In addition to K-Lo and Jonah’s posts, I’m also reminded of this Charles Krauthammer’s column from January 2003. Usually columns like these don’t materialize out of the ether, but channel some behind-the-scenes debate. I suspect the State Department prevailed in the debate at the time. We didn’t take a harder line with China, and we are where we are today. But the danger isn’t just in East Asia. All along, Iran has adopted the North Korean playbook. Why mess with success? And with all her talk of deal-making, Rice seems intent on being the new Warren Christopher, our former Secretary of State who, in some ways, can also consider himself the father of the North Korean bomb.