[jola]

i would consider arming japan to be part of politics, unless your intent is to strike and not to deter. that is the very essence of nuclear politics. i agree that diplomacy can often yield negligible results, but once nuclear weapons are involved, the ante is upted significantly. you can no longer treat the situation as you would treat iraq or even iran. if you show Kim that his reign is coming to an end and all his attempts are futile as the world's armies converge on his land, what does he have to lose in firing off a missile dipped in uranium?