Opinions supposed of this author look like a copy of propaganda emanating from the likes of the US State Department. For a start, accusing the Russians and North Koreans of the same sort of things the US and its puppets have been doing themselves for much longer. Response of Russia has overall been reserved considering need to protect its own national security against anti Russian puppet government in Ukraine installed by a US sponsored coup. Its military intervention in Ukraine has been essential for survival of the present Russian Federation and was certainly not an "unprovoked invasion" as claimed in endlessly repeated lies. Then note how Russians have been almost completely self sufficient at slowly driving back the Ukrainian military Which apparently was earlier the second largest in Europe after Turkey and has since received large supplies of weapons from most NATO countries plus a few others. Which try to claim they are not participants in this war despite this and also being exposed as having significant numbers of military personnel working with Ukrainian military. Now this author is carrying on effectively about how terrible it is with North Korea apparently supplying Russia with some ammo and other war materials. And specially that seems its troops could be sent into combat in Ukraine as apparently some are now training in the Russian Far East. Anyway, to avoid coming under domination by the US, North Korea has been forced to maintain a strong military. Also develop nuclear weapons as the US is far less inclined to bully countries with capacity to strongly fight back.

The only reason Kim Jong Un has nukes is to protect his dictatorship, and three million artillery rounds along with numerous missiles and thousands of troops is more than a bit of ammo. Putin believed that western disunity would allow him to take Ukraine by force. The involvement of North Korea will probably get Ukraine the approval to use long range weapons.

What a mess!

Fester: You have no Idea. North Koreans have maintained a fortress since the Korean War truce to keep would be Yank led invaders out. Look at the long US record of bullying small largely defenceless countries. However, has been proven that would be probably impossible to successfully invade North Korea and also would be early retaliation - now even possibly including nuclear if any attempt was made. Regarding Russian so called "invasion" of Ukraine, overall Russian responses have been reserved considering US led provocations aimed at crippling Russia and maintaining itself as sole world superpower. Then disregarding peace agreements and attempting to use force to entrench puppet government installed by US sponsored coup. Now looks like yet another war the US effectively started but will lose. Remember there is no way Russia will accept Ukraine joining NATO. Would amount to a nuclear checkmate if US could install missiles with nuclear warheads within very short flying time from Moscow. If looked like they may lose conventional war, would almost certainly resort to using nuclear weapons to stop this.

Shades of Genghis Khan !
Would think the Russians of all would be twitchy about that.

Hi Mox,

I thought the East vs West pissing contest was done and dusted a long time ago. Before the end of the GDR people used to argue about the purpose the wall and the Stasi. Fortunately the terror of the regime is now history, but many former citizens still endure a legacy of suffering from their torment.

No, the United States, democracy and capitalism are far from perfect and guilty of horrible things, but raising such faults makes authoritarian regimes no more enticing to me. I see things from a basis of human beings being equal, so when I see tragedies like North Korea, Russia, or China, I think of masses of people like you and me denied the freedoms and privileges that being an Australian entails. I am also aware that those freedoms and privileges were gained by the sacrifices of past generations.

We are very fortunate for our heritage.

Fester: An important point to remember is that some of the allegedly undemocratic practices in other countries according to US sources have been to try and stop US interests gaining control of resources and political processes. They use all sorts of devious tactics including covertly supporting opposition and terrorist groups. Especially with Non Government Organisations, which can sometimes arrange civil unrest and other problems. Look at all the countries where the US has pushed for "regime change". Sometimes successfully and sometimes not. Classic was managing to have democratically elected Iranian President Mossadegh replaced with US puppet the Shah in 1953. Iranians kicked him out in 1979. Remember an important reason for the Islamic Republic to be repressive in some respects is to restrict the ability of US to sponsor another coup. Also note recent hypocrisy of the US strongly objecting to former Soviet Union country of Georgia passing a law similar to its own Foreign Agents Registration Act. Which will curtail subversive activities on behalf of US interests. Especially by enforcing disclosure of sources of financial support from abroad.