[njarboe]

Maybe the world should support any country with nuclear weapons in their efforts to build domestic ICBMs. If a nuclear power attacks a country, having it arrive on the tip of an ICBM leaves no doubt where it came from and who is responsible. Using a submarine, shielded shipping container, 4x4 across the Mexican border, etc. to plant and explode a nuclear weapon in the USA or other country would cause much greater long term harm to global political and social systems.

On the other hand, one does not want North Korea armed with hundreds of atomic weapons and the ability to end civilization single-handedly. How about this as an opening offer to North Korea? We will accept you with 10 warheads and end the embargo. You allow full inspections of any location at any time, so the number of warheads can be verified. Seems like new approaches to the North Korea problem are needed as they now have detonated a ~100kT device.

[phkahler]

Your response to NK is IMHO exactly what NK wants. They think that having nuclear weapons will get them a seat at the table. Which table I'm not sure. What they want from that point I suspect is more than just elimination of sanctions.

[timthelion]

Would it be so terrible to end sactions against North Korea? Trade should rise the middle class North Koreans up, and the last thing a wealthy middle class wants is war. A well fed and housed middle class seems the best insurance against war possible.