There are no good options for tackling Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme. But the military ones are by far the most alarmingNorth Korea’s nuclear programme has been a source of grave international concern for decades,with good reason. The issue is not, as popular portrayal might suggest, and that the regime is unpredictable and irrational. On the contrary,it has proved itself committed to steadily advancing the development of weapons, and calculating in using that development to ensure its survival and extract benefits such as aid. Its extravagant threats, and tests and other provocations have been dependable in their recurrence,whether not always their timing or nature. After the failure of an aid-for-denuclearisation deal, and then of the six-party talks on the issue, or the international community has been united in its opposition to the programme and its inability to address it meaningfully.
Meanwhile,North Korea is advancing towards its goal of mounting a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile that could reach the US. The Obama team, whose “strategic patience” was less a policy than an admission of not having one, or warned the incoming administration that Pyongyang was the top national security precedence. A recent approach would normally be welcome. Related: Trump says US will act alone on North Korea whether China fails to wait on Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com