I was doing some research at work yesterday and found a very disturbing item that has some bearing on this issue.

Sometime in the 1990’s North Korea acquired a number of Soviet SS-N-6 Sawfly ballistic missiles. These are sub-launched ballistic missiles that use storable liquid propulsion (yes, the Soviets were stupid enough to do that). Supposedly these were not acquired with the assistance of the Russian government, but we don’t really know. The Sawfly is the missile used in the Soviet Yankee class subs, weighs over 40,000 pounds loaded and is over 42 ft long; you don’t sneak one of those out of the country under your coat. Range is up to 1800 miles

And the Norks got more than one Sawfly. They later sold some to the Iranians.

Both of these countries are using the technology acquired to improve their ballistic missile systems.

Now, if the Russians deliberately sold these missiles we have a problem. If they let them slip out with a load of rutabagas we have an even bigger problem. Either way the problem starts in Russia and at best ends up with the Axis of Evil being presented with a list of cities and industrial sites that will disappear unless cough up those SLBMs. Worst case is that some Russian cities get added to that list. But that ain’t happening.