It seems to me that they are attempting to use their nuclear capability as a bargaining chip, more than any thing else. There was a period of sabre-rattling that had me concerned, especially when Bush was making comments to the effect that we could fight a war on two fronts. Since that's calmed down somewhat, I think there's something that N. Korea wants from us, and they are going to use the nuclear program to get it. I don't know if it's money, trade sanctions or what, exactly, but I expect we'll find out shortly.

One of the more important yet scary events of 2003. Added to this the breakdown of international discussions and the fact that Bush has just recently placed the majority of the US Marine Corp on high alert if North Korea makes an action. But hell, the only states that North Korea can strike with their long-range missles are states that didn't support Bush in the 2004 election, so I am sure that will help his brother make the decision to invade North Korea a lot easier in 2010.

Seems to have watered down in terms of being a serious international threat, at least temporarily so. Still, it would be smart policy to keep close watch on these guys. We should continue to maintain a strong troop presence in South Korea, rather than deploying them to Iraq.

Perhaps this deserved to receive more of the world's focus in relation to Iraq in 2003. However, the process of bombing and rebuilding Iraq limited our ability to take an aggressive stance against a more serious type of weapons proliferation, which North Korea tried to exploit. The North Korean example shows that sometimes the most intelligent means to address an escalating international threat does not involve putting thousands of soldiers in harm's way or have to involve public war drum banging designed to appeal to xenophobic voters.

I've been saying it for a long time. North Korea needs to be watched very closely and taken very seriously. I believe most people have reconciled themselves with the idea that North Korea is full of crap and won't attack anybody and this may be true. Nonetheless, with nuke production increasing over there, giving them the cold shoulder may be a mistake.