Trump has amped up pressure on North Korea to come to the negotiating table with sanctions. North Korea, however, has undercut such sanctions for years with cyber-robberies that have targeted more than $1 billion. Those cyberattacks, although lacking the flash of a bomb, must also be part of any deal that the Trump administration makes with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Financial crimes mean that even when faced with tough sanctions, North Korea can undercut their intention by simply hacking a victim and requesting large transfers. With such an option, buttressed by countries that are willing to continue shipments of important resources regardless of sanctions, North Korea is in a far less controllable position.