Isolated Freak, I was just trying to analyse NK's status (military+nuclear) and its potential as a threat for other countries with the likes of US, SK, Japan, Russia and China. It's quite obvious that the shallow economy of NK mostly due to famine and draught during the ninties will not support them in the long run to solely fight against any of these nations, hence Kim Jong II have to make sure NK is seamlessly supported financially as well as morally to be able to stand out. I don't think any of their allies will lend support to them if they keep on violating the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and/or stand by dubiously on their stance. However, China is not a big fan of US's hegemony and double standards. As of now, they are acting as a mediator between US and NK to solve the differences. Lately, China have asked US to not to bump into their internal issues, be it political, economical or bilateral relations with other countries. Because of China's position, the balance shifts towards NK hence US attack is out of question, even in the long run, unless China starts condemning NK blatantly, which is higly unlikely. And no, I did not take and IR classes. I am a completely different major that deals with circuits and equations between nodes and not between different countries and their idealogies . :) LooTe