US, Other Nations Condemn North Korean Launch of Long-Range Rocket

North Korea launched a satellite into orbit around the earth. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting and condemned the launch. “U.S. officials have said the same type of rocket used to launch today's satellite could deliver a nuclear warhead,” reports CNN. “China, the Soviet Union and the United States have all used intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, to launch satellites in the past,” including space programs. North Korea may have 100 nuclear weapons, and Australia, parts of Europe and the United States, as well as Asia are in range. The United States wants to toughen sanctions on the isolated regime but China with the most leverage is cautious: An abrupt political or economic downturn for its neighbor could prompt a destabilizing refugee crisis. China must also worry about a stronger US role in the region in moving to assist Japan and South Korea with defense, including installation of a high-altitude missile-defense system. – YaleGlobal