American spends more on its military than the rest of the world combined. It's so big it will never be used in a war because there is no adversary that they could fight.
They have a military/airforce/navy that is so big there is literally no nation, or even if every nation combined that could even have a fair fight with them. It's a thousand times larger than its closest super power.
Americas war machine spending and power is akin to making a terminator robot to kill a mouse in your basement. It's complete and utter overkill (and not for our benefit, it's the size it is to throw money at the military war machine companies that push money into the pockets of congressmen)
They have over 7 thousand nuclear weapons and allies from other nations that would fire theirs on anyone who made a first attack. They have also shown they have zero problems using a nuclear weapon.
Knowing all of that you're worried about a tin pot country like north korea, or even russia?
What do you suggest is done? People like to take such simplistic views on acts of war or hypothetic scenarios of possible war. Small nations like N.K have always rattled sabers or publicly shown "might" throughout history. That is certainly no way to make a comparison to Nazi Germany in the mid to late 30's, which was one of the most powerful military machines ever conceived.
Nk has the capability to damage allied nations, any conflict there brought about by aggressive US action would lead to serious issues in terms of stability. Attacking someone like Saddam is one thing, attacking a nation so close to world powers is something else entirely.
This isn't a simple matter of taking out a loud mouth braggart. Actions there have far reaching consequence.
As someone with an MA in military history, the Nazi 'war machine' is something of a myth, at least at the get-go. The Germans in 1939 had developed advanced tank tacics, benefited from some of the best armored warfare commanders in the world, and had a potent, focused air force that was designed largely around destroying an enemy air force on the ground. However, they also went to war riding bicycles and horses.
The Wehrmacht at the start of WWII was essentially an exercise in contradiction - they had excellent training, what great equipment that they possessed was first-rate (though there wasn't a lot of it), and they could rely on one of the most advanced industrial bases in the world from which to wage their war. However, they were totally outnumbered in tanks, aircraft and manpower by the combined forces of Britain and France alone, and their navy was a pittance compared to what it should have been (plan Z would have readied, in theory, the Kriegsmarine for a full scale naval war by 1945/46) - the allies had every reason to believe that Hitler would lose, and lose dramatically.
The early war was won largely on the boldness of Erwin Rommel and Heinz Guderian, who both appreciated that modern tank warfare was evolving even as they fought in 1940; that gaps in an enemy line that never could have been exploited in 1918 (or even 1930) could be breached by a willful commander willing to take risks. Both these officers ignored repeated, direct orders for Berlin to halt, and were able to completely encircle most of the Northern French forces. Once the collapse began, it couldn't be reversed - even though the French strategic situation following the initial defeat wasn't hopeless, the French themselves were. The fall of France from that point on was inevitable.
Now, granted, the German military in 1939 was a power - and it possessed a complete freedom of action that the North Koreans lack. N.K. is isolated, starved, has isufficient resources, a paltry military-industrial base, and is almost wholy dependent on outside sources for equipment and materiel. They have an absolutely laughable air force, almost no navy to speak of, and, most importantly, even their ground forces probably can't be expected to wage war much outside a 100-mile starting point - they simply lack the logistical means to push an envelope any further than that.
So no, you are correct: comparisons with Nazi Germany are a complete joke. However, the Germans really couldn't be considered a 'military juggernaut' until 1941, and their window for it was pretty brief, as the invasion of Russia took its harsh toll.
What do you suggest is done? People like to take such simplistic views on acts of war or hypothetic scenarios of possible war. Small nations like N.K have always rattled sabers or publicly shown "might" throughout history. That is certainly no way to make a comparison to Nazi Germany in the mid to late 30's, which was one of the most powerful military machines ever conceived.
Nk has the capability to damage allied nations, any conflict there brought about by aggressive US action would lead to serious issues in terms of stability. Attacking someone like Saddam is one thing, attacking a nation so close to world powers is something else entirely.
This isn't a simple matter of taking out a loud mouth braggart. Actions there have far reaching consequence.
As someone with an MA in military history, the Nazi 'war machine' is something of a myth, at least at the get-go. The Germans in 1939 had developed advanced tank tacics, benefited from some of the best armored warfare commanders in the world, and had a potent, focused air force that was designed largely around destroying an enemy air force on the ground. However, they also went to war riding bicycles and horses.
