The successful test of a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile is a boon for North Korea, the dream of a deployable nuclear weapon able to strike the continental United States is certainly not yet realized.
Key U.S. policy-makers including national security, military and diplomatic officials are meeting July 4 for an unplanned session to discuss the successful test of a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by North Korea. Pyongyang announced that it had achieved its goal of demonstrably testing an ICBM and data analysts confirmed that the North Korean assertion is indeed accurate. This puts Pyongyang one step closer to achieving its ambition of fielding a credible long-range nuclear delivery system. Although this is the most successful extended-range missile test so far for North Korea, the dream of a deployable nuclear weapon able to strike the continental United States is certainly not yet realized. There are a number of questions that must now be considered.
