Many years have passed since the United States last held serious negotiations with North Korea. During this time, North Korea has tested and built numerous missiles and nuclear weapons, conducting five nuclear tests since 2006.
Still, North Korea does not yet have a working long-range missile that can reach the United States. But as Pyongyang grows ever closer to that capability, the story has been: “Not to worry. North Korea may develop such missiles, but they won’t get through U.S. missile defenses.”
Comparable statements continue to be made by senior officials, conveying a misleading sense of security to the American people. Most recently, General Lori J. Robinson, the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, informed the U.S. Senate that “I am extremely confident of our capability to defend the United States of America and be able to intercept an ICBM should it reach our homeland.”
