In case you have not heard, North Korea has successfully detonated a nuclear device in an underground mine. I’d expect a lot of conversation as to whether or not the DPNK has the ability to deliver such a weapon, but now we have a whole new ball of wax.
A nuclear North Korea poses problems not just in the short term, but in the long run as well. Like dominoes, a nuclear North Korea instigates a debate within the Japanese public about their pacifist constitution, which in turn instigates long-held anti-Japanese feelings in East Asia, which spurs more antagonism between capitalist Japan and Communist China, which threatens the entire Taiwanese situation…
Unlike Iraq, America is not the only one who can deal with the situation in North Korea. China has a decision to make as well.
Scary stuff.