Time for action

Today's news that North Korea is to withdraw (with immediate effect) from the six party nuclear talks and that it is expelling the IAEA from its territory, was to be expected, following the UN's condemnation of their missile strike, 9 days ago.

However it once again serves to highlight the inadequacy of Western policy towards the nation. The time has come for an “all or nothing” approach rather than the piecemeal mealy mouthed policy we have had thus far. A muscular western policy to North Korea will demonstrate to other countries that nuclearisation and provocative overtures will not be tolerated.

We cannot afford a policy failure on this scale and in this arena.