DPRK was also trying to fight fire with fire in its case. DPRK tested scores of ballistic missiles (including an ICBM) and even exploded a hydrogen bomb which melted the mountain above.
Trump administration's response:-
1.
Crippling economic sanctions which affected DPRK's trade relations with every country including China and Russia.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-launches-n...eting-dozens-of-shipping-companies/a-42717612
https://www.dw.com/en/north-korea-un-security-council-approves-new-sanctions/a-40457355
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-to-stay-until-full-denuclearisation-says-us
USN and ROK Navy even inspect ships which are destined for North Korea.
2. A live demonstration of defenses against ICBM-class targets.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/26419...allistic-missile-target-flight-test-intercept
https://breakingdefense.com/tag/flight-test-ground-based-interceptor-ftg-15/
3. Major uplift in American defenses against North Korean ballistic missiles in South Korea by bringing in a THAAD battery. This development infuriated China though*.
https://m.dw.com/en/us-begins-deployment-of-controversial-korean-thaad-missile-system/a-38590287?xtref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
*
China is exerting pressure on North Korea to remove THAAD battery from its territory:
http://m.yna.co.kr/mob2/en/contents_en.jsp?cid=AEN20180803008900315&site=0200000000&mobile
4.
Preparations for WAR with DPRK.
[A] Deployment of a USN Strike Force near DPRK to simulate
CEC maneuvers:
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-3-aircraft-carriers-bombers-pacific-north-korea-2017-11
https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/3-u...th-korean-japanese-navies-in-western-pacific/
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/27/nor...riminal-moves-as-carriers-operate-nearby.html
- with new generation of weapons:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-...h-korean-missile-controls-say-experts-n825361
CEC refers to
Cooperative Engagement Capability. FYI:
https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2100&tid=325&ct=2
Ground forces being prepped for any eventuality:
https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/...a/news-story/f6e1714d1c58ff30f5ef43aed31a541e
https://www.vox.com/world/2018/1/16/16896680/north-korea-trump-war-japan-missile
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foal_Eagle
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...litary-remains-ready-korea-brooks/1060016002/
5. Naked threats of aggression to DPRK (of annihiliation):
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...reatens-totally-destroy-north-korea-un-speech
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So what exactly DPRK achieve with its 'aggressive posturing' by testing so many ballistic missiles and even nuclear weapons?
NOTHING
US clearly lived up to its threats and provided two options to DPRK: negotiate [or] face destruction.
Kim Jong-Un came to his senses actually, and wrote a letter to Donald Trump to commence "talks."
I am not asserting that Kim Jong-Un is afraid to call the shots but he is eventually responsible for the fate of his country. And he have had a clear taste of American resolve this time.
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My POV is simple: YOU do not threaten US of
consequences unless you have the power to act through it.
Pakistan doesn't.
Diplomatic engagements are the only way forward for both camps.
Reactionary politics will spark reactions accordingly, and PTI-led government have a lot on its plate already.
What I know - in person and through my studies - is that Americans are egotistical, dangerous and unpredictable.
Pakistani are expecting a
bright future; not eager to fight a war with an egotistical superpower. Yes, people have absolute right to bash Americans (they do at personal capacity; including my own family members) but make no mistake; majority understand that by confronting US - we hold at risk everything dear to us. That 'sound diplomacy' is the only way forward in this scenario.
I live in Pakistan, and I know better. PDF crowd have its share of keyboard warriors but they do not represent whole Pakistan, mind you.