Nunn Says 'America First' Approach To North Korean Threats Is Dangerous

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Ballistic missiles on display during a North Korean military parade. / Wikimedia Commons

As tensions escalate with North Korea, a leading nuclear weapons expert says an “America first” approach could put the U.S. and its allies in danger.

Sam Nunn is the co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a nonprofit that works to prevent the proliferation and use of nuclear weapons.

On GPB’s Political Rewind Wednesday, Nunn said the U.S. needs to make it clear to allies in east Asia that it cares about their safety.

“If we start splitting up that alliance based on the perception in South Korea and Japan that we’re not on the same wavelength in terms of protecting them, then it’s going to weaken the whole alliance and make war more likely,” he said.

Nunn is a former congressman from Georgia and served as chairperson of the Senate Armed Services committee during the final years of the Cold War.

He stressed North Korea is much more likely to strike South Korea or Japan than the United States and dismissed recent threats of an attack on Guam.

“I think the last think the North Koreans would do would launch an attack against the United States. I think if they were going to do that, they realize that would be the end not only of their regime but it would be the end of their country.”

Recent sanctions have prompted North Korean threats against the United States. On Tuesday, President Trump responded, saying he’d meet any attacks with “fire and fury.”

Trump also said the U.S. nuclear arsenal is stronger than ever, though that claim is in question.