>> that's what happens when a 21,000 pound bomb explodes in the afghanistan-pakistan region where at least 36 isis fighters have lost their life. >> so that's the background music in some people's version of this reality show. but in foreign policy circles, very few expert says the road to north korea runs through afghanistan and syria. in other words, there is no clear geostrategic reason that the u.s. appears to be escalating military disputes with these three very different countries right in the row there are strategic reasons why north korea, though, is different from those other two states. the stakes here are much higher. this country is currently celebrating the 105th anniversary of the birth of its founder, kim il sung. it's already morning there. u.s. officials do believe there is a chance north korea might use this anniversary, these proceedings we're watching to coincide with the test of another nuke, another explosive test. there have been six in the recent period.