by Mona Gallagher

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: July 14, 2009

World conflict has become commonplace today with riots, protests, killings, and deposed leaders filling the news media headlines daily. It's the new reality of current events. We live in a highly unstable world where power blocs rule and determine the moves. North Korea is allied with China while Iran has a strong partnership with Russia. Currently, North Korea appears to be an imminent threat if not the larger threat to world peace.

Both North Korea and Iran have pursued nuclear power and weaponry for decades. North Korea has been trying to obtain nukes since the 1970s. Iran, after an eight year war with Iraq, had need of a strong trading partner and the alliance with Russia made it easier for them to purchase materials for their quest toward nuclear weaponry.

North Korea:

Direct threats to the United States has placed Kim Jong II in the spotlight. He defies international opinion by firing test missiles and flexing his political muscles despite mediation talks from both China and Russia that took place in mid-June of this year. Kim Jong is on a mission and wants the world to understand his goal for nuclear weaponry.

Recently, the country's foreign minister acknowledged that North Korea was indeed developing a uranium enrichment program with no plans to abandon the program. Despite the UN sanctions after the second nuclear test and banning of North Korean arms trade, Kim Jong continues to thumb his nose at the international community. Cutting off arms trade can weaken that sector of North Korean economy.

North Korea and Kim Jong are undeterred by world opinion and fully intend to pursue nuclear power. The North Korean leader is reported to be in ill health and perhaps in decline, but he will ensure his agenda with the appointment of his son, Kim Jong Un as his successor.

Iran:

Iran, until recently, insisted that their nuclear power plants were for peaceful energy purposes. Their necessary and needful partnership with Russia was forged after the 8 year war with Iraq, to rebuild their cities, provide energy, transportation, and become self-reliant with the help and expertise of Russia.

Long term plans meant building defense and offense capabilities. Deemed as self-reliant, the agenda included nuclear and non conventional weaponry. In addition to internal policy, Iran continues to fund terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, buying influence with social programs (health clinics) and furthering their influence in Libya, Syria and Lebanon.

Though Iran

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