Thank you for taking the time to write what I consider an "intelligent" response.
To me this is the sort of "discussion" that grown ups have, not the cr&p I see in MSM.

The question I posed still remains.... "Who is running this show" ?
there are some VERY large forces at work ATM IMHO

I suspect trump is more than a pawn in the game, more like a bishop or castle or knight (ie limited movements avail) but he is not the "top dog" in this "game".

Sure the USA could turn NK into a swimming hole & make SK an island
"only" 25m NK people dead, fish that glow in the dark for 100 yrs etc etc.
But what is the real "outcome"?

Who "wins"? esp given NK is considered "just a threat" ie they haven't bombed anyone just yet AFAIK.

As far as the "defense" systems stuff goes, we know who makes the money, but what happens if a Cruise missile with a nuke head, gets blown out of the sky mid flight anyway? It's raining ?????? ummm glow in dark rain perhaps??

To me it's all about Petro dollars, global standard currencies etc.

• Saudis are talking to russia this week
• Russia is creating a state crypto announced this week
• china is back flipping on crypto this week
• iran is creating a state crypto announced this week

so, pass the popcorn please :-)