We've also seen what happens to socialist countries that don't have a nuclear deterrence. Libya made the mistake of dropping its nuclear program to improve western relations, and has been reduced to rubble as a result. DPRK's nuclear deterrence is the only reason why the US hasn't dared to invade it yet, despite the regular "military exercises" near its border in occupied Korea.

In a sense, countries like the DPRK and Cuba are biding their time for when US sanctions lose their effectiveness as US influence declines with the Global South's rise.