North Korea agreed to a phased closing of its Yongbyon nuclear reactor Tuesday. Though past experience tells us not to expect much from the treaty, the U.S. has few options as a result of poor play early during early phases.

In 1994, the U.S. and North Korea signed the Agreed Framework. Its primary purpose was to cease Pyongyangs plutonium enrichment (for later use in nuclear weapons) in exchange for 500,000 tons of heavy fuel from the West and the construction of several light water reactors to expedite Korean nuclear power ambitions.

By 2003 U.S. intelligence had discovered clear evidence of North Korean uranium enrichment, violating the spirit of the framework, and constituted its violation in the eyes of Washington.

Tuesdays agreement promises more of the same North Korea will halt major portions of its nuclear program in exchange for 950,000 tons of heavy fuel that is, until it invariably finds another loophole or simply gets tired of complying with the agreement and wants to extort the U.S. for more aid.

What more should we expect from a country whose people are starving and heavily indoctrinated toward hating the West? After all, Kim Jong Il described Yongbyons closing as temporary to his own constituents, according to CNN.com.

This makes us wonder why America is making a deal it doesnt expect to last.

The answer is simple the U.S. military is overextended and the American people are hardly willing to engage in another full-scale conflict. On top of that, the Unoted States inability to deal with North Korea is arguably what gave them a nuclear capacity in the first place.

Dont let administrative optimism fool you. At best, Tuesdays agreement ensures that North Korea receive solid aid as it develops stronger weapons.



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