North Korea Unveils New Capability For US-Range Missile

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine for weapons reportedly capable of reaching the U.S. mainland and called it a significant development boosting his country’s strategic military arsenal.

While the test was in line with Kim’s stated goal of acquiring more agile, hard-to-detect missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies, some experts speculate North Korea’s claim may be an exaggeration.

Missiles with built-in solid propellants are easier to move and conceal their launches than liquid-fuel weapons, which in general must be fueled before liftoffs and cannot last long.

North Korean ICBMs, such as Hwasong-15 and Hwasong-17, have the range (approximately 6,200 miles) to strike continental U.S., including major cities like New York and Chicago. Hwasong-18 has reported range of over 9,000 miles.

The country’s 2025 military parade featured new, yet-to-be-tested ICBM, the Hwasong-20, described as its “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon.”

Flight time: A missile launched from Pyongyang could reach the U.S. capital in roughly 33 minutes.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of the top defense news of the last couple of days from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:

NATIONAL SECURITY

Trump listed five objectives U.S. wants to achieve before ending war with Iran. Now, one month into conflict, he has suggested U.S. may soon be “winding down” the operation, even though some key aims remain undefined or unfulfilled. (RELATED: Trump Signals Willingness To End Iran Conflict Without Securing Key Oil Route: Report)

Punish Russia for helping Iran target the U.S. military in the Persian Gulf. In second week of March, President Trump insisted Vladimir Putin wants to be “helpful” in Middle East.

DEFENSE POLITICS

War Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked promotions of four Army officers — two Black men and two women — to rank of brigadier general.

Federal judge issued a temporary injunction barring federal government from enforcing its declaration that Anthropic is supply-chain security risk, calling it illegal retaliation.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

Pentagon is planning for weeks of ground operations in Iran as U.S. forces amass in region, mostly for seizing or raiding islands and coastal installations.

USS Tripoli and its embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrive in Middle East.

U.S. has fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in four weeks of war with Iran, burning through the precision weapons at alarming rate and prompting discussions about how to make more available.

Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which had been deployed in operations against Iran, anchored in Croatia’s Adriatic port of Split for repairs and maintenance.

Why Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between U.S. and Iran.

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

Iran setting itself up as gatekeeper for Strait of Hormuz, world’s most important artery for oil shipments. Move is intended to cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its oil flowing to China. (RELATED: Yes, US Can Successfully Seize Iran’s Kharg Island)

Israel intercepted first incoming missile from Yemen as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entered the monthlong war in Middle East. U.S. Marines arrived in the region. And Pakistan said regional powers plan to meet Sunday to discuss how to end the fighting.

Ukraine offers Gulf allies drone defense in bid for scarce Patriot missiles. After years of trying to stop Iran-designed Shahed drones over its own cities, Ukraine now sending counter-drone teams to Gulf partners — and pitching help as trade between equals.

Ukraine agreed to cooperate on defense with UAE and Qatar as Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to both countries amid escalating tensions in the region.

Houthi missile attack on Israel stokes fears of renewed Red Sea shipping strikes and concern that Tehran’s proxies may again try to block that shipping route, as Iran’s chokehold on Strait of Hormuz keeps another key global trade passage virtually closed.

Ukraine-style warfare came to Lebanon this week as Hezbollah started posting video taken from its suicide drones colliding with Israeli tanks rolling into the south of the country.

Oil market is moving into demand destruction mode.

How countries are responding to rising oil prices.

CHINA THREAT

Japan sprinkles new advanced missiles across its islands and strategic locations to fend off China.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Price of U.S. security guarantees to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine became explicit this week: Kyiv must give up all of Donbas — about 10% of its territory, or about 15% of its prewar GDP.

Three Baltic states recorded drone incursions within roughly 48 hours this week, as Ukrainian strike drones targeting Russian Baltic port infrastructure were apparently diverted into NATO territory by Russian electronic warfare.

Role reversal: Ukraine moves training home and exports the lessons abroad. Ukraine’s military leadership plans to phase out sending troops abroad for basic training, saying much of what Western armies teach is “detached from our realities.”

SPACE THREATS

NASA says it is on track to launch its Artemis II mission in early April, a milestone that would send astronauts around Moon for first time in more than 50 years.

ARCTIC THREATS

Russia and China are challenging U.S. and allied presence in Arctic by expanding military and commercial activity around North Pole at time when U.S. military focus is on other parts of the world. (RELATED: Svalbard: The Other Arctic Island Flashpoint)

INTERNATIONAL

Pope Leo XIV will travel to four African countries on a 10-day tour, including a historic first visit to Algeria – marking first time a pope has set foot in the North African Muslim nation.

US MILITARY

U.S. needs to keep up as drone advances have transformed warfare. Iran is launching deadly drone strikes on U.S. forces and allies in Middle East. The same weapons have been used for years in Ukraine.

Space Command is operating small Program Management Office with about 20 personnel at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as part of phased relocation of its headquarters.

At request of some of its units, Army is looking to add “command and control on the move” capabilities to Infantry Squad Vehicles.

Army’s efforts to repurpose money from non-warfighting-related spending into weapons and training led to 15 horses from ceremonial units finding new mission patrolling southwest border with Customs and Border Protection.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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