Confirmation today that one of the world's most dangerous rogue states has joined the nuclear club. Despite depending on world aid several times in the last decade to save its people from starvation, North Korea has found the resources to develop a nuclear capability. Unfortunately it also shows the inability of the international community to control nuclear ambitions of sovereign states. Do we really expect to succeed in Iran where we have failed in North Korea? Is it a realistic expecation that further tightening the sanctions against this rouge state won't see their new found nuclear capability on the market for other states and even non-state actors?
Today's development delivers a raft of questions - questions that have seen markets tumble in both Japan and South Korea. For the first time, a true rogue state has attained nuclear capability. North Korea is ruled by a regime that is happy to put its own interests above the lives and welfare of their own people - the road to nuclear capability was carved on the backs of millions that died of starvation and disease. These commoners paid the ultimate price for Kim Jong Il's nuclear ambitions.
We will soon see a international strategic situation where 'Pax Americana' is no more. The days are numbered where powerful nations can influence middle and small powers without fear of ramification. Middle and small powers who are nuclear capable will command a disproportionate influence, one that will encourage many other nations to also pursue this freedom of action in the form of nuclear capability.
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