We should switch to an ethanol-based economy, rather than petroleum. We should stop handing out money and food aid - we'll pay for whatever we import, and everyone else can pay for exports. The rest of the world should stop coming to us for handouts of any sort. Absolutely, we should not ever use our military outside the borders of the USA, and let the rest of the world blow itself to pieces if that's what it wants to do. I'm sure that this approach would make everyone much happier.
Paul, USA

We should denounce North Korea's expansionary plans of nuclear weapons Wei-Li Ko, Taiwan

We should denounce North Korea's expansionary plans of nuclear weapons. When most countries declare their antinuclear standpoint and advocate peace, North Korea proceeds in the opposite direction. This action has threatened the stability in Asia and world peace.
Wei-Li Ko, Taiwan

I see many people 'recognize' North Korea's 'right to possess nuclear weapons'. Does this really belong to the realm of rights? I will gladly see any day my country departs with its right to own nuclear weapons in exchange of reducing anyone's suffering.
Gloria, US

Now, that the newly-elected president of South Korea is willing to talk and negotiate with the North, I think future for Korea's reunification is quite bright. But we do not want the US or any other country to interfere. This problem is for Korea and Korea alone.
In-yong, South Korea

We Americans have nothing against Europeans or Asians and we really do want to end world hunger and eventually scrap nuclear weapons. Please don't let the actions of our government colour your view of the American people. The United States doesn't have the right to go in and disarm a nation, even a rogue one. However, if the UN says that nations like North Korea and Iraq need to be disarmed and their people set free, then why can't we?
MRB, United States

North Korea was already on the 'Axis of Evil' list. Why should they patiently wait for the inevitable? By pushing for a non-aggression treaty with the US via the nuclear card, they are exercising their one last option. It's a nasty option, but the only one available to North Korea if it is to save itself from a fate similar to that coming to Iraq.
Brooks, Milwaukee, USA

Bush will go in and wage war against N.K. not because they are any more "dangerous" than others, but to clinch a dominant role in the region. If our government truly cared for peace in the world, we would not impose needless social-economic-political pressure to other "rogue" nations. In fact, bombing NK will happen without SK's consent even though the latter ultimately holds the destiny of the peninsula.
Pascal, US

This board sounds a lot like commentary one would hear at the UN. Whining powerless Europeans and headstrong cowboy Americans arguing about an Asian peninsula. Leave the peninsula and let the Koreans figure this out for themselves. I long for the day when the USA discovers its true destiny and abandons Europe and NATO (and thereby avoids the constant backstabbing whining of Europe and letting their weak nations piggyback on American power) and closely and sincerely joins forces with Russia instead of how they are joined now to the weaker UK. Only then will the world have peace - imposed peace, yes, but a balanced and final peace; and no more European! whining!!!!!
Nicholas V., Russia

I am a little tired of hearing this argument that the Americans won't intervene in the North Korean crisis because they don't have any oil. I remember it was only three years ago when our Europeans allies literally begged the United States to intervene in Bosnia because Europe was unwilling and incapable to do its own dirty work.
Christopher, USA

Americans seem not to know that the rest of the world views things differently from them. Don't they realise that to most people the USA poses a greater danger to the world with its war mongering and hawkish administration than poor, isolated and starving North Korea?
Yiewvl, Malaysia

Pointless US-bashing is not constructive Kevin, Canada

To say the world would be "better" if the US just 'went home and disarmed' is naive and uninformed. This would create an unprecedented arms race, and global instability as regional powers jockeyed to fill the power vacuum. Like it or not, the US is the stabilizing force that allows humanity to EVOLVE through this transitional period without self-destructing - WE NEED THEM. Are they perfect? Of course not - but they are the best the world has. It is our right to insist they work WITH the international community, but pointless US-bashing is not constructive. Nor is it helpful to pretend it's OK for nations to break international treaties THEY WILLINGLY SIGNED along with their neighbours.
Kevin, Canada

If the USA continues to be unreasonably aggressive in order to further its own interests, it will eventually lose its power and influence. North Korea is cornered at the present moment by the political manipulation of US foreign policy. The UN must take an objective and unbiased lead on this issue. The evil perishes! That is the truth! Yet, the question is: who embodies the most evil?
EL, USA

When most of the focus is elsewhere, on Iraq, Israel, etc., North Korea is now feeling somewhat left out of the publicity. So when North Korea can't attract the world's attention through socio-economic reform, what better way then than to start behaving mischievously, "rattle the cot", and bawl for attention?
Niilo, FINLAND

The US has ruled out the possibility of war against North Korea. North Korea is working on nuclear weapons while we know Iraq has none. The only deduction we can make is that the US is more interested in Iraqi oil than in disarming Iraq.
S Senthil Kumar, India

It may not be the correct solution for one country to act as world sheriff. But I don't see any other volunteers. The UN should be more pro-active in these situations and have the authority to react, if necessary, by utilising its members defence forces. It may seem impractical, but it's the way to go.
Mark MacMahon, Ireland

Almost everyone is blind to the North Korean aim Kim Su Bok, South Korea

It seems almost everyone is blind to the North Korean aim. Their goal is to tap into the current anti-Americanism in South Korea caused by Bush's thoughtless characterisation of the North as part of an 'Axis of Evil'. Knowing full well that South Korea and the US differ with regards to policies of engagement or containment , Kim Jong Il hopes to drive a wedge between the long time allies, the US and Republic of Korea.

