There are hard rumours here that N Korea is just about ready to test a bomb.

If that happens then maybe China will act in a harder manner to bring the N Koreans to the negotiating table. China does not want a nuclear capable neighbour right on its own borders.

The Chinese Govt and the US Govt would have to work along with the South Koreans and the Japanese.

Problem there is that the US has declared (along with Japan) support for Taiwan should the Chinese try and take it by force.

China is having a spat with Japan at present over natural resources, territorial disputes in the S China Sea and Japan seeking a seat on the UN Security Council. The riots in China over the last few weeks against Japanese business's were govt approved and used the excuse of history books used in Japan's schools to whip up Chinese nationalists.

The lid has been put back on that one for a while as the govt started to worry about the riots getting out of hand.

So we have four countries, all of which distrust each other, to try and bring the N Korean's back into line. Not a good start.

If, and I do not think it will happen, the US launches a strike on N Korea then I dread to think what will happen. Bringing down the North Korean Govt could lead to even more instability in a country where military rule has prevaled for over 50 years.

GWB should leave Iran to be dealt with by the Europeans, the Iranians totally distrust any of the US motives. The European countries are trading partners with Iran and hold a few more cards than does the US.