North Korean Nuclear Threat

In a provocative move that is driving up international tensions North Korea moved two mid range missiles by train to its eastern coast and placed them on launch platforms.  They have also threatened attacks on the U.S. and declared a state of war exists with South Korea since receiving U.N. sanctions after carrying out a third nuclear weapons test.  The North Korean rockets are believed to have a range of 2500 miles.  That puts them in range of U.S. troops in Japan and South Korea but not the U.S. mainland.

Despite all the rhetoric military analysts suggest a full scale conflict is unlikely.  For several decades China has been North Korea's closest ally, largest trading partner, and primary source of aid.   Observers suggest, however, that there is a subtle shift in Chinese foreign policy.   North Korean expert Daniel Pinkston says Beijing is fed up with the distractions created by Pyongyang.   So much for North Korea's main ally.  North Korea is basically on its own. 

In the meantime the U.S. is preparing to send advanced defenses to its Pacific territory.  U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has pledged a measured response.   An anti-missile system is being deployed in Guam.  The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System which was scheduled to be installed in 2015 will now be sent within weeks.  This land based system includes interceptor missiles, a truck based launcher, and radar tracking equipment capable of shooting down short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles.

Well, I thought about that and here's what I think:  The U.S. is following the right path.  What we need is a measured response.   Cool heads must prevail.  The North Korean regime is a very secretive  one.  We do not know what their intentions are.   To misinterpret, miss step or act too soon could lead to disaster.