The fact that this has happened right at the time of the election of an Anti-American presidential candidate in the South is no coincidence. Ultimately his goal is to rid the Korean Peninsula of the US military presence. Meanwhile China sits on the sidelines waiting to see how this all plays out in its soon to be expanding sphere of influence.
Kim Su Bok, South Korea

Let's be realistic, when something horrible happens in the world, who is the first one that the international community will call for help? Of course the United States. I am proud to say that the US Government is doing the best to make this world safer and secure, not waiting for something to happen first before action can take place.
Ahlot, USA

The new South Korean president recently criticized Washington's approach with N. Korea - the only interest the US has on the Korean peninsula is the protection of South Korea. It's time for the US to pull out its troops and let the South Koreans pay for their own defence. Let them handle their erratic neighbour to the north by themselves.
Cyril, Japan

To Cyril (Japan) - US troops entered Korea to serve US interests, not to as a guardian angel for South Korea. If they pull their troops out of Korea, it will also be done in their own interest. The new president's point was that we do not want another war in Korea. Crisis might be of some 'benefit' to the US, as it is in the Middle East. No South Korean wants tension because it will affect our 'lives' directly.
Moon Mikyung, Hong Kong

Any country with weapons of mass destruction is a threat to civilization, including our country. We shouldn't discount the threat posed by North Korea; we should be wary of real dangers though - not fabrications. We are constantly fed messages of fear through our media regarding Iraq. I have yet to see any conclusive information that would make me think we are in danger. I find other motives more conclusive, like securing oil. I find it disturbing that the American comments ride on arrogance and CNN. As Americans claim others are anti-American, perhaps they should ask why they are. 9/11 didn't happen in a vacuum.
Steven, USA

Two wrongs don't make a right! Just because the US has nukes, it doesn't mean that we should let them proliferate across the globe to avoid hypocrisy.
ED, UK

What really scares me is world wide ignorance of foreign affairs, lack of open mindedness and a propensity to 'take sides' at all costs.
Jim, USA

The USA can't be seen as an appeaser, and North Korea can't be seen succumbing to US pressure Tom Wilhauk, USA

With all the media attention this is getting, someone is going to lose a lot of face when they blink. The USA can't be seen as an appeaser, and North Korea can't be seen succumbing to US pressure. This is going to end badly for North Korea either way. The only thing to be decided is if they will back off and live, or press forward and risk being slaughtered. With the leadership of North Korea's callous and cruel treatment of its citizens however, it's more likely that this conflict will end in bloodshed. This was bound to happen sooner or later.
Tom Wilhauk, USA

The world was dangerous enough with only five nations with nukes. Now that other nations, especially ones like Iraq and North Korea which have nothing to lose, are joining the club, the future is very dark. Thank goodness President Bush has the guts to do something about it.
John, USA

Firstly, if the US wants to go in, let them go in alone. The last (and only) time they did this, they lost (Vietnam). It's about time the US government stopped thinking that it has the right to do as it pleases. It claims to be a bastion of freedom and democracy; let's see them start to be by having them withdraw their troops to their own soil, dismantle their nuclear weapons, and working on dialogue, rather than this continual "holier-than-thou" attitude.
Karl Brown, UK

I can see that the development of nuclear weapons by North Korea may be a suspicious move. I cannot see how US has any right to interfere. It has nuclear weapons so why shouldn't North Korea? In any case, North Korea does not have the missiles to attack the US (as far as we know). Kim Jong-il is unlikely to use the weapons anyway because he knows that it may trigger a war. I believe that the new elected president of South Korea, Roh Moo-Hyun can continue the 'sunshine policy' and resolve the situation. Isolation can only bring better environment for North Korea to develop nuclear weapons.
In-yong, South Korea

It is a double standard that certain countries have the right to retain their nuclear stockpiles while others are deemed too irresponsible. It becomes a question of asserting ones values on others, and as always those with the might have that right. As long as nukes exist others will seek to acquire them to level the playing field, and keep the US in check with the fear of nuclear retaliation.
Brian, USA

It's a negotiating chip that these nations seek Arik, USA

Even if North Korea had nuclear arms at this moment, what would they do with them? "The bomb" isn't for using so much as being taken seriously. Any nation (except the US) would know that if they were to use nuclear arms, it would mean absolute loss of power for their country, not to mention destruction. So it's a negotiating chip that these nations seek. Of course the US doesn't want another contender at the world table so that's why they're so worried about it.
Arik, USA

