North Korea has another frightening option in its escalating threats against the United States — the ability to fire a missile from a commercial ship off the U.S. coast, a decorated Navy commander says.
“Let’s face facts. They don’t need an intercontinental ballistic missile to launch an attack against the United States,’’ Admiral James Lyons Jr., former commander of the Navy Pacific Fleet, tells Newsmax TV’s “The Steve Malzberg Show.’’
“They can launch a missile from a commercial ship, which the Iranians have demonstrated and I’m sure that technology has been passed or sold back to North Korea.’’
Lyons — now CEO of Lion Associates, an international government consulting firm — believes now may be the time for the U.S. to take action against North Korea.
“A few years back, Former Defense Secretary [William] Perry said the best way to destroy a missile is while it’s on its launcher,’’ he said
“Since [North Korea is] in clear violation of UN sanctions, my position would be, destroy that launcher today ... That takes care of that threat. It also sends a very definite message to them.’’
Lyons told Steve Malzberg he believes the United States has been tipping its hand far too much in announcing what it may do in response to North Korea Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un’s blustery menacing.
“In announcing how we will retaliate, basically a tit for a tat … is to me is mind boggling. You never tell an enemy how you’re going to respond,’’ said Lyons, who’s Navy career spanned 36 years.
“You have to keep them off balance. You have to impart to them that should they step over the line, they’re going to suffer consequences far beyond what they ever expected.’’
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