Obama wants "stronger, global regime".(THE LAST WORD)(Barack Obama's foreign policy)

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From the point of view of selling nuclear disarmament to a world concerned about international terrorism and rogue states, the timing of North Korea's test-firing of a missile could not have worked out better for President Barack Obama. The missile was fired on Sunday, April 5, and the president was scheduled to give a major speech in Prague later that very day to call for "a world without nuclear weapons."

Naturally, Obama's speech was quickly updated to capitalize on North Korea's action. And just as naturally, the fact that North Korea does not have a nuclear weapon (the rocket reportedly carried a satellite) and is technologically backward (the test firing was not a success) were downplayed in a media frenzy that portrayed the launch as a crisis.

"We go forward with no illusions," the president said regarding his proposal for nuclear disarmament. "Some will break the rules, but that is why we need a structure in place that ensures that when any nation does, they will face consequences." He then added regarding North Korea's missile launch:

 
   This morning, we were reminded again why we need a new 
   and more rigorous approach to address this threat. North 
   Korea broke the rules once more by testing a rocket that 
   could be used for a long-range missile. 
 
      This provocation underscores the need for action-not 
   just this afternoon at the UN Security Council, but in 
   our determination to prevent the spread of these weapons. 
   Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words 
   must mean something. The world must stand together to 
   prevent the spread of these weapons. Now is the time for a 
   strong international response. North Korea must know that 
   the path to security and respect will never come through 
   threats and illegal weapons. And all nations must come together 
   to build a stronger, global regime. 

Obviously, Obama intends to exploit the North Korean provocation to build the "stronger, global regime" he envisions. And not just North Korea. In his Prague speech, the president also pointed to Iran as another potential nuclear threat. Though acknowledging that "Iran has yet to build a nuclear weapon," he also stated: "Let me be clear: Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies."

Nations, Obama understands, will not disarm in a vacuum. The nuclear genie is not going to be put back in the ...