Another poor county that can't feed its population, but can maintain a 1,000,000 man army and embark on a nuclear program. Why?
Hugh, Sweden

North Korea illustrates the sense that small nations must have a nuke or two to be a player. If Iraq had nukes we would have to show them respect. Small countries would be mad not to have some type of bomb now.
Dan, UK

Why does it take threats of nuclear weapons to make us pay attention to North Korea? Right now its entire population is in slavery, dying at the hands of a lunatic dictator...we should all feel very ashamed of ourselves for letting our political servants allow this to continue.
John, Australia

What do the North Koreans have to say? Where are their comments? Oh that's right - they can't enjoy the freedom of US Bashing can they?
Dana, United States

America's job is to nose around and brand other nations as evil etc. They are paranoid to the core. What about the nuke capability of the US? They go on testing their missiles and updating their technology, but others should be silent.
B. Nagarajan, India

I think North Korea's problem is more critical than Iraq's Shigeru, Japan

I think North Korea's problem is more critical than Iraq's. Why doesn't the West move more quickly to solve this crisis? Because Iraq has oil and North Korea does not?
Shigeru, Japan

Korea should be left alone. It's only because Bush has been using his mouth since he came into power that we are all in this scrape. A question for all Americans here: Do you think the current leadership of Israel is any less dangerous than that of Korea or Iraq? They have a nuclear bomb. Go and disarm them if you TRULY mean what you say. Oh I forgot, the Jewish lobby.......read money, power, votes.......
Kevin Ashley, Belgium

What Bush is doing makes absolutely no sense. North Korea is definitely more dangerous than Iraq will ever be. North Korea threatens South Korea and Japan - two of the world's biggest economies. Iraq threatens no one but Israel - and the Israelis are more than capable of defending themselves! The Bush administration has done a horrid job in general regarding the Korean situation. There seemed to be genuine progress at the end of Clinton's term. Bush went on to wreck Kim Dae-jung's rapprochement policy, took a full year to come up with an unimaginative, paranoid policy (not to mention the "axis of evil") - souring relations between both Koreas and the U.S., and finally, when things couldn't be worse, ignored the situation altogether for Iraq. We Americans sometimes wonder what possessed us to choose him as president - oh, wait, we didn't.
Zontrell J., USA

Bush said that Saddam is a menace and that Iraq forms part of the "Axis of Evil". The same applies to North Korea. So how is it that the US has no appetite to go after Korea militarily? The answer is the prize in Korea would be humanitarian. A few million people saved from starvation at the hands of a dictator. Is it worth risking American troops? But in Iraq, control of 10 percent of the earths proven oil reserves is worth shedding their blood for. Oh yes, those Iraqi people might also be liberated.
Rajah, UK

I am not pro-war, but can you reason with a person who is willing to starve their own citizens? Stefan, USA

I am not pro-war, but can you reason with a person who is willing to starve their own citizens? What else is left?? To leave them alone and see what happens? No Thanks! History has showed us what psycho dictators can do. The entire world, not only the US, should seek to remove these people from power.
Stefan, USA

If you read the history, you will find that the only country which has used its nuclear weapons in a mass-killing of innocent civilians is the US. The reality is: no one will ever know who is a nuclear threat until we see them use nuclear weapons.
Adeeb Ibram, New Zealand

Do not criticize the US for taking action. We should support them and be grateful that someone has taken on the task of being Sheriff in this grim world.
Heikki K, Finland

How about disarming both India and Pakistan along with North Korea?
Ahtesham, USA

To give proper perspective, I must remind all, that it was United States that divided Korea 57 years ago. Korea was a singular nation prior to Japanese occupation but U.S. decided to give northern half of Korea (not Japan) to Soviets Union as a reward for entering a war against Japan at very end of 2nd World War. The Soviets had no business in Korea and should have never allowed in to setup present communist regime. The idea that a victim (Korea) of a crime is split up while the perpetrator (Japan) is held together is beyond my logic. This stupid and arrogant action is the source of present and past troubles - 50,000 U.S. troops and 2 million Koreans died in 1950-53.
JC, Canada

Iraq is no longer threat to North America or Western World but North Korea is the real threat; we must turn on N.K. before it's too late.
Lee Kim , NY USA

Dear Americans: please wake up - nobody hates you but for Heaven's sake get rid of GW Bush. He's a warmonger an extremely poor diplomat, and he is making a lot of money for defence contractors at the expense of taxpayers. America has no right to take the moral high ground. Its self-serving foreign policies have led to the deaths of thousands of people in Vietnam, South America and Afghanistan to name a few examples. As for those who talk about appeasing dictators, if America had stood up to Israel a long time ago, then half the problems in the Middle East would have been resolved by now.
Femi, UK

