China holds most of NKs cards, but has a strategic interest in keeping it alive - I agree they waited too long to yank the leash tighter, but maybe they had their reasons for letting it play out - making SK, Japan and especially the US nervous? Would a fearful US make for a more malleable trading partner or less formidable enemy?

But I think the fizzle theory has merit too - if you spend a lot of your money on flashy parades, flashy cars, booze and movies, there's not enough left for a proper nuclear program, and good nukes aren't simple.

Hopefully the "apology" isn't some crackpot ploy of Kim's... "I'm so sorry!" WHACK "Gotcha!" I don't think so, and even if it was I don't think he could pull it off, but you never know what that guy might try.