NORTH KOREA READIES MISSILE - AT 5:38 A.M. ET:  From The New York Times:

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has placed a long-range missile on a launch pad before a test that the United States, Japan and South Korea said would violate a United Nations Security Council resolution, a news report said Thursday.

Spy satellites detected what looked to be a Taepodong-2 missile in place Tuesday at the Musudan-ri launch site near North Korea’s northeastern coast, said Chosun Ilbo, South Korea’s leading daily, quoting an unidentified diplomatic source.

COMMENT:  This could be the first serious foreign test of the Obama administration.  The North Koreans have a history of flouting resolutions and treaties, so this doesn't come as a complete shock.  The key here will be whether President Obama stands with our South Korean and Japanese allies, or snubs them, as he's seemed to snub other allies in his first two months as president.  Another element to watch is the behavior of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was supposed to be the centrist in this administration.  If the missile is launched, and especially if it flies near or over Japan, it will be seen as an extreme provocation.  Will the Japanese attempt to intercept the missile?  Will we?  Will we punish the North Koreans?  Or will we call for more "engagement"?

March 26, 2009