The Wehrmacht at the start of WWII was essentially an exercise in contradiction - they had excellent training, what great equipment that they possessed was first-rate (though there wasn't a lot of it), and they could rely on one of the most advanced industrial bases in the world from which to wage their war. However, they were totally outnumbered in tanks, aircraft and manpower by the combined forces of Britain and France alone, and their navy was a pittance compared to what it should have been (plan Z would have readied, in theory, the Kriegsmarine for a full scale naval war by 1945/46) - the allies had every reason to believe that Hitler would lose, and lose dramatically.
The early war was won largely on the boldness of Erwin Rommel and Heinz Guderian, who both appreciated that modern tank warfare was evolving even as they fought in 1940; that gaps in an enemy line that never could have been exploited in 1918 (or even 1930) could be breached by a willful commander willing to take risks. Both these officers ignored repeated, direct orders for Berlin to halt, and were able to completely encircle most of the Northern French forces. Once the collapse began, it couldn't be reversed - even though the French strategic situation following the initial defeat wasn't hopeless, the French themselves were. The fall of France from that point on was inevitable.
Now, granted, the German military in 1939 was a power - and it possessed a complete freedom of action that the North Koreans lack. N.K. is isolated, starved, has isufficient resources, a paltry military-industrial base, and is almost wholy dependent on outside sources for equipment and materiel. They have an absolutely laughable air force, almost no navy to speak of, and, most importantly, even their ground forces probably can't be expected to wage war much outside a 100-mile starting point - they simply lack the logistical means to push an envelope any further than that.
So no, you are correct: comparisons with Nazi Germany are a complete joke. However, the Germans really couldn't be considered a 'military juggernaut' until 1941, and their window for it was pretty brief, as the invasion of Russia took its harsh toll.
I know what you're saying, I wasn't saying they were the biggest army nor the most powerful, they just worked in a new way that took most of Europe by surprise. Hence why I said mid to late 30's (where their industry/technology started to pick up). They built their force specifically to move fast while offering intense firepower for the time. Most nations weren't prepared for that nature of the German military in the late 30's. Battle-lines didn't move so fast prior. Hence their success against what would otherwise be a more powerful enemy in terms of overall manpower (the rest of Europe).One of the biggest blunders in Russia was underestimating the tactics they would employ against their own people to keep Germany at bay. In combination with the severe weather of course.
North Korea are nothing like that, their tactics nor technology would surprise no-one outside of how archaic they truly are.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
I just gave update to the OP because its time to do something. Many people do not realize that the longer we wait the more damage will be caused once N.Korea decides they are ready to attack. It is clear they are arming themselves for a fight. The leader just executed 2 of his man for disobeying him. This is dictatorship at its worse and this little fat man is going to get bolder and bolder until someone kills him. Realize this leader is delusional so you cannot think rationally when it comes to them. He will do erratic things that make no sense and the only result will be millions of dead people.
You cannot let an insane person who lusts for death remain in office.
You cannot let an insane person who lusts for death remain in office.
Tell that to the North Koreans. The nations of the world still abide by an informal, undocumented rule preventing state sanctioned assassinations of another nation's leadership.
"I used to think the worst thing in life was to be all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." Robin Williams
They are at it again. Man I swear they will end up killing a few million people before anyone wakes up. They are set to make another launch within the next 3 days.
I still really don't see the threat of Korea with a Ballistic Missile. They still have a lot of hold over from the Soviet Union. Most of their air force is locked in place 40 years ago. You can see their entire commercial air service is grounded most of the time because they are dilapidated. Yet we somehow expect a country that cannot even produce it's own jet fighter to produce a nuclear missile without outside help? Those missiles parading around look like they are stock left over from the Soviet Union.
It takes a lot to make a nuclear weapon. It simply isn't making a hole in the ground and saying you are doing nuclear tests. That hole would have blown up many times if it were true. If it isn't then it's a weak nuclear device. In order to refine the weapons grade uranium or plutonium, you need relatively sophisticated machinery and a lot of waste product. In order to make a triggering mechanism you need a team of brilliant scientists. These are things missing in North Korea due to their political structure.
You simply cannot have an advanced technological country with an isolated centrally planned economy. You cannot have a well-educated populace when you only put 10% through higher level schooling. As a country it's difficult to function when half the populace is in the military.
