We have detailed in this space many times the Bush administration’s thank-you-sir-may-I-have-another diplomacy on North Korea. The more provocative and defiant North Korea acts, the more likely a State Department concession or even reward. And so it goes over the last 48 hours. BBC headline two days ago: “North Korea ‘Building Atomic Warhead.” AP headline yesterday: “Diplomats: North Korea Bans United Nations staff from Yongbyon Nuclear Complex. Boston Globe headline yesterday: “North Korea reported to fire short-range missiles into the sea.” And the “consequences” for such defiance and provocation? BBC headline today: “US-North Korea nuclear deal close.” And from the AP: “Sources: US nears removing North Korea from terror list.” Embarrassing.
