North Korea attempted to launch another ballistic missile last week, but the test failed. A presumed Musadan intermediate-range ballistic missile was launched near the northwestern city of Kusong on Oct. 14, but failed, US Strategic Command announced Saturday. Last week, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel told reporters the US government is working to tighten existing United Nations sanctions and implement a new one in light of recent ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests. A number of the ballistic missile tests have failed. The Red Flag exercise underway in Alaska will include a drill in which US and Republic of Korea forces simulate an attack on North Korean nuclear facilities, the Korea Times reported.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
