GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Kim Jong Un: 'Crazy Fat Kid' or Rational Despot?

Aug 4, 2017 | 12:01 GMT

Kim Jong Un: 'Crazy Fat Kid' or Rational Despot?
U.S. Sen. John McCain's portrayal of Kim Jong Un as a "crazy fat kid" overlooks the North Korean leader's cold, hard logic.

(STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Editor's Note:

In light of North Korea's continued progress toward a demonstrable long-range nuclear weapons capability, Stratfor is republishing this Contributor Perspective from May 5, 2017 analyzing Pyongyang's motives and strategy. 

North Korea's nuclear and missile program has been making plenty of headlines lately. Tension is running high and many people are losing sleep over what happens next. One newspaper even called the situation a "Cuban Missile Crisis in Slow Motion." But is it? Twenty-five years after the Cold War, the world understands the nuclear threat much better than it did in 1962, at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. But what seems to be missing with regard to North Korea is a nuanced understanding of the government's cold, hard logic....

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