re: #21 Feline Fearless Leader

And playing up nationalism and “us against the world” is part of the dictator’s playbook. Combined with needing to show that you are still in charge and beyond control of outside forces. So you avoid, delay, and sabre rattle — essentially bluffing since taking you out is more than most countries (or the international community) would be willing to *rationally* pay.

North Korea seems to be better at this game than Saddam was.

Saddam would probably still be in power if he hadn’t invaded Kuwait and gotten his wings clipped under Bush I.