Well, the world's weak response to Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory after Ukraine gave up its nukes voluntarily is a lesson in trusting paper agreements, you must admit.
Note also this comment:
Comparing the situation the U.S. face with North Korea to Iran, [Admiral] Bird said Iran would be “more aggressive” if it acquires nuclear weapons. He argued that Iran poses a greater threat to the U.S. than North Korea.
This is why I've said I'd be willing to deter a nuclear North Korea if it was just a bilateral issue, rather than risk the potential for escalation by resorting to force. North Korea may be wrong about anyone wanting to take over the Hell-on-Earth that the country is, but I don't doubt they are sincere in just wanting to survive.
Although there is the issue of whether one day North Korea might consider the very existence of a prosperous South Korea that North Koreans can see a threat to even a nuclear-armed North Korea.
But the more immediate threat of North Korea selling nuclear technology or even weapons to Iran makes it too dangerous to accept North Korea as a nuclear power.
I swear I never believed America would cut a deal with Iran that accepts their nuclear path the way the Obama/Kerry Iran deal did. But then I never believed our Congress would go along with the president's awful deal by surrendering Senate approval powers for what is clearly a treaty.
Take down the mullah regime in Iran and this North Korea problem would be mostly solved.
Actually, taking down the mullah regime in Iran would make a lot of problems in the greater Middle East region easier to deal with.
UPDATE: No. Way!
Two North Korean shipments to a Syrian government agency responsible for the country’s chemical weapons program were intercepted in the past six months, according to a confidential United Nations report on North Korea sanctions violations.
Sure, the North Koreans are willing to supply Syria--Iran's near-colony--with chemical weapons capability.
But North Korea would never supply Iran itself with nuclear weapons capacity, either directly or through Syria. Right?
Because we all know North Korea's rulers have their limits, right?
UPDATE: Another reason to blockade North Korea, no?
