The world awaits a solution to the stand-off over the nuclear missile threat posed by the president of North Korea, Kim Jong-un. His chief opponent is Donald Trump, the newly elected president of the USA. Over the time since his ascension to the top job the North Korean has put the Americans on notice that he will build an inter-continental-ballistic-missile capable of reaching America. It appears that he has achieved that goal.

The question is what will Trump do about it? The crisis has escalated over the last few days because of the anti-American rhetoric and provocation by his foe who is taunting him into making a move by his actions.

The next question is what will the other nations within range also do? The latest test proves that Kim has a capability of reaching as far as Australia and all the nations in a circle of that distance around him. Those most nervous include Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and even India.

Globally there is a nervousness that will never subside until something major happens. For some 67 years the threat of retaliation by the North against the South and its allies has existed. On 25th June, 1950, an army of 75,000 poured across the 38th parallel and within a week had control of Seoul.

The trigger for the invasion happened, apparently, at the end of World War II when the allies were given control over the peninsula after 35 years of Japanese occupation. It happened that the Soviet Union and the USA were given joint partnership of its administration.

The Communist regime of the USSR fostered the rise of Kim il-Sun in the north to head a communist government. The USA supported Syngman Rhee and a provisional government in the south. The result was catastrophic as the two opposites and their hostile armies faced each other across the 38th parallel.

It was also going to lead to the war and the inclusion of 21 nations who rose to the defence of South Korea. They provided military equipment, armies, and all the necessary side-lines to the defence of South Korea.

By November the Chinese had entered the war on the side of North Korea and therein lies a different tale to what the West expects today. Both China and North Korea have communist led philosophies of rule. It is hard to imagine that one will side against the other. Putin, on the other hand, who inherited the greatly diminished Soviet Union, is openly favouring the dictators who are opposing the USA and the West.

Given Russia’s support of North Korea in the past and the connection between the leaders, Putin and Xi Jinping, one must wonder if the old war is about to begin again. The Chinese President has made frequent trips to Russia and vice-versa in recent months. The last just a few days ago.

Something is cooking and something big will result. What that will be is anyone’s guess but Russia is expanding its forces into the Pacific region. One of its war-ships was spotted off the Australian Coast a couple of weeks ago, although in International waters.

China has made huge inroads into Australia over the last few years and even has a lease on the Port of Darwin. Its people have bought up land and homes here and its investment is a worry for many Australians who see it as a threat to our security. We are not safe and no matter whether the USA invades the North Korean region or not there is something going on that the world holds its breath to discover what it is.

An invasion of that type would be ugly, devastating, and lead directly to a major war between the most powerful nations. The question is are we prepared for it as there may be no winners and nothing good achieved?