The late-night launch was unusual, as North Korea usually fires missiles soon after dawn. However, the North American Aerospace Defense Command “determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America,” Davis said. “My guess is that they want to show more range,” Lewis said, adding that North Korea was essentially calling the Pentagon’s bluff. The July 4 test, which violated United Nations resolutions against North Korea, was met with the usual rounds of international condemnation, but the world has not found a way to persuade North Korea to stop. The Trump administration, like the Obama administration before it, has said that North Korea must agree to freeze its weapons program before talks can begin.

Source: Washington Post July 28, 2017 15:40 UTC