"It is necessary for us to practice the political art of containment on NK. We did so with the USSR and they eventually came apart. But with Russia, we sent them wheat when necessary. At the same time that you contain a country, you have to make sure that its people are not so desparate that they are forced into supporting their government."

i had wanted to interject same but hit the post button to soon :)

Red China nearly went down about the same time that the USSR thing fell apart. i think they are more intimidated by North Korea than we are. makes for some interesting possibilities in the political realm.

tim