I'll post my opinions later, just thought I'd throw this out for discussion

Dam waiting on those opinions

Joy, we got one of those insane protection treaties with Japan, do we not? We've already manuevered some of our Navy into the area, have we not?

Are we just hell bent on involving ourselves in almost every conflict on this planet?

maneuvered our Navy to there?

The 7th Fleet is out of Yokosuka, Japan. There is ALWAYS a carrier battle group in the South China Sea

For the first time ever Japan is activating it's missile defense system

EDIT: and we are still officialy at war with North Korea

U.S. Ready to Respond to N.Korea Missile
Admiral Keating Tells ABC News U.S. Prepared to Shoot Down Missile
By MARTHA RADDATZ and LAUREN SHER
Feb. 26, 2009—
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=6965611
In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Martha Raddatz, Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the U.S. Pacific Commands, said that the military is prepared to shoot down any North Korean ballistic missile -- if President Obama should give the order.

"If a missile leaves the launch pad we'll be prepared to respond upon direction of the president," Keating told ABC News. "I'm not a betting man but I'd go like 60/40, 70/30 that it will, they will attempt to launch a satellite. There's equipment moving up there that would indicate the preliminary stages of preparation for a launch. So I'd say it's more than less likely."

"Should it look like it's not a satellite launch -- that it's something other than a satellite launch -- we'll be ready to respond."

Intelligence reports suggest that North Korea is preparing a long-range missile test. Earlier this week, North Korea announced its plans to send a satellite into orbit as part of its space program.

However, many in the international community assert that North Korea's satellite test is simply a means of concealing a long-range missile test -- a move that would flare existing tension in the region.

Keating said that the military is ready to respond with at least five different systems: destroyer, Aegis cruiser, radar, space-based system and ground-based interceptor. All of these work in conjunction with one another to protect against any missile threat.

Destroyers are fast, multi-purpose warships that can be used in almost any type of naval operation. They would likely play a defensive role, helping to repel an air attack and offering a platform for gunfire and missiles to hit airborne objects.

The Aegis cruiser is part of the Navy's computer-based command and control system that integrates radar and missiles to fight against land, air and sea attacks. For Keating, the Aegis combat system can tracks threats and counter any short- or medium-range missiles.

Radars vary in type and design, but the military would likely employ a range of sea-based and early warning radars to detect the presence of a North Korean missile, track warheads' movement and more easily home in on the position of a missile to knock it down.

Space-based infrared system is a defense system that provides warning of any missile launches, detecting the threat and employing other tools to obliterate it.

Ground-based interceptor is a weapon that seeks and destroys incoming ballistic missiles outside of the earth's atmosphere. Its sensors give the military the ability to locate and obliterate a North Korean missile.

"We will be fully prepared to respond as the president directs," Keating said. "Everything that we need to be ready is ready. So that's ready twice in one sentence, but we're not kidding, it doesn't take much for us to be fully postured to respond."


Missile Launch a 'Stern Test' of Obama
In the U.S. arsenal is a "very sophisticated and complex, but effective ballistic missile-defense system," Keating says, which would provide a line of attack against any kind of ballistic missile or warhead that springs from a North Korean launch pad.

Ground-based interceptors, he says, will be able to take down an object other than a satellite. And while they have not moved ships into place yet, Keating says he is prepared to do so at a moment's notice.

Experts say that North Korea's announcement of its satellite launch is an attempt to put Pyongyang on President Obama's radar.

"It's a fairly stern test early of President Obama and his administration," Keating said.

Members of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of [North] Korea, a state body, chastised critics Thursday, saying it would retaliate against those who attempt to disrupt its satellite plan. Keating says the U.S. military is keeping a close eye on the launch pad, but does not want to jump the gun.

"We're intentionally being a little more cautious and a little more reserved as to not stimulate unnecessary activity in North Korea," he said. "We want to do no harm, if you will."

Nevertheless, Keating says that his priority first and foremost is defending the United States.

"If that means we detect a missile that is a threat to U.S. territory, then we are going to defend U.S. territory. And [if] we hit what we're aiming at that should be a source of great confidence and reassurance to our allies and partners."

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I misread, it says they are planning a shootdown.

The system we supplied them. So are they going to shoot it down? I thought it was against their laws to engage another country, thats why we remain there???? Im sorry if Im stupid!

So we are planning on shooting it down?

the whole world is waiting to see

Japan has said that as a practice they don't shoot down satellites. If they have the slightest fear its anything but a satellite they might

a possible war?

As far as N.Korea is concerned thats what a shootdown or other interference with their launch will mean.

we are already officially at war with North Korea. we signed a ceasefire with them but still are officially in a state or war

I thought it was never was declared a war but a police action??

it was a police action under the authority United Nations Resolution 82 and 83. those resolutions are still in effect

"On November 29, 1952, U.S. President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower fulfilled a campaign promise by going to Korea to find out what could be done to end the conflict. With the UN's acceptance of India's proposal for a Korean armistice, a cease-fire was established on July 27, 1953, by which time the front line was back around the proximity of the 38th parallel, and so a demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established around it, presently defended by North Korean troops on one side and by South Korean, American and UN troops on the other.

-wiki"

and as a reward for helping in Korea, Turkey was made a member of NATO (pissed off the Russians)