In dealing with North Korea

North Korea’s claim that it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb does not really change the dynamics of the game or even the degree of the confrontation with it.

True, a hydrogen bomb like that detonated by Pyongyang recently is devastating, but it should not change the fundamentals and rules of the game.

Many nations possess hydrogen bombs and means to deliver them, but that should not dictate how to deal wit the new threat from North Korea, whose leader must have an objective in mind by behaving the way he does.

The psychology of President Kim Jung-un needs to be studied when preparing a response to his provocative actions.

The world, especially the US, needs to know what makes him tick and act accordingly.

Pyongyang took the sophisticated military route in dealing with the international community out of a complex that grew over the years, and this must be considered before the US or any other power decides to take military action against it.

The cost of any military confrontation with North Korea is simply too high; it would entail the loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

There must be a prudent way to engage this defiant country and make it change its belligerence towards its neighbours and the world.

The reasons North Korea is going nuclear are the reasons that made so many other nations develop their nuclear capability.

Most likely, it is their sense of insecurity that drove them in that direction.

Besides, the harder the international community pushes North Korea against the wall the more aggressive the regime becomes.

The developing scenario over the past few weeks suggests that this is indeed the case.

Major nuclear powers ushered in this new nuclear era by developing nuclear technology and means of delivering nuclear weapons.

The international community cannot adopt double standards in dealing with the nuclear threat.

In our backyard, we have Israel with a reported nuclear capability of hundreds of weapons.

The international community must apply one standard to all nations in approaching this terrible threat to life.

The answer to North Korea’s rogue behaviour is elusive, but that does not mean there isn’t one. A little of psychology in dealing with Kim would not hurt.