Amidst outside speculation that Pyongyang may soon carry out a provocation, North Korea sent propaganda leafletsto the South Korean island of Baengnyeong on Monday, threatening to attack the island. Through its military, North Korea has a very real ability to inflict damage upon Baengnyeong Island, much as it did to Yeonpyeong Island in November of 2010. However, having learned lessons from the 2010 attack, the South Korean government and military are more prepared than they once were.  The increased readiness of the Republic of Korea military could deter the North but it also raises the potential for escalation if