[…]the National Security Council released a statement saying that [a nuclear test] would “severely undermine our confidence in North Korea’s commitment to denuclearization.”
If my friend Ted had a steak dinner it would undermine my confidence in his commitment to vegetarianism.
If the local parish priest attended an orgy, it would undermind my confidence in his vow of celibacy.
It’s amazing how many there are who defend NK deluded ideas about itself, and not just in SK. This kind of soft-pedaling is frightening, though perhaps not so surprising.
Can’t we just undermine North Korea… by putting mines under it?
Jonny: I don’t believe you grasp the distinction between soft-pedaling and diplomacy.
Joe: So has DARPA finished developing those autonomous robotic tunneling mines then?