U.S. flies B-52 over S.Korea after North's nuclear test

[a7mos]

U.S. flies B-52 over S.Korea after North's nuclear test

The United States deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea on Sunday, a show of force following North Korea's nuclear test last week.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un maintained that Wednesday's test was of a hydrogen bomb and said it was a self-defensive step against a U.S. threat of nuclear war.

North Korea's fourth nuclear test angered both China, its main ally, and the United States, although the U.S. government and weapons experts doubt the North's claim that the device was a hydrogen bomb.

The massive B-52, based in Guam and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, could be seen in a low flight over Osan Air Base at around noon (0300 GMT). It was flanked by two fighter planes, a U.S. F-16 and a South Korean F-15, before returning to Guam, the U.S. military said in a statement.

Osan is south of Seoul and 77 km (48 miles) from the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two Koreas. The flight was "in response to recent provocative action by North Korea", the U.S. military said.


http://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea-nuclear-idUSKCN0UO01I20160110

Do you think a war may start ?

[BADecker]

We double dare you. Do another and blow us away.   

[axxo]

The correct conclusion to be drawn from this 'show of force' flight is that a single B-52 can now turn the entire county of North Korea into a smoking hole in the ground, depending on its weapons configuration.

[manis]

North Korea only has its weapons / weapons program as a bargaining chip.
So they went ahead and conducted their nuclear test.
This show of force shouldn't bother them.

[oHnK]

U.S. has shown that north korea is no force that can match despite nuclear test successfully.

[strayanbit]

Seems like a waste of jet fuel.
I imagine the show of force is really for China, they're the real threat to regional peace.

[manis]

Seems like a waste of jet fuel.
I imagine the show of force is really for China, they're the real threat to regional peace.

I don't think that is the case. The timing shows that it was intended for North Korea.
China can be talked to.
North Koreans are nut cases.

[strayanbit]

Yeah, you're probably right, though China has a few disputed territorial ambitions and a history of taking over by force if necessary.
But then again, China's economy is in a bit of a downturn at the moment so they're probably hoping NK's Nukes for foreign aid program pays off.

[galdur]

OK, they shoot down a B-52, get nuked and Wall Street drops 95%. It would be an interesting situation in a country where most people plus the dog are armed to the teeth.

[oHnK]

Seems like a waste of jet fuel.
I imagine the show of force is really for China, they're the real threat to regional peace.

I don't think that is the case. The timing shows that it was intended for North Korea.
China can be talked to.
North Koreans are nut cases.

Because North Koreans are nut cases. So it takes a force to match such as that shown in US with B-52 aircraft.

[strayanbit]

You would imagine than North Korea is already well aware of the existence of multiple b-52s, it doesnt seem like much of a gesture tbh

[galdur]

You would imagine than North Korea is already well aware of the existence of multiple b-52s, it doesnt seem like much of a gesture tbh

Well, I doubt that they fly much in S-Korea. Maybe once a decade.

[zenitzz]

A single B-52?? Granted, just one could take care of North Korea single handedly but a whole wing might have been more demonstrative.

[galdur]

A single B-52?? Granted, just one could take care of North Korea single handedly but a whole wing might have been more demonstrative.

Yeah, it´s always so easy, but later it turns out that it isn´t such a cakewalk after all. At some point the usual nutcases will start talking about how the people of North Korea will welcome the invaders with flowers and democracy will be in place in no time 

[strayanbit]

Lo

A single B-52?? Granted, just one could take care of North Korea single handedly but a whole wing might have been more demonstrative.

Yeah, it´s always so easy, but later it turns out that it isn´t such a cakewalk after all. At some point the usual nutcases will start talking about how the people of North Korea will welcome the invaders with flowers and democracy will be in place in no time 

Remember old mate standing on the deck.... "mission accomplished!"
Hundreds of thousands of lives later....   

[xht]

USA don't care about the Syria, over there are more need help And have time and money to come to Asian countries making difficult. What is the intention? Don't forget what left behind after war in middle east.

[strayanbit]

I heard the US is already doing more than flying one plane over South Korea... They are already bombing dem Daeshbags (along with a few mates).  
Or perhaps you like what Mr Putin is doing and bombing any opposition to Assad?

[galdur]

I heard the US is already doing more than flying one plane over South Korea... They are already bombing dem Daeshbags (along with a few mates).  
Or perhaps you like what Mr Putin is doing and bombing any opposition to Assad?

If you rely on serial-liars for information, you better keep track of their changing stories.    Cameron said that 70,000 moderate freedom fighters were ready to support the campaign of the Royal Air Force (which hasn´t been heard much about after day two, most likely because it´s pretty much useless) but now he says that they may not be so moderate after all, probably terrorists.

[strayanbit]

I'm not sure that every major news outlet in the world could be considered liars...  besides, the US and Straya have been bombing for a couple of months now.  I don't know anything about the UK's involvement though..
I'm guessing here, but I imagine its difficult to tell whos who in this conflict.  You have the old regime, secular opposition groups, islamic opposition groups, ISIS, AQ and god knows who else all fighting each other and teaming up at other times. 
Who is moderate?  Is it just the secular opposition? or do we include islamic groups as well? Is Assad better than Daesh or AQ?... seems like an extremely complex situation, which I look forward to hearing your thoughts on!

[bryant.coleman]

Yeah, it´s always so easy, but later it turns out that it isn´t such a cakewalk after all. At some point the usual nutcases will start talking about how the people of North Korea will welcome the invaders with flowers and democracy will be in place in no time 

Do you really believe that the United States can achieve a conclusive military victory against DPRK? I don't think so (that is, unless the Americans nuke every square inch of North Korea). Unlike the case with countries such as Iraq and Libya, the North Korean military technology is very advanced. They even have ICBMs, capable of targeting the whole of Japan (and probably Alaska as well).