Facing the threat from North Korea: 5 essential reads

The U.S. Air Force conducted an ICBM test launch of its own from California this morning, according to CBS News. Numerous media reports said an Air France flight 293, traveling from Tokyo to Paris on the day of the missile test with 323 people on board, passed through trajectory of the missile just 10 minutes before it plummeted from above.

It was the fourth test this year and involved a Minuteman 3 missile, regularly launched across the Pacific by the U.S.in a display of its effectiveness, readiness, and accuracy.

Graham’s interview, suggesting the president has threatened large-scale military intervention on the Korean Peninsula, follows weeks of North Korean missile launches and a series of missile defense tests among the U.S., South Korea and Japanese militaries.

CNN, citing a US defense official, reported later that North Korea had been showing “highly unusual and unprecedented levels” of submarine activity, in addition to its third “ejection test” this month.

Meanwhile, Iran also has medium-range missiles and, despite a deal with former President Barack Obama’s administration, nearly undoubtly is on its way to becoming a nuclear power.

Tillerson said Tuesday “at some point” he would be open for talks with North Korea. The US also said it conducted a successful test of a missile defence system located in Alaska.

Following North Korea’s missile test on Friday, the United States have flown two bomber planes over the Korean peninsula.

“If this assessment accurately reflects reality, North Korea’s engineers have yet to master re-entry technologies and more work remains before Kim Jong-un has an ICBM capable of striking the American mainland”.

Japan’s ambassador to the United Nations says he expects the organization to draft a new sanctions resolution against North Korea within days.

Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Qian Keming, asked at a news conference in Beijing about Trump’s tweets, said there was no link between the North Korea issue and China-U.S. trade.

Joe Thomas, a spokesman with the command, stressed Wednesday that the tests are done four times a fiscal year and are scheduled between three and five years in advance, and not done in response to any particular action from an adversary like North Korea.

CNN reported earlier in July that North Korea had sent a diesel-powered Romeo Class sub on an unprecedented patrol and had been outfitting its Gorae Sub with a possible missile launch demonstration tube.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles are guided rockets primarily created to carry nuclear warheads with travel arcs high enough to reach outer space.

Ejection tests from submarines usually gauge the ability to “cold launch” missiles, when high pressure steam is used to propel missiles out of launch canisters.