A way out of Iraq

mw - Unfortunately, that can't work. We don't have a military option with North Korea for a number of reasons. For one, we have 37,000 troops stationed in South Korea, within easy striking distance of North Korean missiles. We also have two allies - Japan and South Korea - within easy striking distance. DPRK would be foolish to hit Japan, but, as jaguar said previously, they are blessed with some of the worst leadership of any modern nation. South Korea is a much more likely target, and - here's the kicker - South Koreans would be more angry at the US than DPRK over a DPRK strike because of an already rising anti-American sentiment, due largely in part to the recent acquittal of two American soldiers in the accidental death of two South Korean girls. South Korea would throw a shit fit if we struck North Korea.

The worst part is that DPRK knows this, and they are going to continue to escalate the situation because of our inability to strike right now. The only time a military option becomes viable is when we are directly threatened (read: a DPRK strike on American targets is imminent). We're not there yet.

Diplomacy is the only option we have right now.