With the U.S.-ROK Alliance in question, the United States must assert its military posture, maintain relations with Japan, defend sea lines of communication, and maintain a role in Asia.

North Korea's neighbors have suffered broader economic costs, and lost economic opportunities, as a direct consequence of Pyongyang’s security policies and practices.

Though China appears to have halted its proliferation activities, those activities suggest a more casual attitude towards nuclear weapons than one of abhorrence. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. That Beijing proliferated nuclear technology, materials, and know-how-and to relatively unstable regimes that may be less cautious about using nuclear weapons-is worrying.