The possibility that Pyongyang will have the ability to reach the United States with a nuclear weapon is no longer a frightening “what-if”, but a matter of time. News of these developments has left Washington several steps behind Pyongyang. While threats and promises of retaliation continue to mount from both the US and North Korea, there is a bigger picture to consider, one that goes beyond daily tweets and headlines. Beyond the US and North Korea, who are the main players and how have they responded to North Korea’s nuclear progress? Nuclear and global security expert Simon Palamar sheds some light onto the complex web of players and intentions at play, and provides some insight into the diplomatic realities in the region when it comes to this issue.