North Korean Restart

North Korea today declared that it will restart a mothballed reactor that once put it in the nuclear weapons business.  Its closure was supposed to be proof that Pyongyang was prepared to get out of that business – and it was handsomely rewarded by the West for doing so.

The reactor is obsolete and it will probably take time to restart.  The mere fact that North Korea is willing to try, however, is a reminder of the futility of seeking to buy better behavior from despotic regimes that delight in duping us – and being paid for it.

Needless to say, this ominous episode – and more likely to follow it – should put an end to President Obama’s dangerous notion that the world will be rid of nuclear weapons, if only we continue to eliminate ours.