THE NORK THREAT – AT 12:56 P.M. ET:   As our Iran policy changes, announced by the president yesterday, the North Koreans remain as the single greatest current threat to us.  From AFP:

North Korea is believed to be preparing to launch a ballistic missile ahead of an
upcoming joint naval drill by the US and South Korea, a news report said Saturday, citing a government source.

The US Navy said Friday that a US aircraft carrier will lead the drill in the coming week, a fresh show of force against North Korea as tensions soar over the hermit state's weapons programme.

The move will likely rile Pyongyang which has previously responded angrily to joint exercises.

The Donga Ilbo daily, quoting a government source, said satellite pictures show ballistic missiles mounted on launchers being transported out of hangars near Pyongyang and in the North Phyongan Province.

US and South Korean military officials suspect the North might be preparing to launch missiles capable of reaching US territory, the newspaper said.

This could be the Hwasong-14 inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), whose range could extend to Alaska, or Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missiles which Pyongyang threatened to fire towards the US Pacific territory of Guam in August, the report said.

COMMENT:  Very serious stuff.  At some point, Trump will have to retaliate strongly for a missile launch, especially if that launch directly threatens Guam.

It is not helpful when the Democrats refuse any support to Trump on his national-defense initiatives.  The message sent to our enemies is that we are a divided nation.

October 14, 2017