The Marmot’s Hole

Big Nick chimes in on North Korea’s nuclear declaration in the WaPo:

North Korea’s declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons and intends to hold on to its nuclear arsenal “under any circumstances” was greeted with shock and astonishment in much of the world. In fact, the most astonishing part of this momentous development was the fact that North Korea’s bold move has come as a surprise, both in Washington and abroad.

The North Korean government did not suddenly claim to join the world’s nuclear weapons club on a bizarre and inexplicable whim. The announcement represented the entirely predictable culmination of decades of careful, painstaking, costly efforts and calculations. Until we appreciate the thinking that animates North Korea’s quest for weapons of mass destruction, we are going to face the prospect of ever more unpleasant and expensive surprises from Pyongyang.

As they say, read the rest on your own. And while you’re at it, read Kathreb’s excellent critique as well.