Trump Authorizes More Sanctions on North Korea
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Whoever said insanity is repeating the same thing, expecting a different result likely had US policymakers in mind, notably Trump. Madness defines his rogue agenda.
Multiple rounds of harsh sanctions on North Korea were counterproductive, encouraging its government to continue pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile deterrents.
After threatening to “totally destroy” the DPRK in his disgraceful UN tirade, Trump signed a new executive order during a working lunch with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
It “expands authorities to target individuals, companies, financial institutions that finance and facilitate trade with North Korea,” he said.
It authorizes “cut(ting) off sources of revenue that fund North Korea's efforts to develop the deadliest weapons known to humankind” – ones America threatens to use preemptively against any nation, notably ones threatening no one.
In New York at the UN, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho said if Trump thought “he could scare us with the sound of a dog barking, that’s really a dog dream.”
He referred to a proverb saying “dogs bark, but the caravans move on.” A “dog dream” means something absurd. He added he “feel(s) sorry for (Trump’s) aides,” having to put up with his antics.
Harsh US sanctions often precede something more sinister. Would hawkish US generals running Trump’s foreign policy dare attack North Korea?
Would they risk strong retaliation, likely affecting South Korea, Japan and US regional forces? China and Russia could intervene if their security is threatened.
Attacking North Korea would be madness, risking possible nuclear war.
Sanctions accomplish nothing. Unilaterally imposing them is illegal. As long as US hostility against the DPRK remains unabated, its government will continue pursuing the strongest nuclear and ballistic deterrents possible, preparing to use them in self-defense if attacked.
Trump is so hawkish and unpredictable, it’s hard knowing what he’ll do next. His first eight months in office have been disastrous.
What countries will he attack next? Would he dare target North Korea and Iran? More unilateral US sanctions on the Islamic Republic are almost certain.
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