Sen. Jeff Flake: North Korea Sanctions Not Working

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said Monday that economic sanctions are not effective at deterring North Korea's nuclear program.

"I think, given where they are, we see the limits of economic sanctions, obviously, on North Korea," Flake said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"I think that they are moving. Certainly sanctions are not arresting that development either," he added. "So just about nothing we have done so far has helped slow it down. They seem intent on moving forward. Obviously we hope that China exercises its leverage, they have considerably more leverage than we do."

Flake said that North Korea seems "intent on moving forward."

"What we've been doing over the years has certainly not slowed the advance of their nuclear program, but I don't think that harsh rhetoric does either," he said.

"It becomes cliche to say there are no good options here, but there really aren't."

The senator also commented on President Donald Trump.

"Obviously you like a leader that's measured, sober and consistent," Flake said. "Our allies want to hear that. I think our adversaries need to hear that."

He added, "We've got a good team around the president."

"I do have good confidence in our national security team, and the president does not have experience in this kind of situation, but few presidents do when they come into office," he continued. "I'm confident that the people around the president are giving him good advice and I believe he'll follow it. I sure hope he does."

• Trump on Attacking NKorea: 'We'll See'
• Nikki Haley to UN: North Korea's Kim Jong Un 'Begging for War'