Realistically, I'd think North Korea is now as untouchable as Iran. And, I'd think that North Korea is more likely than anyone to sell a nuke, free market and all that. And they have and sell rockets. They are the total package, and not nice people besides.

But the US won't threaten invasion, even though North Korea has had the material for the bombs for at least 8 years. Oh, there'll be the usual posturing, tough talk, moaning and groaning, but nothing will be done which will amount to anything.

Didn't hurt Daddy's ego, don't have oil, and can defend themselves. No fun there. None of the real motives.

It does pose an interesting problem, I'd think, for the Middle East. What would happen to US foreign policy as dictated by the Israelis if there were a realistic nuclear threat to Israel? Would the US-Israel axis become more tractable as it became clearer there could be serious consequences for some of the more adventurous behavior?

Don't know.

Arf