North Korea’s claim that it detonated a hydrogen bomb is a reminder that they are one of a dozen states that have refused to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
It is also a reminder that the United States has signed but has not yet ratified the CTBT, because the Senate has been unable to obtain the necessary two-thirds vote to pass it.
Nuclear weapons threaten the international community no matter where the weapons are or whose hands they are in. Instead of holding ourselves to a higher standard and reducing our nuclear stockpile or ratifying the CTBT, calls for the installation of a missile defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on the Korean peninsula, have surfaced again. This would surely be seen as a provocation towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Although there is no perfect solution, leading by example and an attempt at diplomatic relations is the best way forward. The success this summer with the Iran deal should give hope to members of Congress that creating a dialogue with difficult regimes does make a difference and agreements can be reached. As citizens of an international community we must realize the flaws with our own policies and come to the negotiating table with North Korea to deescalate the current tension between them and the rest of the world.