The Roman army was the biggest in the world at the time, but it didn't do any good when they brought in all the barbarians for free labor. Corruption like crazy. Giving tons of things away for free. Their citizens getting lazy and compliant. They then elected a barbarian leader. They also no longer had romans in their army (or very little), and mostly foreigners in their army. Amongst many other things.
Guess what happened? The barbarians revolted (and of course there were many other issues. Huge debts because of all the free hand outs, the corruption etc) and despite the size and strength of Rome...it fell. Their "own" army turned against them. No surprise there.
Just like what will happen AND is happening to the western world.
So the size of an army/military means nothing, as seen by the Roman Empire.
Also, the reason no one does anything with North Korea is because of China and their Russian allies. Doing anything against North Korea would easily provoke China. No one really wants a world war 3, except maybe George Soros and his gang of followers.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
North Korea has no interest in getting its country wiped off the map. If we hear about NK in the news it's just to get us distracted, like video games.
Besides all of that considering their 'successes' with ballistic missiles North Korea is as likely to nuke themselves as anyone else.
"I used to think the worst thing in life was to be all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." Robin Williams
Comments
They have a military/airforce/navy that is so big there is literally no nation, or even if every nation combined that could even have a fair fight with them. It's a thousand times larger than its closest super power.
Americas war machine spending and power is akin to making a terminator robot to kill a mouse in your basement. It's complete and utter overkill (and not for our benefit, it's the size it is to throw money at the military war machine companies that push money into the pockets of congressmen)
They have over 7 thousand nuclear weapons and allies from other nations that would fire theirs on anyone who made a first attack. They have also shown they have zero problems using a nuclear weapon.
Knowing all of that you're worried about a tin pot country like north korea, or even russia?
You have more to worry about from crab people.
The Wehrmacht at the start of WWII was essentially an exercise in contradiction - they had excellent training, what great equipment that they possessed was first-rate (though there wasn't a lot of it), and they could rely on one of the most advanced industrial bases in the world from which to wage their war. However, they were totally outnumbered in tanks, aircraft and manpower by the combined forces of Britain and France alone, and their navy was a pittance compared to what it should have been (plan Z would have readied, in theory, the Kriegsmarine for a full scale naval war by 1945/46) - the allies had every reason to believe that Hitler would lose, and lose dramatically.
The early war was won largely on the boldness of Erwin Rommel and Heinz Guderian, who both appreciated that modern tank warfare was evolving even as they fought in 1940; that gaps in an enemy line that never could have been exploited in 1918 (or even 1930) could be breached by a willful commander willing to take risks. Both these officers ignored repeated, direct orders for Berlin to halt, and were able to completely encircle most of the Northern French forces. Once the collapse began, it couldn't be reversed - even though the French strategic situation following the initial defeat wasn't hopeless, the French themselves were. The fall of France from that point on was inevitable.
Now, granted, the German military in 1939 was a power - and it possessed a complete freedom of action that the North Koreans lack. N.K. is isolated, starved, has isufficient resources, a paltry military-industrial base, and is almost wholy dependent on outside sources for equipment and materiel. They have an absolutely laughable air force, almost no navy to speak of, and, most importantly, even their ground forces probably can't be expected to wage war much outside a 100-mile starting point - they simply lack the logistical means to push an envelope any further than that.
So no, you are correct: comparisons with Nazi Germany are a complete joke. However, the Germans really couldn't be considered a 'military juggernaut' until 1941, and their window for it was pretty brief, as the invasion of Russia took its harsh toll.
North Korea are nothing like that, their tactics nor technology would surprise no-one outside of how archaic they truly are.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
You cannot let an insane person who lusts for death remain in office.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/north-korea-preparing-for-another-ballistic-missile-launch-sources-say/ar-AAjHi5e
Guess what happened? The barbarians revolted (and of course there were many other issues. Huge debts because of all the free hand outs, the corruption etc) and despite the size and strength of Rome...it fell. Their "own" army turned against them. No surprise there.
Just like what will happen AND is happening to the western world.
So the size of an army/military means nothing, as seen by the Roman Empire.
Also, the reason no one does anything with North Korea is because of China and their Russian allies. Doing anything against North Korea would easily provoke China. No one really wants a world war 3, except maybe George Soros and his gang of followers.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
But the acronym MMMORPG now currently means Microscopic Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Kappa.