North Korea strengthens nuclear push as US flails in Middle East

North Korea is taking advantage of the Middle East war to speed up its weapons development and cement its nuclear status in a world where international norms have broken down, analysts say. Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, North Korea has conducted five missile launches, including four so far in April — the most in a single month since January 2024, according to an AFP tally. They follow a pledge by leader Kim Jong Un to bolster nuclear forces, as Pyongyang reaps the bene...