Missile defense

The threats coming from North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, continued with another test of its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. The North Koreans claim their missiles can now hit targets in the continental United States. In light of these threats it is appropriate for the U.S. Department of Defense to continue testing and improving missile defense systems to protect the U.S. from attack. The threats are fodder for the media as they emphasize the threats without putting it all in context.

During the Cold War the threat of a nuclear war between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. was constant. The world was protected because both countries understood that an attack by one would be met with a retaliatory strike by the other. The result of these attacks would be total destruction with radiation continuing to kill those who survived the massive blasts from the numerous strikes. The leaders of both countries understood this and the threat of nuclear war was contained by what was referred to as mutually assured destruction (MAD). Based on his history we cannot expect Kim Jong-un to act rationally, but we also cannot overreact to statements and threats from North Korea's national leader with our own hollow threats.

Consider that we have no evidence that North Korea has developed a nuclear warhead which could be carried by an ICBM. Secondly, any warhead must be able to survive the stresses of reentry. There is also the question of whether the North Koreans have developed guidance systems to control the missile and keep it on course to its target.

Lastly, in case Kim does not understand what retaliation would mean for North Korea, it should be clearly stated that the use of any nuclear weapon against the U.S. will result in a retaliatory strike using the complete arsenal of U.S. weapons. The use of nuclear weapons in an attack on the U.S. will not be met with a proportional response. The media talks about reports of North Korea developing an ICBM without mentioning what type of response the U.S. could deliver to a nuclear attacker.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He lives in Chaffee, Missouri