Bebeto Matthews / AP
The tensions between North Korea and the U.S. are rising, leading to a reconfiguration of how the U.S. will respond to their continued threats.
- During the U.N. Security Council's emergency meeting on North Korea today, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said "actions are quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution."
- The U.S. is ready to fight. The top American military commander in South Korea, General Vincent Brooks, echoed Haley's remarks in a statement today. "Self restraint, which is a choice, is all that separates armistice and war. We are able to change our choice when so ordered.…It would be a grave mistake for anyone to believe anything to the contrary."
- Why now: North Korea confirmed it successfully launched an ICBM and that one of the two missiles it used was previously unknown to the U.S. — both events suggest its nuclear capabilities are more advanced than the U.S. thought.