NuKe (Is that too subtle. NK for North Korea, but made to spell nuke?)

So NK tested a nuke. Looks like it was probably a small one, but I think we can all agree they won't stay small (and that small's not neccessarily a failure, this type of nuke has to be small to fit on a war-head).

The question before the US is, "What now?"

Lot's of tough talk from W, but his proposals seem, well, weak. Here's what I've read so far. This,

The latest U.S. proposal, obtained by The Associated Press Wednesday night, dropped Japanese demands to prohibit North Koreans ships from entering any port, and North Korean aircraft from taking off or landing in any country. These sanctions would likely face strong Russian and Chinese opposition.

The resolution would still require countries to freeze all assets related to North Korea's weapons and missile programs. But a call to freeze assets from other illicit activities such as "counterfeiting, money-laundering or narcotics" was dropped. So was a call to prevent "any abuses of the international financial system" that could contribute to the transfer or development of banned weapons.

And,

a revised five-page text obtained by Reuters shows softer language on cargo inspections...Additionally, the resolution would impose a travel ban on people who support Pyongyang's weapons programs, Reuters reported.

Let's look at these ideas closer.

Freezing assests relating to the weapons and missle programs is good. But how do you identify those exact assets? Does Kim put, "From Nuclear transfer to Iran" in the memo section of the check he deposits? I also like that he's allowed to keep money form "other illicit activities." Now that sends a strong message about following the law. Plus, can't he just shift assets around? Seriously, this whole idea is rediculous. This is our plan? We'll go after him with accountants? Did whoever thought this up just watch the Untouchables? Is this what we're reduced to? Telling Kim he can keep making money by breaking the law but he can't use that money to break the law and develop nukes. Not only that, but we're not even "calling" on him to stop transferring or developing banned weaponry. I'm sorry, but you may as well just get rid of the pretence and welcome him into the nuclear family. This isn't a plan, it's a sham.

But it gets better. In the second part, we admit that we're certainally not calling on him to stop, and we let him know that we're also not going to inspect his cargo that close after-all. Wow, this will surely put an end to his nuclear desires. This administration loves to throw the word "appeasement" around, and this isn't?

The net result is that he's allowed to make money from illegal activity, develop banned weapons (but not use the illegal money to do that) and move things around without stringent oversight of cargo. But people who support NK's weapon's programs can't travel. Well, put a bow on this problem.

So let's look at where things are today. One, we're officially not safer than before 9/11. Anytime any politician makes that claim, you can remind them of a nuclear NK, which will soon have the ability to target the US, and also has a long history of selling weapons to people who don't like us. Bush's legacy will be his obsession with Iraq and a nuclear NK. Personally, I would prefer Hussein in power to a nuclear NK. The world just got a lot more dangerous. Here's why. Most of the nations in that area are techncially savvy enough to join the club in short fasion. A nuclear arms race in SE Asia is not a good development for world security.

However, the good news is that NK's actions will probably surround China, the most likey military challenger to US supreamacy, with nulcear powers. A nuclear Japan will act as a check on China's power and influence in the area. A nulcear S. Korea will act as a check against both China and NK.

Which is why I like giving Taiwan nukes. China will blow a gasket over this. The surest way to graduate from "runaway province under constant threat of re-aquisition" is to have a few nukes. Then you get "independent nation" status.

Which is why I don't understand China's play on this. Russia yes. They're acting by the book, anything other than what they're doing would be a weird. But China? They have to be aware of having their budding regional power dulled by a nuclear Japan (with the accompanying military build-up) and nuclear Seoul. They got their biggest benefit by having NK periodically spout off about nukes, but once it happened, their hand actually got weaker. Plus, they have to know that their ability to control Kim goes out the window when he has nukes. Not only does he not need China's protection, but what will happen next time they go to control him, or hold something back and he reminds them that he as nuclear missles pointed at Beijeing? Kims nukes can kill chinese just as easy as S. Koreans, Japanese or Americans. My bet is that China takes him out.

But until then, I think one way of getting China to step up is to embarrass them. US diplomats, such as they are, should be making comments like, "Kim clearly doesn't respect/fear/listen, etc to China." Or, "Kim's actions show how little influence China has over him, and demonstrates how far they have to go in diplomatic situations." Or, "NK's test was a humilitating act against China." Put the pressure on them.

Barring that, it makes more sense to hit NK now, before they have big bombs and big delivery systems.