But What Can The United States Do In Response?

The nuclear rhetoric between the United States and North Korea ratcheted up dramatically Tuesday, with the Communist stalwart asserting its self-proclaimed sovereign right to test a long-range missile -- one capable of hitting the United States.

It appears the government of Kim John Il has completed fueling the Taepodong-2 missile, and is ready for launch as early as Wednesday, weather permitting.

"I think it is a very serious development," said Leonard Spector, Deputy Director of the Monterey Institute's Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, to ANN. "We have had a pause in this problem area with the Koreans since 1998... and to see them change their posture, and to go back to increasing capabilities, is very unfortunate... as are the capabilities of the missile."

Taepodong-2

As Aero-News first reported Saturday, the Taepodong-2 is a two-stage follow-on design to its earlier Taepodong-1 single stage missile (shown at right), which the country first tested in 1998.

While believed to be fairly inaccurate, the Taepodong-2 -- with an estimated range of 9,300 miles -- could reach as far as the US West Coast. Depending on what warhead is used... it could cause considerable damage, regardless of its precision.

In response to North Korea's posturing, the US has reportedly activated its ground-based missile defense system... which is admittedly imperfect. "It's a very rudimentary system," said Spector. "It's not at the point where it could shoot down a missile with any kind of confidence."

Mark Kelso, chairman of social sciences at Queens University in Charlotte, NC, tells ANN that North Korea may very well get away with testing the missile... as the US has few military options available.

"It's somewhat difficult for the US to take action in these circumstances, because of it's increasing political isolation" over the Bush administration's handling of foreign affairs over the past few years -- which rules out much of a chance of any US-led coalition against North Korea.

"You have the potential of setting off a major war," Kelso added, "that would make the Iraq War look like a minor engagement."

Valiant Shield

By sheer coincidence, the United States is just now beginning a massive military exercise in the Pacific. The exercise, called "Valiant Shield", has been in the works for months... and will, for the first time, include a delegation of Chinese military observers.

Valiant Shield will involve 30 warships, 280 aircraft... even elements from the US Coast Guard.

Given the advanced planning for these maneuvers off the coast of Guam... is this the US sending a message to North Korea? Not likely, say military experts.

Instead, the US is emphasizing that the exercise is open to observation, and certainly not meant as a provocation. Then again, as practice makes perfect... US military officials say the exercise will take place again next year... and will become a biennial event thereafter.

FMI: www.pacom.mil/exercises/vs2006, www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/dprk/index.html