Things are heating up.



North Korea launches ballistic missile

Washington (CNN)North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Wednesday local time, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

CNN confirmed the launch with the South Korean military leaders who said it was still flying.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile early this morning from Pyongsong, South Pyongan, to the east direction. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff is analyzing more details of the missile with the US side," said an official at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

US defense and intelligence officials had been growing increasingly puzzled as to why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had not tested a ballistic missile in nearly two months.

Before Wednesday's test, North Korea had fired 22 missiles without active warheads during 15 tests since February. US officials say North Korea is continuing to develop its missiles, rocket fuel and engines, as well as targeting and guidance systems.

The US believes Pyongyang may be able to put a miniaturized warhead on a missile sometime in 2018 -- giving it the theoretical capability to launch a missile with a warhead atop that could attack the US.

Missile was in the air for ~35 minutes so this one had some range on it. It was launched at a high trajectory, but on a lower trajectory may have been able to strike Hawaii.

I think the proper US response here would be to encourage South Korea and Japan to start their own nuclear programs. Not so that they actually develop a weapon, but because the threat of that would be enough for China to step in and get North Korea into line. South Korean and Japanese nuclear weapons would put an end to Chinese aspirations of hegemony. As a result, they would put an end to North Korea's threats if those threats led to SK or Japanese nuclear programs. As it stands now, China has no motivation to step in as they only see North Korea as a thorn in our side, but if it pushes others in East Asia to nuclearize, then they suddenly have incentive to put an end to an arms race.

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“When I walked in this morning, and saw the flag was at half mast, I thought 'alright another bureaucrat ate it.'" - Ron Swanson

I dunno... if anything, Rocket Man wants to protect his family legacy. Seeing his two closest geographical rivals start up nuclear programs might not be enough of a deterrent.

Oh no! North Korea launched another scary rocket! We are all going to die!

AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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IT IS OFFICIALLY TIME TO PANIC!
DO NOT REMAIN CALM!
DO NOT MOVE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION!

That will not deter him, but it will raise China's alarm bells to the point that they step in and push North Korea to cut it out. China can completely isolate North Korea economically and cut off their energy.

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“When I walked in this morning, and saw the flag was at half mast, I thought 'alright another bureaucrat ate it.'" - Ron Swanson

Launching a missle is one thing ... launching one that's armed has been most difficult for those cats. Keep in mind this achievement was achieved by the rest of the world in he fifties, so it's not groundbreaking other than in context of who it's new to.

That said, have they launched from a sub before, or is this a first for them?


edit: nvrmnd ... not a sub launch.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

My understanding is they've launched multiple missles with live warheads already during tests, no?

Kim Jong Un will never do a damn thing. All he's interested in is throwing parades for himself, stuffing his fat face with cheese, and watching NBA basketball. He lives a good life.

This is the correct response

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

China has a great PR opportuinty here to be the worlds good guy.

Take out kim, replace him with a puppet or a dummy regime. At least this will get food to their people. And maybe open the country up better than what it is now. Trump will boast how great China’s president is and all the world will be thankful.

Collusion with "Rocket Man" to distract from tax bill /gov't shutdown...

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Maybe Rocket Man should shoot a missile at the kneeling players! NFL losing viewers ! Sad !

Welcome back. Were you in a coma during baseball season?

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest