Here’s the thing. I was told in no uncertain terms that Obama’s flip flops are “for the public good” and “a stark contrast to… Bush’s inflexibility.” It was explained to me – at length – that he’s a Machiavellian pragmatist. So how come this doesn’t spur him to change his position on missile defense the way he’s reversed himself on, say, homosexual civil rights?
North Korea may be able to overcome technical difficulties and assemble a missile capable of hitting West Coast cities within three years, a top Defense Department official said Tuesday, but it is unlikely to be able to deliver a nuclear warhead in that time frame. The U.S. assessment came as North Korea’s rulers show signs of preparing for additional weapons tests in the face of international condemnation and new United Nations sanctions. The estimate of three to five years was provided in congressional testimony by Marine Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who previously oversaw America’s nuclear forces as head of Strategic Command. It follows North Korea’s most recent tests, including a nuclear detonation last month and a multistage missile launch in April that indicated progress but also highlighted flaws in the country’s technology.
You know what would really suck? If North Korea had recently stated that they intend to use their nukes offensively, only months after Obama banned our cutting-edge radar from monitoring their missile launch lest it “provoke” them.
References:
* Obama’s Flip-Flops for the Public Good [AP]
* Obama puts pragmatism over promises [LAT]
* U.S. may be within N. Korea missile range in 3 years, official warns [LAT]
* North Korea: Actually, We’re Thinking About Using Our Nukes Offensively [MR]
* Obama Banned Cutting-Edge Radar From Monitoring NK Launch Because It Would "Provoke" Them [MR]
Previously:
* Assad Was Planning To Use Nukes Against Israel (Plus: The Totally Awesome IAF Commando Operation That Slowed Him Down)
* Syrian Nuke Site Was Vulnerable Because It Was Too Secret For Syria To Protect
* Obama’s Decision To Join UN Human Rights Council Buys Zero Cooperation On North Korea
