Washington has long told the rest of the world what to do. But the world usually pays little attention. When ignored, U.S. officials typically talk tougher and louder, with no better result.
That describes American policy toward North Korea. It would be better for Washington to less than frantically denounce every provocation. The U.S. and its allies typically respond with angry complaints and empty threats, which only encourages North Korea to provoke again.
North Korea recently launched two missiles. One exploded shortly after launch, while the other landed about 260 km from Japan. It was more of the same, barely worth a second thought.