(apologies in advance for no links - I read some stuff recently that got me thinking but I didn't record the links)

A recent article proposed two scenarios for the current situation involving North Korea's nuclear program and the Bush admin's reaction to it:

1. Bush et al are idiots and are ignoring a clear and present danger.

2. Bush et al are geniuses and are simply refusing to play into NK's strategy of escalating, elusive negotiation.

I'd like to put forward a third possiblity (not my own idea, but one that makes some sense):

3. Bush et al are high-stakes gamblers, and are betting that a) the threat of NK having both nuclear weapons and long range missiles will give them the necessary justification/support to go full bore on the anti-missile defense system and that b) said system can be developed and successfully implemented before NK can perfect their bombs and delivery system.