Having become indentured to China, the range of responses available to address the transgressions of its lapdog atate are limited.
It reminds me of how selectively the “Bush Doctrine” was applied. Invade Iraq? Sure. Bomb Iran or N. Korea? Whoa there, tiger.
Japan and S. Korea might want to float the idea of a trade ban with China to see how serious they are about protecting their lapdog.
Beyond that, the USA should walk away from the “six party summits” and reserve all options in protecting its allies. More importantly, it should impress upon Japan and S. Korea their right of self-defense.
I for one would put North Korea back on the US “Terrorist Nation” list, and freeze them in Macao or wherever they have it stashed these days. (Essentially undoing Bush, Condi Rice and Chris Hill’s six party type works or art).... That would rattle them but good. That would be for starters. ZERO doesnt have the balls. As much as McCain disgusts me, I tend to think he might well have done that if he were Prez right now. This current sap in there is going to get us in all kinds of trouble.