For a prolonged commitment of financial isolation by China and South Korea, the DPRK would have to either test a nuclear weapon or carry out some type of overt aggression in the region.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Contain and Transcend: A Strategy for Regime Change in North Korea | Page: 7

"The statement is an overt hint that the aggression came in implementation of the Israeli threats uttered lately under the pretext of targeting 'a weapons shipment, '" the Syrian government news agency said.

CNN: Israeli defense minister suggests role in Syria airstrike

Given the past century's history, it's understandable that they might initially blanch at the notion of our attacking first rather than responding to an overt, unmistakable act of aggression.

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