(CNN) -- "Even if you know the way," an ancient Korean proverb advises, "ask one more time." If North Korea's latest cycle of misdeeds, followed by international censure, followed by menacing words out of Pyongyang has a familiar ring to it, it is because this behavior has become a fixture of the accordion-like rhythm of Northeast Asian security. But a familiar path is not the same thing as a prudent one. It would be a mistake to let North Korea's young leader think he has inherited the family license to provoke with immunity. Let's briefly retrace the recent cycle of provocation, sanction and threat.
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North Korea has threatened more missile and nuclear tests
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Patrick Cronin says the threats came in response to reasonable sanctions imposed on N. Korea
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He says it may be prudent to show N. Korea that such provocations won't succeed
@placeholder's next nuclear test may well pave the way for a sizeable expansion of its nuclear arsenal.