Of course, Pete, it goes without saying. But do you really think it is inevitable we go to war with NK over a nuclear weapon we have thousands of and have not used?
Only 2 nuclear weapons have actually been used on another country, both by the United States during WWII. There use arguably saved many, many more lives than it cost to use them. Their use did not come with any satisfaction or elation. The same could not be said for many entities around the globe, many of our enemies who would surely use them gladly were they able to get their hands on them.
'Nuclear Deterrence' is as a foolish antiquated idea, especially in these days where many of our enemies see dying and going to meet Allah as a reward, not a deterrent from using nuclear weapons.
Allowing terrorists and certifiable nut-jobs like Kim to possess nuclear weapons when they have openly declared their intent to use them on the US and have the technological ability to deliver on that threat is unacceptable. It is not only in the US' best interest not to allow this to happen but also the world's best interest.
IMO, however, it will be harder and harder to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrible people, and one day in the future a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb will be used again, this time by someone like Kim, some group like ISIS, or some nation like Iran...or Pakistan. Pakistan, for example, is a nation divided between loyalty and opposition to the Taliban...and the Taliban are growing stronger within Pakistan. It is extremely possible that one day in the future the Taliban will take control in Pakistan. On that day they will gain their own nuclear arsenal. Preventing them, or others like them, will become less and less feasible to accomplish.
If anyone thinks, however, that allowing North Korea to have nuclear weapons capable of reaching the United States is an acceptable idea, that they will never use them, I would argue that
'naïve' does not begin to even cover it.