Dear Femi: The UK is largely to blame for Saddam. It demonstrated pure incompetence when it drew up those Iraqi boarders without considering the different ethnic groups. This ensured future civil wars creating the perfect for an environment for Saddam to rise to power.
Andrew, USA

North Korea is far more dangerous than Iraq and in a symbolic move I think the Korean installations should be bombed by a squadron featuring American, Russian and Chinese planes to show that the world community is united. Unfortunately there is a pro Israel lobby very active in Washington and therefore Iraq is likely remain the priority.
Herve, France

Of course the U.S. is looking out for its self interest Michael, Texas, USA

Many people write about the U.S. supporting despots and tyrants and give this as evidence that the U.S. is both out for it's self-interest and has no right to remove the before mentioned despots. Of course the U.S. is looking out for its self interest, any democratic elected government that does not look out for the self interest of its people well not be in power long. Whether the actions taken where the right thing to do is unknown since, as far as I am aware, no one has the ability to see what would have happened had the U.S. not put this person or that government into power.
Michael, Texas, USA

There should be real movement to disarm every country that has weapons of mass destruction. Stop the lies and window dressing. The problem however, is: who should disarm or be disarmed first. I think the US, then Israel.
Jegg, Namibia

The fact that North Korea is developing nuclear weapons is worrying. It was worrying when India and Pakistan revealed they had them too. The USA, however, didn't start posturing then. The USA has more nukes than anyone else, pointed at more places than anyone else. Perhaps the USA should destroy 98% of her nukes, prove her commitment to world peace by not sticking her nose in where it's not wanted, actually intervening in conflicts regardless of the presence of oil, and facing up to her global responsibilities, e.g. Kyoto. Then, and only then, might the world regard the USA as a great and good country, not as a posturing bully.
Dan Halford, New Zealand

The Kim regime has no legitimacy. If we don't contain them now, we will be remorseful in the next few years when they grow too strong.
Xiao Ling, USA

Many Americans are anxious as a result of 9/ll. Can you blame us? Luke Andrews, USA

I find it disturbing that so many people are voicing their anti-American opinions. Ordinary Americans have the following desires: world peace, the end of global poverty, the end of tyrannical regimes, the dismantling of ALL weapons of mass destruction, global environmental purity, and religious freedom. Our current leaders embraced a hard-line policy when we were attacked (has everyone forgotten 9/11?). Americans have a deep fear - that we will be attacked again by a faceless enemy. No, many Americans don't agree with every Bush policy; however, many of us are anxious as a result of 9/ll. Can you blame us?
Luke Andrews, USA

All North Korea wants to do is to establish dialog with the US. It is just using the resuming of nuclear programme as the bargaining counter in its negotiation with the US.
Elsa, Hong Kong

North Korea is not a very pleasant country. But taking the aggressive foreign policy of the US and Europe into account, nuclear weapons are the only way to stop the west from invading other countries. Since the destruction of the UN system during the illegal Kosovo war, each nation is thrown back to defending its integrity on its own with every weapon at hand - thanks to Clinton, Blair, Schroeder and Bush.
Markus Lauber, Germany

I think not blaming the US every time a rogue nation starts acting up would be a responsible first step. The world must coordinate efforts and make a strong and united stand against these sorts of nations.
Nate, USA

I strongly believe that the only sustainable way forward is the way of peace, better understanding and strong will to make this world better. We need to find reasons why North Korea wants to play nuclear card and how Iraq issue can be tackle without humiliating Iraq's people. I hope the US will try to understand the root cause of international problems rather than using blind force without thorough deliberation.
Imran A Khan, UK

What is to be done about North Korea's nukes? The U.S. should abandon South Korea and let them face the North alone. Nukes in the North is not an American problem, it's more of a problem for China, South Korea, Japan and others. Let them face the fallout of their own pacifism.
Chuck, Atlanta, USA

Chuck, USA: US interest requires an unstable North Korea to exist until and unless a pro-American government can be set up to replace the Kim Jong-il regime. A continuing threat from N. Korea in varying degrees has been used by US governments to justify its presence here. I don't need to explain why the US tries to prevent an economic zone encompassing China, Japan, Korea from forming where there is no place for the US in the future, do I?
Y Jeong, South Korea

The comments above show surprising little empathy for the current suffering of the North Korean people. The real humanitarian thing to do is for some sort of alliance to go in and free them.
Rolf Bjork, Spain

It is interesting to see how all are equal, but some more than others. While the US and Israel can develop and use their nuclear power, the rest of the world should behave and give in to the big bully demands. What makes the West so special and so damn self-righteous?
Sara Milerian, Singapore

We are the good guys and we have a right to determine who gets weapons of mass destruction. North Korea is a rogue nation and is entitled to nothing.
Sam, USA

