““The United States and Japan are preparing to shoot down the missiles if they fly over Japanese territory or are aimed at U.S. bases in the region,” said one official.”
This is what bugs me. Why the condition? Why don’t we tell them that anything leaving the ground and going up will be shot down. It is MUCH, MUCH, easier to shoot these things down at the beginning of their ride, than trying to hit them at Mach 10 (or whatever) as they prepare to strike a (hopefully Blue) city.
“...Why don’t we tell them that anything leaving the ground and going up will be shot down...”
I read you alright. The following third paragraph from the article:
“The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in addition to the 2,500-mile-range Musudans the North Koreans could conduct test firings of several 620-mile-range Nodong missiles and shorter-range Scuds simultaneously as a way to thwart U.S. missile defenses.”
Ahh, crafty Norks! They anticipated that move.
-— This is what bugs me. Why the condition? ——
I’m with you.
But worse than that, do you have any confidence that Zippy would retaliate against a first strike?
I think he’d celebrate, in private. This time he’ll be smart enough to appear in a meeting, in the aftermath. He’ll look very concerned.