Much ado about North Korea

It's been several days since the North Korean’s launched missiles toward Japan and apparently even Hawaii. So naturally since I've been in the military, people ask my reaction. Well, I don't have a strong reaction here. Having nukes brings a sense of legitimacy to your regime in the world order and they are the great equalizer in world politics (see India and Pakistan) or should I say great neuter-izer. Few options are available here with the exceptions of sanctions. Sanctions will accomplish little because there is little left to sanction. The DPRK's economy is so bad that they have resorted to some drastic measures. Stealing trains now, how can you sanction something like that?

A friend of mine asked me, "since we can bomb the shit out of them why do they even do this?". Good question. An incentive package was offered to Iran recently with the expectation that they end their nuclear armament program. North Korea is trying, desperately, to have something similar handed to them . Kim Jong ll's actions make little sense to many but his intention is clear. He wants to become a major military power in the Asian community. He wants legitimacy in the world order and has seen India, Pakistan and others accomplish that by going nuclear.

So what can we do? We can continue to work with our partners in the region (Russia, China, Japan, South Korea) and report North Korea to the Security Council and send Mr. Kim Jong ll a very nasty letter from the United Nations. Maybe Hanz Bwix could deliver it person.

Austin Bay has more about North Korea's negotiation strategy.