Looming crisis in the Korean Peninsula

North Korea defies the world, Iran keeping a close watch.


North Korea continues to defy the world by detonating a rather large Nuclear device and continuing to test ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear payloads. Other than some harsh rhetoric by Western leaders it is mostly unclear what is to happen now. Many expected a severe foreign policy test for President Obama in his first year. It looks like the test has arrived.

Obama has a few options to choose from. One option could be to completely isolate the North with a complete embargo and possible confiscation of its assets outside of Korea. That option would probably cause massive starvation for millions in the North and not undermine the regime to much.
Another option is a full military blockade of the North by Nato forces. This option is also problematic as this blockade is a clear act of war that would give the north a excuse to start another Korean War. A last option of course is to do nothing at all with all of its repercussions.

Iran is looking very carefully as to how the West will react to this latest outrage by North Korea. It is hoping that there will be major saber rattling and very little in terms of substance. They see the confrontation between the west and North Korea as a test case for themselves. .

President Obama is unlikely to do anything that might antagonize the north and cause a rekindling of the Korean War. The nuclear capability of the North certainly limits what steps can be taken by the west. Iran is betting that little will be done to confront North Korea in this new cold war crisis. It expects the same will happen if they manage to attain nuclear capability. The policy of the United States is to stop Irans quest for a bomb at all cost. The way this crisis is managed will go long way in showing Iran what the west has in store for it.

Did I mention Israel in all this?