Sferrin, separate rules apply to those with and without nuclear muscle (doesnt matter if this muscle is homegrown or donated by the US’s largest asian trading partner).

US cannot touch NoKo and Pak. it is trying to ‘control’ Pak thru bribes. NoKo is also surely being offered inducements to control its behaviour.

Given the dismal success of such a strategy in the past, I am none too hopeful. also hope you noticed Soko is drifting away from the US orbit into the Chinese one. ethnically and culturally they are closest to the northern chinese also. Soko people really want to help NoKo economically – I dont think a food freeze and mass starvation in NokO has any takers in Seoul.

US can definately touch these countries , however is that the most productive way out?? It isnt about touching someone just cuz you want to flex your muscle it is about trying to get things done !! Just like any other logical country would approach . The chinese have a choice to either act unilaterally with noko or join the world and so far they have made most descisions in their interest and to that of the ROW. Ofcourse china doesnt want noko ‘s regime to fail however they still dont want it to have Nuclear armed missiles (it would simply destablize the region) . Soko’s ambasador was on TV here saying that if they test the missiles sanctions would be looked at very seriously. As far as US/UN sanctions are concerned I really dont see what more can they do , it really bothers me myself greatly to see millions of noko’s not getting enough food , clean water just cuz they have a nut as president. As far as the US DOD and the white house is concerned they were allready saying that the US media has blown it out of proportion and that its just an attempt by the noko’s to get attention to themselves amidst the iran controversies.