North Korea

Yesterday North Korea test fired a bunch of missiles, most of them intermediate-range SCUD or SCUD-derivative Nodong missiles. The launches were clearly designed to gain attention, and they have, but what now? The missiles have only served to highlight North Korea's militant and unstable leadership. Nations normally blase about Korea are taking notice, and the UN might take some some action, however ineffective. Japan is withdrawing some of the few trading and travel outlets enjoyed by the North and the US is even less inclined to negotiate with North Korea. They gained the attention of the world and the world has condemned them. It would seem that a very poor nation spent a lot of money to dig itself into a deeper hole.