The missiles were launched off North Korea’s east coast. The test-firing merely is the latest in a long line of such tests. on July 4, North Korea fired seven missiles (310 mile-range) toward the Sea of Japan. Afterward, Japan’s Coast Guard reported that North Korea banned ships from its coast by a wide range, fueling speculation that the rogue state was preparing to launch more missiles. North Korea indeed test-fired several more missiles and conducted a nuclear test. At the time, South Korea said North Korea had about 700 short-range missiles similar to the ones fired.

North Korea also launched a ship called the Kang Nam, suspected of carrying banned weapons. After our country launched the U.S.S. John McCain to intercept the ship, the Kang Nam reversed course and return to where it set sail.

Traveling overseas, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton downplayed the missile tests.

(Photo credit: Vincent Yu/AP/File)

The Kang Nam’s destination is still a mystery, and no one knows why the ship changed course. According to the AP, our Navy had been following the ship at a distance. North Korea threatened war if its ships were stopped and inspected.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said that the U.S. was “more than willing to engage in negotiations to get North Korea on a path of peaceful coexistence with its neighbors…[b]ut belligerent, provocative behavior that threatens neighbors will be met with significant and serious enforcement of sanctions that are in place.”

(Photo credit: Vincent Yu/AP/File)

This month, North Korea conducted a nuclear test and fired at least five short-range missiles. A ship called the Kang Nam, which was headed to Myanmar, was suspected of carrying banned weapons. North Korea threatened to attack Hawaii and hinted at more aggressive actions if its ships were stopped and searched. The U.S. sent the destroyer U.S.S. John McCain to intercept the ship.

The launch of short- and medium-range missiles, and not the long-range Taepodong-2, seems to indicate that Hawaii won’t be attacked. If North Korea goes foward with its long-range missile launch, the U.S. will deploy a missile intercept and radar system to Hawaii to shoot down the missile.

Is North Korea that stupid? The rogue state’s been pretty bold so far.

North Korea also accused South Korea of colluding with the U.S. in its scheme. According to state-run newspaper Tongil Sinbo: “The US-touted provision of ‘extended deterrence, including a nuclear umbrella’ (for South Korea ) is nothing but ‘a nuclear war plan.’” The paper said the U.S. was bringing “nuclear equipment” into South Korea .

Of course, these accusations are a subterfuge, and a poor one at that. North Korea is conducting nuclear tests and launching missiles despite international sanctions and disapproval. North Korea has threatened more nuclear tests and long-range missile launches. North Korea declared that if any country searched its ships suspected of carrying nuclear weapons, it would be considered an act of war. Sources reported that North Korea may be planning to attack Hawaii. North Korea clearly is the aggressor in these scenarios, and our president would do well not to be deterred by the rogue nation’s posturing.

Last week, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said the U.S. intended to “vigorously enforce” U.N. sanctions against North Korea. To prepare for aggressive action, our country sent the U.S.S. John McCain to intercept the Kang Nam (pictured above) off the coast of China. The Associated Press reports that the flagged ship may be sailing toward Myanmar with banned weapons.

(Photo credit: Vincent Yu/AP/File)

“Without telegraphing what we will do,” Gates said, “I would just say I think we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect American territory.”

Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said the U.S. intends “to vigorously enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874″ and search North Korean ships suspected of carrying weapons. As we noted earlier this week, North Korea has threatened retaliation if its ships are stopped and searched. What will happen if the rogue state refuses our requests? Mullen said the U.S. could “direct it to go into a port, and the country of that port would…inspect the vessel.”

What are our options if North Korea chooses to escalate if its ships are stopped? Mullen didn’t answer the question directly. He reiterated that the U.N. Security Council’s resolution speaks for the international community and its commitment to contain North Korea.

“It’s not just the United States, it’s a lot of other countries as well. And the north’s steps to further isolate itself, to further noncomply with international guidance and regulations, in the long-run, puts them in a more difficult position.”

FOX News reports that the U.S. will send the U.S.S. John McCain to intercept a flagged North Korean ship that may have weapons aboard. The navy destroyer will intercept the Kang Nam when it leaves a location off China’s coast.