International

It would seem that 2017 has brought the world a ninth nuclear power. Although still undeclared, North Korea appears to have joined the UK, USA, Russia, China, France, India, Pakistan and, most likely, Israel in having the world’s most deadly weapons as part of their arsenal.

Whatever your opinion on nuclear weapons, North Korea has displayed some serious mettle in remaining committed to its strategic goal of becoming a nuclear power. This has been achieved with little in the way of external technical assistance and despite UN sanctions, international isolation, and the extreme poverty of its public.

Its determination to become the world’s ninth nuclear state has been motivated by the simple premise that the deterrent offers the regime its survival. Thus, 2018 may see a change of tack from the international community on North Korea relations now that it seemingly has a credible nuclear capacity, although whether the tone will be more modest or more hostile is unclear.