I suppose it was inevitable--North Korea's nuclear test today. At right is the USGS summary map of the area for the day showing a small seismic anomaly. Interestingly, when I went to the site immediately after the North's announcement, the USGS map showed nothing.
Back in 1968 nuclear nations agreed with the signing of the NPT to take "effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament." With current US foreign policy, it's not surprising that North Korea has pulled out of the NPT and has begun building nuclear weapons. Nor is it surprising that a number of other nations might be working to develop a nuclear weapons capability. If the nuclear powers cling to their nuclear weapons and threaten their use, then other nations will inevitably try to join the nuclear club.
