Korea could conduct another nuclear test in next few days

The WC-135 Constant Phoenix collects samples from the atmosphere to detect nuclear explosions, and will be used to patrol the area off the Korean peninsula in the coming days.

We don’t fault Tillerson or President Trump for responding to recent North Korean missile tests. The United States forges ahead with plans to modernize each part of its triad (bombers, land-based missiles, and missile-carrying submarines), adding new capabilities, such as cruise missiles with increased ranges.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said in a statement reported by Reuters in 2016: “This move goes beyond the defensive needs of the relevant countries”.

A first-strike attack against North Korean nuclear sites also is problematic because much of its arsenal is based underground and underwater. The film also displayed the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, celebrating successful missile tests with his military leadership. A broader effort to bring down the entire regime would be an enormous undertaking. North Korea has a history of moving military personnel and gear around to deceive satellites the regime knows are watching. He wants the capability to strike American cities at will, most likely with nuclear capable weapons. At best, it would prevent Pyongyang from perfecting some of its more ambitious weapons programs, such as mounting ballistic missiles in diesel electric submarines.

The subtext of this simultaneous launch is clear: North Korea can conduct multiple, simultaneous launches to thwart the new THAAD missile defense system (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) our military is deploying in South Korea, a system meant to obliterate descending ballistic missiles while they are still in the air negating their damage. They would be the primary targets of North Korean military retaliation. They can do without food, but they cannot do without nuclear weapons. Its impact could have far-reaching consequences on the relationships with Russian Federation and the West, as well as between Iran and global players. Given as Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi put it, “The two sides (the USA and North Korea) are like accelerating trains coming towards each other with neither side willing to give way”, finding the leverage to defuse the threat could be his most important and complex negotiation.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the U.S. are now conducting the annual Foal Eagle exercise, a field training exercise (FTX) which aims to develop capabilities for ROK-U.S. combined operations and which began on March 1 and will continue until April 30.

“The United States has been talking about launching pre-emptive strikes at North Korea and we have been prepared to deter, to counter-attack such attacks”, Choe told Reuters. And nobody will be cheering on the North Koreans more than Iran.

Further, the US and North Korea are unlikely to reach an accord even if they hold direct negotiations.

Since then, Trump has done an about-face on a trade war and “One China”. Attacking troops would face mountainous terrain, concerted opposition and potential chemical, nuclear and radiological threats.

The military maneuvers by North Korea coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s first visit to the north Asia region.

It quoted one of the officials as saying the test could come as early as the end of the month. Option 3 was put on hold.

Couching the West’s stance toward North Korea as “strategic patience” is a charitable description.

For now, Kim appears to think he can keep ramping up his nuclear program unchallenged.

The greatest challenge to global security is the nuclear threat from rogue states, led by North Korea and Iran. Action could provoke disaster.