On Sunday, Jan. 14, Hawaii’s emergency management office sent out a false alert, warning residents of an incoming ballistic missile strike. The miscommunication ultimately came down to a single employee mistakenly pressing the wrong button.
Nuclear experts have highlighted the event, warning that mistakes of this nature could potentially lead to an unintended war with North Korea.
“The thing experts all agree on is that North Korea’s regime survival is [its] ultimate goal, so we [will] end up at worth with North Korea only if there is a miscommunication, or if the U.S. initiates it,” said Liam Anderson, professor of political science at Wright State University.
Recently there has been consideration from the Trump administration to conduct a restrained, preemptive strike on North Korea, described as a ‘bloody nose’ attack. This type of action would likely be in response to provocation in the hopes of deterring future action, stated Anderson.
This incident comes shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scheduled a January 16 briefing, outlining preparations for nuclear war. Likelihood of survivability depends on your location relative to the point of detonation, according to Anderson.
“In general, if you are anywhere near the detonation, you are dead whatever you do,” said Anderson. “The government issues preparations for nuclear war, not because there is anything you can really do to help you survive, but just to make people think there is.”
Hawaiian Representative Tulsi Gabbard has called for President Trump to meet directly with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In the past, Trump has dismissed attempts by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to start talks with North Korea, but recently stated that he might be willing to do so at an appropriate time, according to a CNN report.
Given that North Korea has already displayed the potential of its missile program and is currently engaged in diplomatic discussions with South Korea, missile testing can be expected to decrease – for that reason, now would be a good time to initiate talks with North Korea, according to Anderson.
