>FWIW I have always considered the test ban treaty itself as a means by the nuclear powers to attempt to kick the door closed behind them (because they can use

>FWIW I have always considered the test ban treaty itself as a means by the nuclear powers to attempt to kick the door closed behind them (because they can use numerical simulation instead of real world tests) rather than an honest attempt at reducing proliferation. That's not a bad thing. A world in which the great powers are nuclear and the minor powers aren't is a far safer one than what we would have with a nuclear free for all. And given that the great powers were going to get nukes regardless, the current system is probably our least bad option. NK is a massive challenge to that system. I hope this can be resolved with a minimum of bloodshed. I desperately wish the world had a more capable person leading the effort.