Our Foreign Policy elite have bought the communist lie that China doesn’t control NK.
It’s total BS.
They are a proxy for China to lash out at the West and the US.
In attrition warfare, using maneuver warfare operational art, target lists are matched to weapon and ammunition logistical flows.
China comes out well in this situation.
If NK attempts nuclear suicide by cop, the US will expend much of its available strategic arsenal, leaving China as the strong hand in a military power vacuum in the western Pacific over the next 3 years as well as our economic debt in their balance.
Note the North Korean Zimmerman Letter, to a region now becoming more heavily influenced and logistically controlled by China. More evidence this is being structured to promote strategic Chinese interests.
If the US vacates, NK becomes more dominant without firing a shot to all asymmetric warfare players.
Not to worry. If Obama is perceived as weak, 10-15 more little dictators will spring up around the globe seizing windows of opportunity in the next 3 years.