons sales to South Korea and Japan, based on a September 5 Tweet; North Korea called him a “strangler of peace” and a “war merchant”. Mattis told the Army to “Stand ready”. Hawaii is rehearsing for attacks.

Most of the talk is to get everyone psyched-up plenty of time in advance—soldiers, nations, and peoples. The timing, however, will come at a convergence of defenses being in place and opportunity being open. Then, the US will either strike with “just cause” or “strik-taliate” as it did with Pearl Harbor and the Lusitania.

In the meanwhile, expect the escalation to continue. Expect more Navy strike groups to be directed. Expect the USS Ford to replace the decommissioned USS Enterprise and the USS Reagan to replace the USS Vinson, somewhere in East Asia. Three aircraft carriers, two on their way in and one their way out is certainly a military peak. But, also keep an eye out for a shift in types of Korea-related headlines followed by a quiet from central command. Once the press release statements resemble a ship casting off, that’s what you call a clue. And, we haven’t been clued in quite yet.

Korea

Donald Trump summons US Generals to White House WAR ROOM over North Korea | Daily Star

North Korea ‘hackers steal US-South Korea war plans’ | BBC

Mattis to Army: ‘Stand ready’ if North Korea diplomacy fails | Army Times

University of Hawaii sends email titled ‘in the event of a nuclear attack’ | NY Daily

North Korean Missiles Will Be Able To Reach U.S. After Modernization: Ifax Cites Russian Lawmaker | Fox News

World War 3: North Korea claims Trump has ‘lit the wick of WAR’ – threatens ‘HAIL OF FIRE’ | Express

US sends SECOND nuclear warship and 7,500 marines within strike range of North Korea | Daily Star

Second carrier to join US ships near Korean Peninsula | CNN

Congress warned North Korean EMP attack would kill ‘90% of all Americans’ | Examiner

Has Kim Jong-Un tested another nuclear bomb? Magnitude 2.9 earthquake is detected near North Korean test site | Daily Mail

North Korea calls Trump a ‘strangler of peace’ | CNN