North Korea To Resume Six-Party Talks

Seems that the North Koreans have agreed to resume six-party talks, despite their assertions that they would only deal directly with the United States. That also undermines the arguments made by the Democrats, who were urging the President to deal directly with the North Koreans despite the fact that the US holds little leverage to secure not only US national interests, but those of the other nations in the region that are within the range of the North Korean arsenal.

This would seem to suggest that the Chinese have exerted significant pressure on the North Koreans to return to the table. The Chinese have the most to lose from a rogue North Korea. It could still mean that China will face a remilitarized Japan, and a bolstered South Korea and Taiwan, none of which is good for China's long term interests in the region. North Korea may be China's lap dog, but it can't have a mind of its own that puts China at risk. Hence, the resumption of talks.