The October Non-Surprise

Kim Il Jong's reactionary state set off a tactical sized nuclear device yesterday in a successful underground test. What the security moms need to know is that North Korea is not close to developing a nuke that is small enough and light enough to be carried intercontinental distance atop their current missiles. Not only that, we have Aegis equipped warships off the North Korean coast that would be able to destroy a missile leaving a launch pad. So unless they are planning to deliver one to Long Beach in a tramp freighter marked "From Kim with Love" relax. Their nuclear development is more of problem for neighbors South Korean and Japan.
But what the test does demonstrate, is the total failure of the Bush Regime's get tough policy with potential enemies. Exporting 'democracy' by force does not work, and simply alienates non-capitalist societies already suspicious of America's imperial tendencies. Its an incredible fact that the Korean War was never formally ended with a peace treaty. Only the shooting has stopped. The armistice is a fragile thing and armies on both sides of the parallel are hunkered down and ready to go on minutes notice. Fifty three years later, its time for a US administration to take the initiative and engage North Korea and China in peace and mutual non-aggression treaty negotiations. There is a window of opportunity now open that may close if North Koreans think they can bully themselves out of the economic pit they are in. Just one more reason to send THE DECIDER back to Crawford. He is a lot better at clearing brush than negotiating when the stakes are high.