How the Next Korean War Might Look

With its latest test of the Hwasong-14, North Korea demonstrated at least a rudimentary capability to launch a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile. At the extreme estimates of its range, the missile has the ability to strike parts of the western United States. More tests and developments will be necessary to increase the Hwasong-14's range, payload and re-entry system, and questions remain about North Korea's ability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon and make it rugged enough to mount on the missile. Even so, Pyongyang is clearly well on its way to realizing its goal of a long-range nuclear weapons capability. This is a three-part series examining the implications of this development for the U.S. relationship with North Korea.