A former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says neglecting North Korea's nuclear program is a dangerous gamble with very high stakes.

In a contribution to the Wall Street Journal Saturday, John Bolton said several State Department officials have downplayed the North’s recent provocations as “a desperate cry for help,” or actions to draw attention.

He said early signs show that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is falling prey to such logic and downplaying the significance of Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

The former ambassador also cited the Obama administration's failure to appoint a special envoy to North Korea, even though it appointed one to the Middle East.

Bolton said the North’s nuclear program contributes directly to Middle East tension, warning that Washington will resolve neither North Korea’s nor Iran’s nuclear ambitions if it tries to ignore or downplay the relationship.