This week Global Pulse examines escalating tensions between North and South Korea, with reports emerging from Seoul that Pyongyang is preparing to test-fire its Taepodong-2 missile, whose 6,700 mile range could reach as far as Alaska. Is this primarily, in the Economist's view, another Kim Jong-Il "hissy fit," designed to steer the gaze of a world in crisis back to North Korea? A Reuters analysis after all points out that North Korea's 2006 attempt to fire a Taepodong-2 missile "fizzled" shortly upon launch. And the Washington Post speculates that Kim Jong Il may be most intent on extracting concessions from the new Obama administration, rather than kicking off a calamitous war.

Does the world have a major conflict to contend with in the Koreas? Or is this simply more bluster from an aging autocrat? Check out this week's episode and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.