I think we need to define 'America' in these discussions Nigel A. Gunn, England

I think we need to define "America" in these discussions. I personally believe that America is a great country. The American people are very friendly and polite and great to be with. Unfortunately, they have a big black cloud, the Government, hanging over them and giving them a bad reputation. Please remember that the American people are not generally trouble making warmongers.
Nigel A. Gunn, England

Nuclear weapons are NOT safe in the hands of ANY country in the world, east, west, north or south. I'd like to know if any of the world leaders have actually thought of getting around a table and talking through their "issues". It doesn't seem like it to me - it seems to be act now, talk later. This is not sensible in any walk of life, let alone when one is dealing with the lives of millions of people.
Darren, UK

America is the only country ever to have used a nuclear weapon, and they made great use of chemical weapons in their South-East Asian adventures. Now they want to make sure that no one else can ever challenge them.
Adam, England

North Korea wants oil, Iraq wants nuclear weapons. Iraq doesn't need to produce any weapons so the inspectors won't find any. North Korea is about to throw its inspectors out. Iraq wants to buy its weapons in exchange for oil, which it has plenty of. If you were deemed to be part of an "axis of evil" wouldn't you gravitate towards someone else tarred with the same brush?
Mark, Guernsey

We should be far more concerned about Korea than Iraq Nick, UK

While the West focuses its attention on Iraq, which may or may not have weapons of mass destruction, another country, North Korea, is openly restarting its programme of developing weapons-grade plutonium. We are looking in the wrong direction. We should be far more concerned about Korea than Iraq.
Nick, UK

One knows that things are bad when even the UN gets nervous. The North Korean nuclear weapons programme poses a greater, more immediate threat to the world than Iraq's does. North Korea's nuclear facilities should be nullified post-haste, "by all necessary means". After all, a stitch in time saves nine, does it not?
G Y, London, UK

The North Koreans need the electricity - "let them" turn on the nuclear plants for it. As for bombs, even if they're really going to build them, don't worry, where are they going to use them? To retaliate? Maybe. To be the first one to use it? I doubt it. The US had already got nuke bombs ready at their South Korean bases anyway. Of course, the perfect solution would be a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. But this is not a perfect world.
Auyeungs, Hong Kong

The US and its allies should simply go back to square one, publicly retract the statement about N. Korea being a member of "the axis of evil", with apologies, and get on with the negotiations, i.e. what exactly will it take for N. Korea to abandon nuclear weapons(?).
Kamel Darwish, Finland

In the US at the last "Free and Fair" elections, we saw fraud, resort to legal arguments, and the basic premise that a citizen of the US can no longer stand for president without the multi-million dollar backing of the commercial sector. The US president must fear being removed from office if he does not appease the opinion of the public, often determined by the spin put on a story by CNN. Now before someone gets upset, I am not anti-US, nor anti-democracy. Just stop and ask yourself this, do you really think you know what your government is up to? Do you really think they would risk sharing information with the public at large?
Des Whittall, UK

Why not let China sort this out? After all North Korea is their southern neighbour. China is a full time member of the UN Security Council so is in an ideal position to use its power to 'advise' Kim Jong.
David, UK

Finally Iraq will have a source of fissile material while Al Qaeda will have a source of fully assembled atom bombs. The only one that can stop them is the US and the only thing that can stop the US is the mindset of paralysis that has plagued it since Viet Nam.
Mark, USA

If Bush had not shot his mouth off in the "Axis of Evil" speech, publicly embarrassing the North Koreans, it is unlikely they would be posturing at this point.
Nancy, USA

North Korea is an immense penal colony run by a lunatic and his oligarchy of Generals. At some point the US will take a page from the Israelis, whose air force, in 1981, destroyed the Iraqi Nuclear facility at Osirik in Iraq.
Dan, USA

The best solution to this problem is for the Americans to leave the peninsula Anwar, USA

It is a shame that Korea is still divided. Since it doesn't need the help of thousands of foreign troops to survive the North Korean government is amore legitimate system than the south. The best solution to this problem is for the Americans to leave the peninsula and for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapon program.
Anwar, USA

Well now, perhaps all you whiners (particularly the Canadians and the Brits) would like to resolve all of these global issues yourselves. Maybe we (USA) should just absolve ourselves from all of these issues. Oh, but wait, as we have the might, capability and most importantly, the guts to do, this it will not get done if we do not do it.
Ezra, USA

I think North Korea has done nothing wrong in exercising its sovereignty. The U.S. and U.K. has to stop interfering with other countries affairs. It's not North Korea that started all this. It is President George Bush and his Axis of evil speech.
Feisal, Canada

The world community must act and show Kim that outside of North Korea he is no God! Bobby, Penal, Trinidad and Tobago

Mr Kim is typical of autocratic leaders who are products of a cultivated dynasty, and who falsely mislead themselves into believing that they can get away with anything. The world community must act and show Kim that outside of North Korea he is no God! This is a global responsibility, and outside of the domain of the U.S. by itself.
Bobby, Trinidad and Tobago

