Tensions between the United States and North Korea have increased, with Donald Trump warning that if the North Korean threats continue, "they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."
This has led many to worry about the possibility of an all-out nuclear war, despite US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's assurances that the American people "should have no concerns."
Saijan M Gohel, director of international security at the Asia-Pacific Foundation, says: "Tensions are definitely escalating, but for North Korea to carry out the threat it's giving out through its media would alienate them and ostracise them from their closest ally, China."
"Kim Jong-un is a bully and a very confused young man, but he wants to retain power, and the only way to do that is not to let the situation escalate. It's unlikely its going to turn into an all-out conflict."
Emil Dall, research fellow in nuclear policy at the Royal United Services Institute, thinks we should be cautious.
"It's important to underline we're not on the brink of nuclear war just yet, but we should also assume that both leaders stand ready to use their nuclear weapons."
"The North Koreans know that any attack by the US would be very devastating to them, so it's important to emphasise that both sides are trying to avoid conflict."
Conservative commentator Michael Walsh feels the North Korean threat should be taken very seriously: "The first thing to keep in mind is that when somebody tells you they're going to kill you, there's no downside to believing that threat is real."
"Something will be done about it and this threat will be neutralised - I don't have any doubt that's going to happen. I think the President's words were well thought out in terms of speaking to a bully in language the bully can understand."
