[John Valentine]

I have to say that I find your response perplexing.

You seem to be saying that we must allow North Korea to develop nuclear weapons if we are to avoid a nuclear attack on Japan by North Korea.

Do I have that right?

[AntiGuv]

I am saying that if North Korea is hellbent on declaring itself a nuclear power, then it will happen. The sooner people come to terms with that, the happier they will be.

There will be no 'preemptive' strike, not least because we've already permitted the North Koreans to move the plutonium which we would've stricken...

There is no devious Bush 'strategery' afoot, because there are no meaningful options to work with. There will be a negotiated resolution of some sort or other, by whatever route the various parties figure out.

I'll be quite shocked with any other outcome..