Figuring out how to respond to a North Korea that is capable of striking the Unites States will be at the top of Gen. John Hyten’s to-do list if he is confirmed to command US Strategic Command. “It’s hard to tell exactly what they’re going to do,” he told the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. “The unpredictability is the hardest thing to deter. How do you deter somebody or something that is unpredictable? It’s very difficult.” Hyten said North Korea’s missile programs appear to be in the early stages of development, but “it’s a matter of if, not when,” they will be able to reach the United States with nuclear weapons. He said he believes integrated capabilities of space, cyber, and conventional forces will be an essential element of deterrence against North Korea in the future. He also said the military should review the number of missile defense interceptors in place.
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.