Stephen Lendman

Earlier ones on both countries achieved nothing. They’re hostile measures in lieu of responsibly engaging all countries diplomatically - an option Washington opposes in dealing with independent governments, ones it doesn’t control.

America has been hostile toward North Korea since post-WWII partitioning in 1945, Truman’s aggression the clearest example, followed by isolation from the West and multiple rounds of sanctions.

On Friday, Security Council members imposed new sanctions on Pyongyang, retaliating against its ballistic missile tests - development of these (and nuclear) weapons solely for defense, not offense, deterrents against possible US aggression.

Another 14 DPRK officials were targeted, prohibiting them, along with others blacklisted earlier, from traveling to UN member states.

Koryo Bank, Kangbong Trading Corp, and two other North Korean companies no longer may have dealings with UN member state entities.

US neocon UN envoy Nikki Haley lied, claiming “North Korea’s provocative and illegal missile launches are a direct threat to the security of numerous countries, including my own.”

False! Throughout its history, the DPRK never attacked another country. America and its rogue allies do it all the time, threatening world peace, stability and security.

Days earlier, former Chinese foreign minister, current state councilor, Yang Jiechi said Beijing’s position on Pyongyang “is clear and…consistent. We insist on a political resolution through peaceful means.”

China’s UN envoy Liu Jieyi urged returning to six-party talks, abandoned by the DPRK in 2009 because Washington proved itself untrustworthy - compounded by decades of embargoes, economic warfare, and other attempts to isolate the country.

An uneasy armistice persists since Truman’s war ended, a conflict turning much of the country to rubble, killing millions, a lesson Pyongyang won’t ever forget or forgive, nor should it.

Following Friday’s Security Council action, Haley warned US military action remains an option, saying:

“Beyond diplomatic and financial consequences, the United States remains prepared to counteract North Korean aggression through other means if necessary.”

“The United States is fully committed to defending ourselves and our allies against North Korean aggression.”

No DPRK “aggression” exists now, earlier or likely ahead. America’s hegemonic agenda is the problem, not North Korea’s government or actions.

Separately, Washington unilaterally and illegally imposed more sanctions on Russia - targeting three of its companies for allegedly aiding Pyongyang’s weapons programs.

Their US assets, if any, are being frozen, a travel ban imposed on their officials. US companies and individuals are prohibited from conducting any dealings with them.

Russia’s deputy UN envoy Vladimir Safronkov angrily demanded an explanation from Washington, saying:

“We would like to hear the US side’s explanation regarding the June 1 expansion of the US sanctions on North Korea, that affected three Russian companies and one citizen of our country.”

“This move raises eyebrows and causes deep regret. We have repeatedly stated that the mechanism of unilateral restrictions is illegal from the point of view of the international law.”

On Friday, at the Singapore Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference, neocon Defense Secretary James (“Mad Dog”) Mattis lied, calling the DPRK a “clear and present danger” to US interests, its “regional allies, partners and all the world.”

US-dominated NATO, allied with Israel and other rogue states, alone pose an unacceptable threat to humanity.

Reckless US Korean peninsula brinkmanship risks possible nuclear war. Trump’s rage for warmaking could launch the unthinkable.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at http://www.sjlendman.blogspot.com.