Missile Defense | featured news

The U.S. is moving ground-to-air missile defenses to Hawaii after North Korea's recent moves to restart its nuclear weapon program.

Defense Secretary Gates began laying the groundwork for building up U.S. and allied military defenses should a diplomatic response to North Korea fail.

Japan says it will intercept and destroy any parts of a North Korean rocket that might fall on its territory.

North Korea announced its intention to launch the satellite in February. Regional powers worry the claim is a cover for the launch of a long-range missile capable of reaching Alaska. National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair said earlier this month that all indications suggest North Korea will in fact launch a satellite.

U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth said Saturday he wanted dialogue with North Korea but also spoke against the communist nation's move to launch a long-range missile, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

President Obama has told Russia that the United States might not proceed with a missile defense system in eastern Europe if Iran drops plans for producing nuclear weapons, senior administration officials said Tuesday.

The U.S. military is prepared to shoot down a North Korean missile or rocket if President Obama should give the order, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command said Thursday.