Opinion: Kim Jong Un is not crazy
By Stephan Haggard, Special to CNN
Editor's note: Stephan Haggard is professor at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies at the University of California, San Diego. He is the co-author of "Famine in North Korea" (2008) and "Witness to Transformation: Refugee Insights into North Korea" (2011) and co-editor with Marcus Noland of a blog about North Korea.
(CNN) - March brought us a series of what pundits like to call "provocations" by North Korea. On closer inspection, Pyongyang has opted for rhetoric over actual military actions.
While Kim Jong Un's pursuit of nuclear and missile capability remains worrisome, escalating signals of resolve could suggest nervousness as much as strength.
So, is the regime in trouble?
Read the full take on CNN's OPINION page.
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
Take a good look at the face of this Kim Jong Un and see the sullen cruel blank expression, and then take a look at the face of Nero or Caligula, Roman Emperors who were singularly cruel and stubborn. This man is insane and will lead his nation ot ruin beyond imagination. Best thing to happen to him is a drone strike and save everyone a lot of trouble. Failure to eliminate this individual will proximally lead to his ordering the use of his bomb(s).
@Chester–I wasn't aware that any photos of Nero or Caligula existed, or did you teleport back in time to their local watering holes for confirmation? Do you have some plutonium I can borrow for my teleporter? I'm almost out.
Even if he is not crazy he dang sure is very stupid
I know it may sound pitiful, but I REALLY believe, when folks feel they have no way out–they begin to self
destruct. This is not something to gleefully ponder–but with sober reflection realize this means this
type usually wants to take as many people as possible with that destruction. There is HOPE–because
I believe this is also a CRY for help–but WHO is the person who can offer diplomacy at a time like this
DIPLOMACY is what we should be trying to do–. I don't mean appeasing a bully– I mean humanly
approaching this situation with the right person who can speak to this young leader who has "nothing
to lose" at this point. Many people are in danger–including the U.S and I think stepping away from
attacking back with belligerance– is the right move.