The UN are just treated as a joke in all this as they are just tossed aside while countries tear up agreements in pursuit of aggressive policies. The IAEA are there to keep innocent people safe they are the only people who I have respect for in this.
Pete, UK

I find it amazing that in the XXI century there are still many naive people so blinded by their communist-era anti-Americanism that they are willing to defend the right of the most ruthless regime on the planet to possess weapons of mass destructions. Hope you will not have to run to America for help one day as you always did in the past.
Mirek Kondracki, USA

Maybe we can deal with this in the same way as we're dealing with Iraq - through the United Nations. I hope for a time when the UN is respected as much as such a laudable ideal deserves to be, and when no country - INCLUDING the USA - is permitted to be in breach of its resolutions, and countries that sign treaties are obliged by international law to keep to them. And by the way, it's not fashionable to criticise US policy - it's just difficult to find anything positive in it.
Tracey, UK

Wake up to the fact that it is America who has repeatedly propped up repressive regime after repressive regime Shivram, Singapore

Wake up to the fact that it is America who has repeatedly propped up repressive regime after repressive regime (Zia in Pakistan, Mobutu in Zaire, Saddam in 80's Iraq, the royal family in Saudi Arabia, and countless dictatorships in Latin America), and clandestinely as well as overtly funded and supported rebel terrorist groups such as the anti-Soviet Mujahideen (the precursor to the Taliban). America only wakes up to the horrors of its ruthless foreign policies when they come back to bite it in the rear (Bin Laden, Saddam). One can only hope that the one good thing that will come out of the terrible tragedy of Sep 11 is that enough Americans will wake up to the horrors inflicted on other parts of the world by the machinations of the CIA and other Cold War anachronisms.
Shivram, Singapore

Bush should try to unite the world. The motto of Peace, Love and justice MUST be for ALL. For God, we are all son of Abraham divided by man made borders which were put on by the so-called colonialism. The world MUST be united to fight those incite war if we want PEACE to prevail. We should listen to people such as John Paul II and follow want the Bible/Koran says about people living in PEACE instead of relying to selfish leaders.
Yousef, Kenya

When the singer Meatloaf lost quite a lot of weight he said that he found that - having becoming a slightly less intimidating figure - when he said to people "don't do that !", instead of cowering from him as they used to, they simply said "why not ?" By being abusive and threatening to so many peoples of so many nations, Mr. Bush is learning the same lesson as Mr. Loaf.
Richard Haut, Nice, France

I am fed up with this attitude by some people, that we in the West decide what is right, what is civilised, what is acceptable, who can do what and who can say what. The West is no more democratic than these nations they talk about being evil. I agree we get to vote, but for the remaining duration of their time in power these do not listen to anyone but themselves. They make deals in the background to get the right vote in congress and parliament. Israeli and US breach of UN resolutions completely overlooked. The world should be worried about the US and the Spineless UK.
Rajesh Morar, UK

Keep quite, US has bitten off more than it can chew. US should realise that it is already fighting on two fronts and cannot afford to open a third. And most important it would lose every where. The Koreans would not have restarted their program if the US had not stopped fuel shipments.
SG, India

Does opposing George W. Bush justify becoming an apologist for North Korea's dynasty of fear? Anton, USA

It makes me sad to see so many people stand up for the last bastion of Stalinism simply because they see it as a way to check American power. Does opposing George W. Bush justify becoming an apologist for North Korea's dynasty of fear?
Anton, USA

North Korea is a country that wants peace, not a war. And it is not an aggressive country, which never invade any other country, unlike the US. It is understandable that they need to develop nuclear weapons to gain respect and to protect themselves. I do not think the US has the guts to fight North Korea again. They lost last time. China will not allow the US to do so as well.
Bob, Ireland

To Bob, Ireland. The Korean War was communist aggression against the South; they were the first to cross the 38th parallel and the ones who invaded Seoul. If it weren't for the intervention of US military forces (oh excuse me, UN forces) South Korea would be in the same state the North is in.
Jarad, Japan

The world and especially USA should not underestimate the extent of brainwashing capabilities of communist regimes. I think the options left for America are not too many: step up diplomacy through Russia and China; at the same time prepare for spot air strikes on chosen facilities to break the infrastructure denying the possibility of creating a nuclear bomb in the near future.
Balaji Natteri, Russia

Where do some of these comments come from, some kind of kindergarten for the naive? To see so many apologists and appeasers saying that North Korea should have the right to develop nuclear weapons if it wants to is just as stupid and short-sighted as saying we should have allowed Hitler to have done so too.
Susanna Thompson, USA

A double standard currently exists in the world over who can possess WMD. The UN should take control of all WMD, destroying most of them, while keeping a small stockpile under the control of the Security Council.
Darren, Australia

