NEOAVATARA

By Michael Ramirez

My overview of North Korea can be seen here.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/26/carroll.korea.nuclear/index.html

North Korea is testing again…this time, it is testing the strength and will of U.S. President Barack Obama.

North Korea detonated its second nuclear weapon this weekend, in total defiance of the United States and the world community.  The North had threatened to do so unless the U.N. Security Council apologized for imposing sanctions on it following a rocket test on April 5.

This test was much larger than the prior test in 2006.  It was estimated at approximately 10-20 kilotons; that is on par with Hiroshima.  The 2006 test, which was deemed a partial failure by western scientists, was less than 1 kiloton.  The test was felt in China, where it shook the ground, and was felt as far away as Russia.  What this says is that North Korea has now perfected their technology, and likely is well on their way to full nuclear missile implementation.  Again, more good news.

The White House — which less than three weeks ago announced a new diplomatic effort to restart stalled talks with North Korea about its nuclear program — said the test was in “blatant defiance” of the Security Council.  “North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community,” the White House said. “The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants action by the international community.”  Obama himself said the matter was of ‘grave concern’.

Yeah, that kind of statement will really scare North Korea.

The reality is that a carrot-and-stick approach is needed with rogue nations like North Korea.  Mr. Obama, and the world community for that matter, are only providing carrots.  Just a month ago, North Korea fired off a ICBM, against UN resolutions.  What was the punishment, one may ask?  A stern lecture from the UN Security Council.  China and Russia could not even agree on any serious sanctions, although they implemented some for show.

Additionally, Obama not only did not restrict North Korean power…he has actually expanded it.  By virtually ending the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, or Star Wars), North Korea now is on the verge of be nuclear capable…and able to hit the United States.  Their partially successful ICBM launch in early April means that within 2 years, they most likely would be able to hit, say, Los Angeles.  Yet the President doesn’t think the missile defense program is worthy.  Where is the logic in that?   (My full views on SDI can be seen here)

Frankly, the Obama Administration has nowhere to go now in its policy toward the communist state.  Exactly what do you do, when you said the Bush Administration policy had failed?  And that the only way forward was one-to-one negotiations, which thus far have elicited even more bad behavior?  Additionally, Obama not only insulted countries like North Korea and Iran when he said they were not threat because they were tiny in relation to the old Soviet Union; at the same time, he decreased his own political capital at home in challenging the threat if the need ever arises.

I will predict right now, you will see more rogue nations act up as time goes on.  Iran and North Korea are just the start.  Barack Obama has given them absolutely no reason to fear any retributions; and like little brats, they will push their luck to the breaking point, just to see where the limits are, if there are any limits at all.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/25/nkorea.nuclear.test.outrage/index.html

UPDATE:  The Security Council passed a stongly worded statement condemning the nuclear bomb explosion in North Korea.    Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, the current council president, made clear in a statement that the condemnation was only an initial response, and that more will follow. He said it was too early to give any specifics.  “The members of the Security Council have decided to start work immediately on a Security Council resolution on this matter,” he said.

This is all meaningless.  Unless China is willing to impose harsh restrictions on the North Koreans, then all of this will only be talk…and again, I will only believe that when I see it.

UPDATE #2: Well, didn’t take long for Kim Jong-Il to prove my p0int…as he has spent the last few days sending mid range rocket after rocket into the ocean, just to annoy the western world that much more.  I guess Obama and the UN’s ‘tough talk’ ain’t working…