Security Council tightened sanctions last week, raising the prospect the North could conduct another weapons' test or lashoutagainst rival South Korea.
In other parts of Europe, in places like Greece and Spain, similar discussions have toppled several governments and have escalated into huge, sometimes violent protests, as people lashout in frustration against government decisions they find intolerable.
Aside from its imperative to lashout at Israel, Obama's ideological predisposition would permit him to happily sit on the sidelines and do nothing against US foe or friend alike.