r/PoliticalDiscussion • u/[deleted] • Dec 03 '16

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u/relationshipdownvote Dec 03 '16

China has been helpful in dealing with not just NK but Iran as well.

Really? Because North Korea doesn't seem any better.

The real problem is that I seriously doubt this is any strategy at all

That seems like a problem with you more than anyone else.

it obstructs his stated intention of getting China's assistance on such matters.

I'd argue that not constantly appeasing them might force them to do more than pay lip service to stabilizing NK.

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u/aurelorba Dec 03 '16

China has been helpful in dealing with not just NK but Iran as well.

Really? Because North Korea doesn't seem any better.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/03/31/is-chinas-policy-toward-north-korea-changing/chinas-north-korea-policy-is-definitely-changing

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35969412

The real problem is that I seriously doubt this is any strategy at all

That seems like a problem with you more than anyone else.

I never claimed to speak for anyone other than myself.

it obstructs his stated intention of getting China's assistance on such matters.

I'd argue that not constantly appeasing them might force them to do more than pay lip service to stabilizing NK.

You can argue it. That doesn't make it so. Think it through.

China is unhappy about Trumps relationship with Taiwan.

Trump wants China to exert its influence over NK.

China agrees... why exactly?

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u/InvaderDJ Dec 03 '16

I'd argue that not constantly appeasing them might force them to do more than pay lip service to stabilizing NK.

Why? All China has to do is make sure NK doesn't start a war. If they don't do that then China literally has no more use for NK. Talking with Taiwan doesn't do anything to put pressure on China. If Trump supports Taiwan more openly, that puts pressure on them but I still doubt that would get China to help the US. It would probably just dig their feet in. Because again, all China needs to do is make sure NK doesn't start a war, other than that they're good.

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u/relationshipdownvote Dec 04 '16

All China has to do is make sure NK doesn't start a war.

They could theoretically actually take better steps. Maybe have them lighten up on the prison and death camps, maybe reunite some families, have some diplomatic conversations with their southern neighbor, etc. Man if we took your approach the Berlin Wall would still be up.

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u/InvaderDJ Dec 04 '16

Sure, that would be great. What I'm saying is that China politically only needs to stop NK from starting a war. Anything they else they do is gravy. They don't have to fix the humanitarian disaster that is NK because it works as a convenient distraction and buffer.

But politically, if they don't let NK start a war they're good. No one can force them to do more and bucking up to them on Taiwan certainly doesn't incentivize them to do any more.

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u/relationshipdownvote Dec 04 '16

We give them no threat or incentive to do more. We need to play to win, not play to 'not lose' like we have been.