As tensions between the US, China, and North Korea continue to build over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, George Friedman, well known intelligence analyst, forecaster, author, and founder of Stratfor and more recently Geopolitical Futures sat down with Risk Hedge to discuss the state of affairs.
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In the interview, George Friedman issues a stark warning that we are approaching the ‘witching hour’ with North Korea:
Friedman: “We’re at a crucial point. Which is, having a nuclear program is not a threat to us. Having nuclear weapons is a threat that has to be dealt with. They are approaching the broader line between having just a nuclear program that they are fooling around with, to something that could become a nuclear weapon. Our read on the situation is that the North Koreans really are not interested in having nuclear weapons. It doesn’t do anything for them because the first time they use one everybody is killed and they are not crazy, even if they want to behave that way…”
“…At what point do we have to act, because any action we take is very likely going to require at least small nuclear weapons. They have buried their facilities way underground. They have had decades of experiences hardening these. It is not clear that a tactical military strike of the normal sort will take them out. So the President and everyone else is saying are they actual crazy enough to go across the line, which I don’t think they are, but they are also saying can we take a chance…?”
“We’re approaching the witching hour where the President of the United States has to make a decision and that decision is only the President of the United State’s.”
There is much more to the interview including Mr. Friedman’s perspective on China’s role in the dispute, so enjoy it below:
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