WMD Proliferation Party: Iranian Missile Team In North Korea For ICBM Test Launch

From the Washington Post, via Closing Velocity:

WMD BFF FTW!

Having earlier noted the ballistic missile proliferation life cycle enjoyed by Iran and North Korea, even I am surprised by the Audacity^TM of this development:

[Japanese newspaper] Sankei said in a separate dispatch from Washington that 15 personnel from the Iranian satellite and missile development company Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group are staying in North Korea at the invitation of the North Korean government.

Quoting unnamed intelligence sources in Washington it said are close to North Korean affairs, Sankei said the Iranians are likely to join North Korean preparations for the launch and also observe it. The report said North Korea sent missile experts to Iran when it launched a satellite in February.

North Korea is believed to have sold missiles to Iran, and Iran's Safir-Omid space launch vehicle owes much to the North's Taepodong missile.

Iranians in North Korea, North Koreans in Iran. It's as if WMD proliferation is something around which the North Koreans and Iranians revolve. An "axis," if you will. You know, another laughably archaic term, like "enemy combatants" and "Global War on Terror."

What would embolden the Iranians to now openly bask in the once-blistering proliferation spotlight? (hint)

So lets' compare the respective cycles each side of this crisis has demonstrated:

North Korea-Iran Ballistic Missile Proliferation Cycle

1. NK mass produces basic ballistic missiles (Scuds), sells them to Iran & others.

2. NK uses the proceeds to fund advanced ICBM development & deployment.

3. NK sells advanced missile technology to Iran.

4. Iran utilizes NK's advanced technology to fire its first space launch vehicle (SLV), aka ICBM. NK is on-site for the launch and takes copious notes, both on the technical aspects and the West's (non)response.

5. NK quickly labels its ICBM test a "space launch," too. NK improves its own ICBM, with the Iranians on-site, taking their own copious notes.

6. Rapidly repeat Steps 1-5 until each party has long range ICBMs capable of reaching the United States.

Meanwhile, the Obama Administration has its own audacious cycle; his famous Hope plays a big role:

1. Allow the North Korean Taepodong-2 test go off without a hitch, with Hillary Clinton (and now Bob Gates) proclaiming that the US has no plans to intercept a possibly US-bound ICBM. Completely ignore the deterrent value of missile defense.

2. With unopposed missile launches, North Korea & Iran share ICBM technology (see 5 above). The speed at which Iran builds an ICBM capable of reaching Europe and the eastern seaboard of the US increases dramatically.

3. Scrap European-based defense against long-range Iranian ICBMs, thus having no plans to intercept a possibly US-bound ICBM. Completely ignore the deterrent value of missile defense. Again.

Which cycle wins?