I think that the Bush administration has played North Korea relatively well recently. I wouldn't say we are playing the hammer, though. Much the opposite, we are keeping our distance from a situation that we relatively little ability to impact, and demanding that the regional powers step up. Its a strategy that also seems to be working in Israel, though only time will tell, of course.

My question to you is this: what value do you think sanctions will add? Won't sanctions play in North Korea much as they did in Iraq, i.e. won't the dictitorial regime just push the pain down onto the already suffering people?

Are you simply applauding the symbolic value of the Japanese taking a stand?
 

Oh, I just screwed up, I didn't see that you were suggesting that we should be looking for sanctions by Eurpoe against Iran. Well, I probably agree with that.