If the US takes no action, no action is taken. Look at Bosnia, Kosovo and even Iraq circa 1991. Before the US became involved, the rest of the world did nothing. Those who think that any country should be entitled to these weapons should do more research before they speak.
Paul McGann, USA

Let's hope that the US does not attack North Korea or this will be one of the last holiday seasons for a very long time Serguei, Japan

Fighting 1.2 or 1.4 million North Korean troops will be a lot more difficult and the US will not win that war, because nuclear war cannot be won. And it will be nuclear if the US attacks North Korea (North Korea will never be the first to attack the US or its allies). The only hope that we have now is the new leader of South Korea, who promised to work closely with North Korea. Let's hope that the US does not attack North Korea or this will be one of the last holiday seasons for a very long time. Happy Holidays to all of you!
Serguei, Japan

If Iraq or N. Korea had a nuclear bomb, then there is no doubt that they would use it on the United States as soon as possible, and then claim innocence. With whom then should we go to war after 10 million of us are killed? We cannot let any enemy of the U.S. have the bomb, for today, all of our enemies are evil, underhanded, killers of women and children.
Dale, USA

Dale says all the enemies of the US are killers of women and children. I suppose they learnt this tactic from the US attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima? If anybody doesn't deserve the right to Nuclear weapons surely it is those who have a proven track record of using them?
Eric, Australia

How do we spend our time? Fighting over this and that. Which one of you wants to die in a war? I wonder what would happen if we all put down the tough guy attitude and realized that everyone that's here has the right to be, and no one has the right to interfere with anyone else's way of life. This could become a pretty cool place to hang out.
Jason, USA

It's absolutely frightening to see so much blind resentment towards America. Here are a several bumper sticker ideas: "I support rogue regime's"; "Back-stabber and proud of it"; "I trust Saddam to tell the truth"; "I support North Korea's Nukes".
Steven, USA

What the Bush administration can do is capitalize on the atmosphere of fear and let the defence contractors line their pockets - while going after a defenceless country like Iraq.
Johnny Kahn, USA

I am troubled immensely by the implicit assumption that any country which develops nuclear weapons is "evil" - while countries who have built up vast stockpiles are allowed to keep them, and are the "defenders" of the world. I believe that there is no place for WMDs in a "civilized" world. To end with a famous anecdote: Gandhi was asked what he thought about western civilization. He replied "a good idea".
Chris, India

Do not let your disapproval with George Bush blind you to a major threat to world peace from North Korea Shaun Carr, USA

To those who say that America should not "care" because a nation is building nuclear weapons should not come asking for help when one of those "peace loving nations" uses its "harmless" weapon. Do not let your disapproval with George Bush blind you to a major threat to world peace from North Korea.
Shaun Carr, USA

The problem is the Bush administration is hell bent on restoring his father's "New World Order." Therefore, nothing matters besides the interests of the US. If his administration was not so single minded in its foreign policy or fixated on just Iraq, this crisis could be resolved very quickly. In essence, North Korea wants to establish a dialog with the US. They are just using all this nuclear rhetoric to do it. It is like a child behaving badly to get their parents attention.
Tom, South Korea

The argument that North Korea should be allowed to have nuclear weapons since the USA and UK have them is greatly flawed. The greatest flaw in this argument of idealistic parity is that the United States and the UK are democracies with democratically elected leaders held accountable for their deeds. North Korea is led by a military dictator who answers to no one but himself.
RCB, USA

RGB, USA. So the U.S and U.K are democratically elected leaders. Is the U.S democratically going to bomb Iraq? I don't remember electing them to be the world's policeman. The U.S for the first time is really shaken by North Korea's actions. How does it feel? What goes around comes around.
Hakeem Ebraheem, Dublin, Ireland

There is no doubt in my mind that North Korea's reactivation of nuclear power has an extremely suspicious motive. However, it has proved futile to have a hard line approach against North Korea. Perpetuated sanctions will result in further sufferings of the innocent North Koreans. We should first try to talk them out of their decision and solve the problem diplomatically. A renewed and more cunning "sunshine policy" would bring about a solution.
TAE, South Korean

It's always amazing to read Talking Point issues which have little or nothing do with the US, and see the real issue neglected while the participants engage in trendy American-bashing. The North Koreans have removed monitoring equipment that was installed by the UNITED NATIONS, not the United States. Yes, America has spoken out on this issue, and as a member of the UN is concerned about the potential dangers. People often talk about wanting multilateralism (the UN is the best incarnation of that ideal that we have right now) to work instead of perpetual American peace-keeping. Does your country belong to the UN? If so, this might be a good time to support that commitment to world peace instead of screeching because the Americans are the only ones standing up for UN resolutions.
Kelley, USA

Kelley, USA, writes that the Americans are the only one standing up for UN resolutions. I really think there is a serious lack of reality here as the USA has consistently scuppered resolutions relating to her allies (e.g. Israel) while enforcing others which serve her interests. So forgive me if I seem to be America bashing but from what I see it's the USA that is part of the problem rather than the UN.
M Magrey, United Kingdom

