North Korea's continued hostility and development of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, though little discussed, may turn out to be the most consequential U.S. policy failure of the past quarter-century.  When the ongoing failure of U.S. policy to achieve any of its stated objectives is mentioned, those responsible for the policy counter that they have done everything they might have (other than reexamine the premises on which the policy has rested).  But history does not acclaim failed efforts; it condemns them after the fact.

These North Korean missile launches are adding up to something very troubling

By Anna Fifield

September 9 2016

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/these-north-korean-missile-launches-are-adding-up-to-something-very-troubling/2016/09/08/eae2c50a-743d-11e6-9781-49e591781754_story.html

SEOUL — North Korea is touting technological progress in its nuclear program, saying after a nuclear test Friday that it can now produce “smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power.” But it is also making strides in its missile program, analysts say — advances that could enable it to outsmart missile defense systems, which could make the missiles more attractive to potential customers.

North Korea conducted what it called a “nuclear warhead explosion test” Friday. The country has conducted only five nuclear tests since its program began, but this is the third since Kim Jong Un took power at the end of 2011 and its second this year alone.