THE OPTIONS

Pressure is growing for a new UN Security Council resolution censuring North Korea, plus tough new sanctions. The UN General Assembly takes place in New York later this month. seeming to paint it as powerless to intervene. The approach is worth a try. This is, after all, a leader who prides himself on being able to cut deals.

Trump might be upping the rhetoric but even if he responded to Kim’s aggression, experienced voices of reason would haul him back.

However, if Kim launched a nuke at either South Korea or US territory, he would be obliged to respond in kind.