From the NYT:

Still, after 18 months in which the administration has touted the virtues of collective action against Iran by the United States and its allies, the sanctions are a major turn toward unilateralism.

The shift represents a tacit acknowledgment that the diplomatic strategy pressed most vigorously by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been ineffective… (emphasis added)

Admitting that the U.S. (and the EU, and the UN) has been ineffective in trying to sweet talk Iran into curbing its nuclear ambition is a bit of an understatement. After a year an a half, during which North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon and faced only sanctions, Iran has only grown much more bold, and even enlisted the backing of Russia.

Rather than criticizing the U.S. for unilateralism, someone at the NYT should use hindsight from the North Korean case to realize some action needs to be taken against Iran, which has just as much if not more potential to cause global instability. The “or else what?” moment will come.