NO WAR WITH NORTH KOREA.

Firstly, not one word of this should suggest I support any of what North Korea's government is doing. The evils of nuclear warfare speak for themselves, and Kim Jong-un is unmistakably a chip off the old block. Nonetheless, Donald Trump's threats to him, and Malcolm Turnbull's pledge of support for those this week, will, I believe, just rub salt in the wound. Maybe a whole bottle of salt. Kim Jong-un is evidently out to provoke the West, and while we may have historical blood on our hands to explain that (but not necessary to excuse it), by responding, and especially in such terms, we are giving him just what he wants. And in the process, falling to his level.

Trump's threats to Jong-un are dangerous enough, and now Turnbull has stood by them through invoking the ANZUS Alliance. That may have helped us inexorably during World War II, but since then I believe it has caused Australia as much harm as good. Consider both Bali bombings, the 2005 Cronulla riots, the Sydney Lindt Cafe siege, and the ongoing debate over Australia having systemic racism, to name but a few. All a direct result of successive Australian governments – Labor AND Liberal - proudly following America's lead into foreign conflicts where the natives may not have even WANTED ANY foreign aid to start with.

I'm not saying we should turn a blind eye to North Korea's actions. None of us should. I just cannot shake the belief that intervening with force never helps, culturally, morally or ethically. Offering or giving aid through diplomatic or entrepreneurial means, however, is honourable, and sometimes even successful. Whatever happened to that?