(CNN) -- Headlines and pundits once again declare that we have a crisis on our hands in the wake of discovering that North Korea is building a new nuclear reactor and a uranium enrichment plant. More ominously, Tuesday brought news of direct artillery barrages between North and South Korea, heightening tensions and costing lives. But as provocative and serious as this is, neither is a crisis. Both fit a clear pattern of North Korean behavior -- a pattern that ultimately holds out the opportunity for progress. Unfortunately, so far the U.S. response also fits a pattern of rhetorical condemnation but little in the way of creative or effective engagement. Some key lessons need to be re-learned in light of these developments.
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North Korea's artillery barrage was serious, but this is not a crisis, say co-authors
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They say the action fits pattern of North Korea's behavior and doesn't preclude progress
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Revelation of a uranium enrichment plant doesn't signal escalation in its weapons capability, they say
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U.S. needs to try economic and diplomatic measures to move ahead, they say
In fact, we only know about the facilities because of an unofficial visit by @placeholder whom the North wanted to use to reveal them.