There is ample history of the world not taking the threats of maniacal despots at face value and living to regret it. That could be happening with Kim Jong Un.

On the surface Western governments appear sanguine in the wake of increasingly strident pronouncements from North Korea that it intends to wipe Japan and the U.S. off the face of the earth. The threats are largely dismissed as posturing and sabre-rattling - more for the benefit for the brainwashed at home than enemies abroad.

Intelligence agencies aren't convinced Kim has a viable nuclear warhead that can be accurately, reliably delivered to his intended targets. But if he doesn't have it yet, they are confident he will in the next 12 to 18 months. Which places its neighbours and their sworn protector in a quandary. 

A pre-emptive strike might conceivably halt the nuclearization of North Korea and neutralize Kim. It could also unleash a flurry of conventional weapons that might kill many thousands on either side of the DMZ.

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