If situations such as Syria make us look too timid about needed intervention, it can be as dangerous and provocative internationally as when tin-pot troublemakers such as Kim Jong Un bang the table and cry for attention.

CNN: Does North Korea think U.S. going soft?

For whether he is trying to hang on to power at home, or determined to cock an enduring nuclear snook at the world, makes little difference when Mr Kim clearly feels he has licence to bang on regardless and get away with it.

ECONOMIST: North Korea's nuclear spectacular