The Washington Times:
Defense Secretary James Mattis tried to turn down the temperature Thursday on the confrontation over North Korea’s first successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, saying the move had not pushed the U.S. closer to the brink of war while warning Pyongyang that it risked “severe consequences” if it continued down the path toward a long-range nuclear weapon.
Defense Department and private analysts were blindsided by Pyongyang’s July 4 test of its first intercontinental ballistic missile, whose range is calculated to be able reach the entire state of Alaska.
But following strong condemnations Wednesday by President Trump and Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, Mr. Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, arrived unannounced at the Pentagon press briefing room Thursday to deliver a more tempered conclusion.
“I do not think this capability, in and of itself, brings us closer to war,” Mr. Mattis said of the launch of the Hwasong-14 missile, which flew higher and farther than any previous North Korean missile.
“The president’s been very clear, the secretary of state’s been very clear, that we are leading with diplomatic and economic efforts,” Mr. Mattis said…
