JAPAN PREPARES - AT 7:16 A.M. ET: 

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's military mobilized Friday to protect the country from any threat if North Korea's looming rocket launch fails, ordering two missile-equipped destroyers to the Sea of Japan and sending batteries of Patriot missile interceptors to protect the northern coastline.

Pyongyang plans to launch its Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite April 4-8, a moved that has stoked already heightened tensions in the region. The U.S., Japan and South Korea suspect the North will use the launch to test the delivery technology for a long-range missile capable of striking Alaska.

Japan has said that it will shoot down any dangerous objects that fall its way if the launch doesn't go off successfully. Tokyo, however, has been careful to say that it will not intervene unless its territory is in danger.

COMMENT:  The U.S. also has sent ships equipped with anti-missile systems into the area.  This will be a tense period, and a test of how President Obama handles a deliberately provocative action by a hostile nation.  You may be sure that the Iranians, Russians, Chinese, and even the Venezuelans will be watching to see if Mr. Obama has the spine to match the mouth.

March 27, 2009