The latest North Korean nuke test undoubtedly constituted a major morale-booster for Iran. It could not imagine a more uplifting object lesson.
The parallels between Tehran and Pyongyang are obvious – two rogue states that covet nuclear weaponry, defy the rest of the world, are fired by extremist and expansionist ideologies, conduct spurious negotiations and appear inured to international sanctions.
North Korea has been subjected to sanctions longer than any other country. Yet the citizenry’s near-starvation is hardly the highest priority for Pyongyang’s tyrants. Tehran’s ayatollahs aren’t more caring. Neither regime is likely to back down out of compassion for its suffering masses.
Moreover, the two collude chummily. North Korea has assisted Iran’s nuclear program and Iranian scientists were invited to witness the Korean tests. Pyongyang’s pattern of suckering the West is clearly not lost on Tehran.
Iranian uranium upgrading had proceeded steadily along while its diplomats bought time in pseudo-negotiations. Nevertheless, another round of futile talks is due to begin in Kazakhstan. US President Barack Obama has decried the third North Korean nuclear test as “provocative,” while he insists on pursuing a diplomatic solution with Pyongyang’s matching twin – Iran.
It is as if the North Korean and the Iranian sagas were played out in separate, unconnected bubbles. It is as if the world’s democracies deliberately don blinders. This is irresponsible. The Iranian plotline is closely modeled on the North Korean precedent, where America’s failure was especially phenomenal.
Pyongyang had hoodwinked Washington, and Iran learned that it is possible to get away with the most outrageous deceit. Indeed, it learns that nuclear bombs can be used for extortion, that a nuclear power becomes invulnerable to pressure and that it can impudently use its arsenal to demand the removal of sanctions. Rather than deter Iran, the North Korean example emboldens it.
America assumed it had won North Korean cooperation for a disarmament process after the first North Korean test in 2006. By 2008, though, it became clear that the Yongbyon nuclear facility was again abuzz with activity. After further haggling, another disarmament deal was struck in October 2008. International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors were to be allowed to conduct forensic tests of nuclear materials. North Korea was removed from America’s “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list.
But on May 25, 2009, North Korea carried out another nuclear test, thereby thumbing its nose at the US. This was followed up by long-range missile tests. The latest bomb tested can reportedly be fitted into a missile’s warhead.
Now, as in 2009, the singular consolation for Washington was that both Russia and China condemned the Pyongyang insolence. But what of it? These two effectively breach the sanctions against North Korea. Their attitude to the sanctions imposed on Tehran is almost an exact replica.
So much for making progress on the diplomatic track and avoiding confrontation at all cost. Rogue regimes regard Western lenience as weakness, and the weak are humiliated. But it is not just a question of honor. The safety of humanity as a whole has been severely compromised by irresolution that can only be likened to pre- World War II appeasement.
North Korean nuclear technology is for sale and the identity of the highest bidder does not matter. The nuclear reactor that Israel destroyed in Syria was a notable North Korean export. Additionally, North Korean ballistic missiles are already in the unreliable hands of Iran, Egypt and teeter-tottering Syria, to name just a few. Each and every Arab state had, to some degree or other, purchased North Korean military know-how.
It is hardly inconceivable that a variety of nuclear devices could find their way to terrorist outfits such as Hezbollah or al-Qaeda – either directly of via fronts. No nation, anywhere, would be immune from the consequences. North Korea had just broadcast a video in which the flattening of New York City by nukes is simulated.
Pyongyang had no qualms about reneging on its obligations almost as soon as seeming accommodation was reached. Iran is equally adept at making mockery of Western envoys. Nonetheless, Obama apparently trusts that suave diplomats can cool the Iranians’ ardor to harness nukes in the service of fanatical Islam.
The Korean genie can no longer be pushed back into the bottle, but the Iranian genie has not yet fully sprung out.
Bucking the Trend ... 
North Korea is Irans ally and it possibly tested an Iranian nuke device…at least the underlings of that communist will share their experience with the rabid…
North Korea achieved it’s nukes despite sanctions and despite being bankrupt and in a state of economic despair…!
Iran is FAR better off than those deprived Stalinists…this makes it perfectly clear: SANCTIONS are MEANINGLESS…!
ALL OF IRANS ILLEGAL NUKE INSTALLATIONS MUST BE DESTROYED BY ALL AVAILABLE MEANS !
Busher is out of service for now…the time has come to act !
Thanks Sarah!!! Great article …
It’ is tragic in the most horrific sense to see how Israel has deferred to the US and the UN for any substantial action on Iran and especially for their bogus peace scheme.
Do you not see the never ending failures on the failed,dead end road you have chosen ?
Daily Israel’s faith challenged see the impotence and stupidity of the collapsing superpower it worship-fully serves with religious devotion while ignoring the Holy One of Israel.
This gross idolatry will surely bring Israel much suffering and ruin to learn what the people should have already known.
America is not Israel’s God.
To ignore God and look to this devious,lying decadent,broke,reprobate,corrupt,collapsing nation America for anything is beyond foolish,it is your death wish. Don’t blame God for what you bring upon yourselves.
“If you are going to say things, they have to mean something.
And to mean something you have to be prepared to follow up and that exactly what we are prepared to do”
John Kerry, Secretary of Late,Late,Late
Sorry to say it, but unless Iran is dealt with militarily, they will turn out exactly like N. Korea, only worse and nuttier if that were possible. So it seems to me Bibi is going to have to put his money where his mouth is.
Well said dear uncle…and just let me remind you, that your lil nephew would sleep a lot better, if he finally would be able to know, what really happened at Fordo…oh well…
To my dear, wonderful nephew : Did you ever try counting mushroom clouds to help you fall asleep? I have found it to be a source of great comfort.
Obama was never serious about, to stop Irans nuke program with military force…
He simply repeats the mantra of ALL AMERICAN WIMPS, notably GWB that Iran “must not have” nuclear weapons and that ***ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE***LOLLLLLLLLLL
Of course Iran KNOWS, that this is the language of cowards, of helpless appeasers who have long ago capitulated to Irans evil plans.
North Korea and Pakistan succeeded with their nuke programs and Iran is on it’s way !
The US will NEVER attack Irans nuke installations ! It is as simple as that…the US failed with the reactors in Iraq and Syria and Reagan and Bush would NEVER EVER have done, what Israel did…to act and to destroy the nuclear dreams of criminal rogue states…
Israel acted instead of the IMPOTENT US…and it made the world a safer place !
I think my nephew missed his calling. He should immediately replace Angela Merkel as Chancellor of Germany.
Yes…North Korea and Iran…the two most dangerous nations on earth; with the corrupt, uncaring crony capitalist communist Chinese in between; and the malevolent Russians hovering above, waiting for an opportunity to strike somewhere. Definitely a recipe for disaster, but when, where, and how will it start? Chilling to think of an EMP attack on America, by the Iranians or North Koreans. So many Americans refuse to countenance such a scenario. In that event, would Israel stand alone? Who knows? Not that I believe in Doomsday prophecy; but Sir Issac Newton said that Armageddon wouldn’t happen until 2060. But what might happen before then?
Thank you again, Ms. Honig, for your courage in Cahersiveen; you’ve opened a small hole for honest debate to occur. Good for you!
As always, this is yet another excellent article. If this visit takes place soon, it will certainly be a symbolic visit by the Haman of the US to Mordechai of little Israel. How tinely that this visit is taking place at this time.