ARTICLE: North Korean Nuclear Blast Draws Global Condemnation, By Blaine Harden, Washington Post, May 26, 2009

ARTICLE: An Early Test for Obama's Engagement Policy, By Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, May 26, 2009

The succession issue, in my mind, is driving North Korea to make a big show right now. The regime is betting the response will be swift and more negative than usual, but nothing it can't handle because China really won't take the steps necessary to create any serious regime instability.

Back here, Obama's "soft" policy of engagement will be blamed but it's completely irrelevant to this process, which is driven purely by internal North Korean needs to appear strong as the succession nears.