US moves trigger tensions

The actions of the United States in at least two parts of the world aimed at enforcement of its nuclear policy has led to increasing tensions. The message from the US may be clear about its doctrine allowing weapons only for states that are its allies or those it does not consider as threats to itself or its friends. This is not a view shared readily by North Korea, which remains a bugbear despite engagement in face to face talks at the highest level twice. On the second occasion the talks broke down as Kim was unwilling to disengage all his nuclear assets, some of which are stored underground. Even before the seizing of North Korea's second biggest coal carrier,Wise Honest,was announced last week, North Korea had begun testing the first of three new missiles, only short range and not of the ICBM type that may threaten America but can reach ally South Korea or Japan.

Amid rising tensions with Iran, the US is sending a Patriot missile defence system to the Middle East, besides more warships and B-52 bombers. Retaliating in this psychological warfare, Iran has made it clear that it will resile from the nuclear deal and hold on to its enriched uranium and heavy water instead of selling them to other countries.

America's allies may argue that such one-sided deals, while being very far from perfect, at least guarantee regional stability. The pressuring of the likes of Iran and North Korea may please the US's current hawkish stance but the world is far from being at ease.