Suddenly, and with little warning, geopolitical risk is back. With all the thundering force of an underground nuclear explosion, our heads are turned to the globe’s unstable flashpoints once again… Suddenly, and with little warning, geopolitical risk is back.

Not that it ever really left, of course. Preoccupied with a sea of financial troubles, the world had simply put it out of sight and out of mind for a while.

Now, with all the thundering force of an underground nuclear explosion, our heads are turned to the globe’s unstable flashpoints once again…

North Korea: “Look at Me”

In North Korea, the Kim Jong Il Regime has just conducted a fresh nuclear test (and fired three short-range missiles). “World leaders reacted with outrage,” according to CNN, in response to the unlawful test. The U.N. Security Council held a special emergency session to “condemn”

In an attempt at cutting off any thought of an Israeli withdrawal of the Golan Heights as part of any peace deal with Syria, PM Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the Golan Heights will remain in Israeli control.

According to Ynet: “Netanyahu’s remark clarifies that the Turkish-mediated talks held between Damascus and the Ehud Olmert government have been frozen and would likely remain that way. The Syrians are demanding an Israeli declaration on the Jewish state’s willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights as the basis for any continued dialogue.

The prime minister has said in closed forums that he is ready to hold negotiations with Syria, without preconditions. Before the Knesset elections in February, Netanyahu visited the Golan and planted a tree there as a symbol of Israel’s sovereignty over the area.”

Let’s hope that Netanyahu can stay strong cause as