Defense Secretary James Mattis said Thursday that while he has military options ready to counter any nuclear threat from North Korea, the effort to prevent the situation from escalating is being "diplomatically led."
Following missile launches by North Korea last month, United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley was able to get a unanimous U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the country's tests and sanctions, and "that didn't just happen by accident," Mattis told reporters. His responsibility is to "have military options if needed," and while the U.S. is "ready" to take on any threat from North Korea, he added, he won't share any details. "I'm not going to tell the enemy what we're going to do."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'This failure to reach out to the entire 9/11 community is unacceptable'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Today's political cartoons - September 11, 2024Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - a toast to climate change, a door unhinged, and more
-
Apollo 13: Survival – a 'real, rare and breathtaking tale of survival'The Week Recommends Netflix documentary includes 'remarkable' archival footage from near-disastrous moon mission
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs saySpeed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign portSpeed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'Speed Read
