Yes, that's the risk. When you back a paranoid into a corner and threaten him, it's likely he gets unpredictably violent. If you're going to do that, you'd best be prepared to put him in restraints.
In the Psych Ward, this is done by assembling a group of large male staff members, who go into the "out of control" patient's room, surround him, and stare him down. It's often not necessary to say anything, or touch the patient at all. This often works, and the patient then submits to meds and/or restraints, and the crisis passes.
Unfortunately, we have no ability to bring that kind of pressure to bear on N. Korea. If they call our bluff and keep escalating, we (our allies, more likely) are facing immense damage. |
