The Political Interest Playing Nuclear Poker

Does North Korea have the bomb, and if it does, what should be done about it? Kim Il Sung offered an essentially hollow capitulation last week, a promise to permit inspections of all but the key nuclear sites, which could settle the matter. So the world -- and Bill Clinton -- will be left to ponder those questions, perhaps indefinitely. What to do?

First, assume North Korea already has two crude nuclear devices, as those who are paid to know such things assume.

Second, understand the key players' views and motivations. South Korea, the presumptive first target of any attack from...

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