On the Korean Peninsula this weekend, at the optimal time and place for North Korea to empower themselves as a nuclear power to the region and extradite the United States of America to come to their terms, there was no sixth North Korean nuclear test nor was there extended range threshold breaking North Korean ballistic missile launches. North Korea has backed down and all there was amongst the over-hype of North Korean rhetoric was a throwback vintage communist military parade showing advanced weapon systems that are not operational but look good in a parade as well as a self-detonated failed missile launch to save face for internal and external media consumption. China reluctantly must take credit and much credit goes to China for rationalizing the North Korean leadership to deescalate its tensions with the United States that if remained unchecked are leading to a catastrophic outcome on the Korean Peninsula.

In calculated anticipation of the showdown with North Korea this weekend, the vice president of the United States of America, Mike Pence, is on the Korean Peninsula with the Republic of Korea for their assurance and a direct strategic message that “the era of strategic patience is over” to North Korea. Vice President Pence linked the U.S. Military strikes in Syria and Afghanistan with the situation in Korea and warned North Korea not to test the resolve of the U.S. or the strength of our military forces”. Further Vice President Pence stated to North Korea “we will defeat any attack and we will meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective response,” adding “all options are on the table.” (Link to video from The Washington Post showing U.S. Vice President Mike Pence making statements in South Korea earlier today)

Deployed missile defense systems of both the United States and the Republic of Korea on and off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, in Japan with U.S. and Japanese missile defense systems and in U.S. territory in the Pacific with U.S. missile defense systems have given stability, thereby providing flexible options while provide protection of population that all together was integral in bringing forward a reprieve from North Korea in its escalation. This accumulative effort of missile defense systems deployed in the region in combination with significant U.S. resolve in offensive strikes on Syria and Afghanistan are adding significant pressure to China to resolve the North Korean problem.

This weekend demonstrated a tremendous victory and a tectonic shift in policy for the United States and for the world in backing down a rogue nation that is nuclear saber-rattling and escalating with intent and capability to hold nations and populations hostage to its demands.