You know, there is only one reason that the Obama administration has a saber to rattle right now: George W. Bush. Had Bush not pushed – hard – for missile defense development, Obama would have nothing right now.
It appears that North Korea may be trying to launch a ballistic missile toward Hawaii. The US is hinting that it just might respond forcefully to such a move by shooting down any missile.
Reacting to reports that North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a missile toward Hawaii, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday that he had ordered additional assets deployed to shore up defense of the islands.
Gates ordered the deployment of a powerful sea-based radar system that can help closely track the path of intercontinental ballistic missiles and also sent terminal-phase missile interceptors to Hawaii.
The comments may be intended to deter North Korea from attempting another long-range missile launch and to reassure allies that the United States is willing to act to prevent a successful test by the government in Pyongyang.
According to reports in Japanese media, the North Koreans appear to be preparing for their next long-range test around July 4. Experts believe that because the last long-range missile test failed, Pyongyang has more to prove and may see as another test as necessary.
Although Gates did not explicitly say that the U.S. would try to shoot down a test missile aimed in the direction of Hawaii, he noted that interceptor missiles in California and Alaska were ready.
“The ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action,” Gates said. “So without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say, I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary to protect American territory.”
Don’t be surprised if this one goes very, very badly for North Korea. The Chinese appear to be making noises that they are nearing the end of their patience with Pyongyang on this sort of thing. We can hope.
If Obama has any say in this the Missle defense will not be used. He will put his faith in the UN and sanctions.
I’m betting that not only will the North Koreans go ahead with their launch but it WILL be in the direction of Hawaii, right over and through Japanese airspace and that Obama will do NOTHING because the missile doesn’t have the range to actually reach Hawaii (range is about 4000 mi., distance from launch point to closest Hawaiian Island is about 4500 mi.) so he’ll say there was no real threat. The question is, what will the JAPANESE do if he fires a missile through their airspace? That might be interesting to watch.