U.S. analysts discuss N. Korean options

WASHINGTON, May 29 (UPI) -- The world is watching to see how the United States will respond after warning of consequences for North Korea's nuclear test and missile firings, analysts say.

"Our allies are watching to see how we respond. Iran is watching to see how we respond to North Korea. And similarly, anything that Iran does, North Korea is watching to see is this just U.S. talking tough but doing nothing, and we can get away with this, or are there really consequences for these aggressive actions," Tom Scheber, vice president of National Institute for Public Policy in Virginia, told the Voice of America.

Following North Korea's actions this week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned of consequences as the U.N. Security Council debated a resolution on the communist country. Since the nuclear testing, North Korea also has issued threat of military action against South Korea.

Scheber told VOA instead of military action, a strong missile defense system is needed, although President Barack Obama's administration has plans to cut missile defense budget.

Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, former assistant vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, said Obama should be considering regime change in North Korea to prevent a spread of nuclear weapons, VOA said.

"I'm not prepared right now to discuss the how. But the fact is, if we don't, it means that Japan, South Korea are going to have to go nuclear to deter this threat," McInerney said.

Peter Huessy with Geo-Strategic Analysis, a national security consulting firm, told VOA more aggressive action is needed, such as divestment, saying if you do business with the United States economically, you cannot do business with North Korea and Iran, or its entities.

He said North Korea also should be immediately removed from the international banking system.