Swarz,

You're right, if one assumes that the goal of N Korea is development of ICBM with which to threaten the USA and/or our allies. If that is the case, then the earlier the USA nails'em the better.

But is the nuke a credible threat, given our capabilitites?

I think this is why the USA & Australia are pursuing the missle defense system so aggressively. Defense against an assault from the former USSR was not teneble (though made great political theatre for Reagan). However, defense against a single, small country will limited capabilities is reasonable. If they pursue an aggressive nuclear armament program to overwhelm defenses, well we can go that route. Recall what happened to the USSR when they tried that vs the west.

In short, it looks to me like the strategy is containment of N Korea (as has been the case since 1952).

If they had any significant influence on strategic resources, we would undoubtedly visit a hell upon them as he did upon Iraq.

The take-home message is that you can be a wacky dictator and oppress your people for generations--just don't screw with us or our friends, or our strategic resources.

I can live with that.

B