I agree that the President of the United States has many powerful options at his disposal, but there's no doubt that an energetic geopolitical strategy requires that an indomitable military be one of them. Our forces are stretched too thin for the task at hand, and have been overextended irregardless of whatever additional tasks they may need undertake on short notice.
I don't think we are genuinely capable for a two-theater operation right now (say, Iran and North Korea) and I think we should be. That's my basic point and if we want to legitimately export freedom throughout the world - a mission I have no problem supporting - then that needs to change as swiftly as possible. Then the only thing we'll have to fear is fear itself! ;)
North Korea has raised the bar so high that anything having to do with them runs the risk of nuclear warfare. We have plenty.