provided they're not building and hiding weapons

Why not? We (US/UK) build and hide weapons. Why shouldn't other countries?

If I was some tinpot dictator, hearing the rhetoric coming out the White House these days, I'd want nukes, just to discourage Bush invading me on a whim. c.f. the North Koreans' admission that they're working on nukes.

Note: Devil's Advocate hat is firmly on.