(CNN) Among the many strides North Korea has made in its development of nuclear weapons it can add another disquieting distinction: the precedent it's set for other rogue states who covet nuclear weapons. North Korea's new standing as a nuclear power is one the White House can no longer deny, says Maxwell. Indeed, when Kim Jong Il died from a heart attack in December 2011, the confusion over who would succeed him threw into question efforts to engage North Korea in negotiations. North Korea announced the move even as food aid was slated to arrive to feed desperately hungry North Koreans. North Korea will be watching to see how the administration treats the Iran nuclear deal, an agreement Trump has called "the worst deal ever."

Source: CNN September 11, 2017 09:11 UTC