Well, North Korea is lacking in the one thing that gains the attention of the Bush ADD-ministration:oil.
Notice how in bith cases (Iran and NoKo) self-defense is being framed as 'aggression towards he US'. If we hadn't been making all kinds of noises about attacking anyone we don't agree with as a solution to our differences, one might see the nuclear and missile fortification as aggressive towards the US, but, honestly, who can blame them considering not only our talk but our actions since the Kowboy Koward of Krawford and his posse took possession of the government?
I think both cases - North Korea and Iran - demonstrate very well that the style of "diplomacy" we are currently employing is a complete and utter failure. Have you listened to the sort of stuff that our envoy to the United Nations spews? John Bolton reminds me of a cartoon - he gets all red in the face, steam shoots out his ears and nose and mouth and his mustache waves around in the ensuing whirlwinds. That might not be all that fair, and it's probably not really constructive, but it's seriously what I think of every time I see the guy on TV.
Anyway... yeah, diplomacy just ain't somethin' we've got, it seems. We always rattle our saber, saying just how big of mistake the North Koreans would be making if they tested that missile, or just how sorry those Iranians are going to be should they continue to develop their nuclear program. Bolton, Bush, Cheney, and Condi all have very similar styles in these regards (though Bolton and Cheney are a cut above the rest, and Condi might be a little more conservative about that sort of stuff). They just make lots of threats, and never actually do anything worth a hillabeans, and then get upset when no one pays attention to them any more.
That said, I can't say that the UN is going to do much about that sort of thing, with both Russia and China in positions to nix any real action that other countries might propose - those who don't wish to see the North Koreans or Iranians with nuclear programs and long-range missiles.
So, you know, I'm not sure what the right course of action is in either case, but I'm fairly certain we're not taking it - I see no meaningful progress being made on either front, and see the rhetoric of our politicians alienating everyone but our closest allies.
Commenting by HaloScan