Why not let South Korea be the first to deal with issues from the north? Bosguy, USA

I expect that the newly elected president of S. Korea will make every effort to solve this crisis. S. Korea also has or will have enough strength in many aspects. Considering its potentials, why not let it be the first to deal with issues from the north?
Bosguy, USA

See through your hatred of the USA to at least look up the facts! Secret tunnels to move troops, commando attacks on the South, terrorist downing of a South Korean airliner, kidnapping Japanese and South Koreans then torturing them, experimenting on them, keeping them and their children forever, starving they're own people. These ARE THE FACTS! YOU think it's OK for them to have nukes? Why?
Conrad, USA

I just hope that North Korea's leader isn't as crazy as the stories suggest and that he is simply using this exercise as a blatant way of shaking down the west for aid in the form of a disarmament deal or other monetary concessions.
Neal, USA (ex UK)

Iraq is ruled by an dictator and so is North Korea, Iraq has weapons of mass destructions and so does north Korea, Iraq is a rouge state and so is North Korea, Only difference Iraq has oil and North Korea does not!!
Tim, USA

As far as I know, most Chinese do not like the NK's nuclear program. As an old Chinese saying goes: "extreme poverty promotes changes"; if many people starve to death everyday, the government will fall - regardless of whether or not it owns nuclear weapons.
Ben Zhang, China

Any country that has the technology to develop a nuclear weapon should be allowed to do so. Why the big fuss. The world will get used to it. Why can't the whole world get rid of such weapons, rather than dictate who should and who should not have them.
Chandran Sukumaran, Malaysia

Chandran, I think you will find that a large chunk of the world including Britain, Russia and the US do want to get rid of nuclear weapons! Unfortunately whilst nations like North Korea continue to develop 'new' weapons, then other countries are unlikely to get rid of their 'old' ones! It isn't about deciding who should and who shouldn't have them, but it is about stopping anyone in the world making 'new' nuclear weapons - which is illegal under UN law and has the full support of the UN.
Russ, UK

It is now the problem of the two Koreas to solve without US "interference" Gerald Joyce, Chicago, US

The world should do no more and no less than what it did when Israel developed a nuclear bomb: nothing.
Anteo Sergovich, Croatia

I really find this mentality that "since the US, UK, France, etc have nukes... North Korea should be allowed to have them too" really disturbing. By the same logic, since the police, government and investigators have guns, then we should allow criminals to have guns too.
Ian, San Francisco, US

Ian, San Francisco - your argument criticising people who disagree with US policy using the analogy of police & criminals misses one vital point. Namely that the US (with countless interventions for self interest and use of WMD) has adopted criminal practices in its self appointed role as world policeman - the term bent cop would spring to mind - and you want us to feel safe with the likes of the US over our shoulder??!!
Mo, UK

Do not blame North Korea for its actions. The N Koreans just wants the US to sign a non-aggression pact for the sake of peace. Once this can be achieved the inspectors can go in and check its weapons programme. The Koreans do not want to be in a similar situation as Iraq, so they want a pact signed. The whole world is witnessing the Bush administration bent on war even if the weapons inspectors do not find a single clue about WMD. Now, tell me can you trust the corrupt Bush administration?
Junaith, Singapore

If the South Koreans view the US as a threat, I would be happy to pull our troops out. The Cold War is over and South Korea has a professional army capable of defending itself. Take the troops in Korea and use them against al-Qaeda and their surrogates. As for North Korea having nuclear weapons, that is now the problem of the two Koreas to solve without US "interference".
Gerald Joyce, Chicago, US

It's a real threat to the neighbouring nations Lee, South Korea

Some of you are saying: "Who cares? The Korean peninsula is no where near us. Let's go to war!" If you actually lived here, you wouldn't say that. Any attack on the North would result in immediate retaliation against the South and possibly Japan. Can the world afford to annihilate two of its influential economies? That's why we must solve the problem through dialogue!

The most likely reason why the North is resuming its nuclear programme is to use it to get the world to start talking to it again. If any military solution is suggested, it will not be welcome in either Koreas.
E S Kim, South Korea

The idea that anyone would defend North Korea is ridiculous. It is an aggressive militaristic regime that starves its citizens and kidnaps foreigners. North Korea should be confronted and forced to give up its nuclear ambitions.
Bob, US

Iraq claims it has no weapons and the US talks of war against it. North Korea claims to have nuclear weapons and the US uses diplomatic measures and no talk of war? Insane!
Joe, Norway

It's a real threat to the neighbouring nations. In the future it will serve as a basis for spreading nuclear weapons to other countries. But the biggest problem is that no one has a solution to this problem. Imagine what would happen if every country possessed nuclear weapons without any surveillance?
Lee, South Korea