SIR: Decades of trying to keep tabs on North Korea’s bombs and missiles have taught us that the Norks lie and cheat and that they throw hissy fits when we call them out. Kim Jong Un and POTUS got along famously but we must assume that Little Rocket Man is going to try it on again. We need an agreement that stops him doing that. Some basic requirements:

1. A plausible declaration. In the past few days we have facilitated some stories in the press about what they are up to: stepping up uranium enrichment and expanding one of their missile factories. This has let the Norks know that we know that they plan to cheat. So they may think twice about declaring just a bare minimum of nuclear and missile facilities. We know a bit more about them than they thought. With luck, they will not realise how little that bit is.

2. Front-load it. They must move first, opening up to inspection, and stopping enrichment. But…Continue reading
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