U.S. President Donald Trump's surprisingly restrained reaction to North Korea's latest ballistic missile test has left many observers wondering what his next move will be. Trump has publicly declared that North Korea's goal of developing a nuclear-capable missile that can reach the United States "won't happen." But what, specifically, will he do to prevent it?
Some might advise the Trump administration to launch pre-emptive strikes on North Korea's nuclear facilities. But this is a dangerous and ineffective option, because North Korea would then likely retaliate against South Korea. South Koreans do not want to risk a war, so a U.S.-provoked attack by North Korea would be catastrophic for the U.S.-South Korean alliance.
Moreover, North Korea recently developed missiles with solid-fuel engines, which can be stowed away until just before they are launched, making it technically difficult to identify the right targets — and the right times to strike them.