We look, but we do not see

"North Korea cannot endanger the world and then expect other nations to conduct business as usual in arms or missile parts," as well as "It cannot destabilize the international system and then expect to exploit elaborate financial networks built for peaceful commerce."

Condoleeza Rice, in her message to Pyongyang. How can someone talk about arms and missile parts, and in the very next breath, mention "financial networks for peaceful commerce"? Commerce has always been peaceful. However the goods being traded are weapons of destruction. War has always benefitted the US, ever since it made it's presence felt in the global economy. Billions spent on defense... ironic, when being the world's largest superpower - they must worry about defense. Washington cannot countenance the fact that Pyongyang, and Iran, have agendas and governments radically different from theirs. Take a look at all the other nuclear-enabled lickspittles who literally jump when the US frowns. Though not a fan of the Iranian and North Korean regimes, i can appreciate the stance they have taken.

On reflection, US' economic might and stockpiles have lent exceedingly to their voice as a Nation. This hegemony of sorts will impose incompatible structures on economies incapable of supporting the US economic model. While this will in the short term feed US growth and balance possible recessions, it will leave the other nations reeling from unforeseen problems. The bursting bubble will wash clean off the US, and inundate nations in a flood of insurmountable growth barriers.

A recent move by Washington, giving US overriding powers in Space, is a precedent to monopolize the next frontier. Like the colonizers pushed west, driving the Natives out, US now has found virgin territory it can expand to. When and how will this end. Will we be a host of lesser nations governed by this one country?