North Korea better watch out.  Obama is going to sit down and write a strongly worded letter.  That will teach them!

Ahmadinejad was paying close attention. I don't think he got the right "take home" from it. That missile should have been smashed on the ground, and never been given the chance to be launched.

I think that Obama is so "obligated" to talk first, he's forgotten that some things just aren't open to discussion and that this multifaceted ploy by N. Korea/Russia/China should have been met by the hammer, not the feather.

Oh yes, Israel was watching too. They now know what a strong ally they have. And they know what to do and how to do it.

It's sad that UN resolutions are not worth the paper they are written on. Aren't these supposed to be the will of the (majority) of the worlds people? Yet few care. Anyone that remotely believes that North Korea has gained a new found interest in space (for other than military purpose) is fooling themselves.

Iran is probably the largest current importer of North Korean missile technology. I had heard reports that an Iranian delegation was present for the launch and are probably whipping out the checkbook as we speak.

Israel, I'm doubtful that you will receive any meaningful help from the US. Iran is smart, they are bidding their time until both the weapon and the delivery system are ready together at the same time. When they have a weapon that can strike Europe, the Europeans will be even less inclined (if that is possible) to do anything to stop Iran. Develop your ABM's and prepare for an unassisted strike. I guesstimate about two years, until Iran has both a sufficient quantity of warheads and rockets. They will stockpile and disperse first.

North Korea, has given both South Korea and Japan a reason to build their own nukes. IMO this part of Asia needlessly became a much more dangerous place. We'll see what happens now.

its worse than that, UN resolutions create the ILLUSION that something has been done, when in fact nothing has. Allowing problems to not only go untreated, but pretending that someone is "on the case" as it is, and preventing a real doer from doing anything...

There is also the lesson of appeasement.

Isn't it interesting that Prs. Obama answered the N. Korean testing by announcing that the US should lead the world in nuclear disarmament.

Yes this administration seems hell bent on castrating the US military nuclear deterrent capability. No surprise except to those that refused to believe it. One small problem, the technology cannot be erased from memory, and there are other that want to either keep or acquire the technology, despite this "world history" naive presidents wishes. 

This is funny but couldn't be more true:

Parental Guidance suggested

US Response: Cut missile defense spending. North Korea and Iran rejoice their sweet victory.

Another act of defiance by North Korea, another weak response by the Obama administration and the rest world. Change you can believe in. 

Such an action would have a significant chance of starting a war. The US has struggled just with Iraq+Afghanistan - the much more formidable North Koreans would be much tougher and riskier, before you even start to think of the massive casualties and instability in the region, or the chance of other countries siding with the North Koreans. It's also not like Bush has achieved any remarkable successes with them.

In truth there aren't any easy options - assuming you're not looking for a war, the least worst option seems likely to be to isolate the North Koreans and hence starve them of money they would otherwise achieve from trade, and hope that is enough to weaken them economically and slow them down. Make sure effective deterrants are in place (i.e. you nuke us we nuke you -> we all die, which should be effective against all but the extremesists), ideally try and research some sort of basic counter, and hope for the best.

The main alternative of course is war, and not even Bush went for that one.

Aeortar, economic sactions of the past have proven that all they accomplish is starving the masses.  Can you name one economic sanction against a country where the leaders were effected at all?

Yes, we need to wait until they have a way to deliver their nukes, then do something.

about north korea:

http://www.leasticoulddo.com/comic/20090601

I see N. Korea launched a few short range missile (maybe to celebrate new talk proposals) and may launch a few more. How's that diplomacy working out for you Mr. President?

Any bets on the US response to the N. Korean torpedoing of the S. Korean warship? Here are the choices:

1. Nothing happens

2. The US sends a very harsh letter to N. Korea

3. The US sends a very, very harsh letter to N. Korea

4. The US apologizes for the ship getting in the way of the torpedo

5. The US gives N. Korea some aid

6. The US gives N. Korea some aid and apologizes for doing it sooner

Hey it's Obama what do you expect?