Anti-Climacus

LINK: The New Republic (my new favorite political magazine), on why dealing with North Korea now could be a good thing, in the long run:

"After watching and possibly helping the United States defuse a threat in their own backyard, the currently wary Russians and Chinese would be far less inclined to see us as a dangerous vigilante. And that goodwill would have repercussions far beyond Iraq. Once we'd built up trust with these two powers--both of whom, incidentally, face home-grown Islamist militant movements--we'd be well on our way to a formidable, if ad hoc, alliance against nuclear proliferation based on our shared interest in thwarting it. (An added benefit: With Russia, China, America, and its ally Britain all singing from the same sheet on WMD proliferation, it's hard to imagine anyone caring much what France thinks anymore.) "

and also:

"By demonstrating that the United States will take every step necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation, particularly among rogue regimes, we encourage the overwhelmingly young and moderate population of Iran in its fight against the unelected hardline mullahs who continue to smother domestic political reform. (Polls show that the average Iranian has a favorable view of the United States--which is to say, that he or she would be open to this kind of encouragement.) The sooner both sides in this struggle realize that the mullahs' rogue posture is hopelessly counterproductive, the sooner the moderates will triumph. "

All of this causes me to speculate that non-proliferation may be a winner for the future. Food for thought.