We have walked very loudly but carried a puny stick (the opposite one must do in Asia and with the communists in particular).
The North Koreans know they have won "The Game".
They won "The Game" over the Clintonites.
They were on the ropes for a while with Bush, for four or five years.
But in the end, just as with the Clintonites, North Korea won over the Bush/Condi team as well. It is common knowledge here in Asia.
You are right. State Dept. is viewed nothing more than a yapping poodle.
When they rushed hither and yon to get North Koreas illegal funds from Macao, North Korea knew they had the US by the balls (through State), again, precisely from that moment.
I have this suspicion that the USA is willing to sacrifice all of Asia to the Chinese.