Just saw that Kim Jong Un has once again lashed out at Israel with sharp words. The North Korean leadership now claims that Israel is not truly meant to be an independent state, but rather more like a terror project controlled by Washington. Of course, this is nothing new from Pjöngjang—the country has been criticizing Israel’s military actions for years and accusing the USA of destabilizing the region.

What’s interesting is that this rhetoric fits perfectly into the pattern of Nordkorea’s foreign policy. Time and again, they position themselves against US influence in the Nahen Osten and, in doing so, indirectly show solidarity with other countries that hold similar views. Kim Jong Un uses such statements to ease pressure domestically while also being seen internationally as a counterweight to US policy.

The tensions in the region are tense enough already. Such provocative statements by Kim Jong Un don’t exactly help to bring any relief. One can assume that this won’t be the last time Nordkorea criticizes Israel and the USA in this context—it has simply become part of their standard rhetoric.