Major escalation as North Korea conducts another powerful nuclear test, its sixth since 2006. According to the regime, this involved a “two-stage thermonuclear weapon” with “unprecedented strength” and could be loaded onto the type of intercontinental ballistic missile that North Korea has tested in recent weeks, with more predicted to follow. Meanwhile, South Korea rolls out full deployment of the American THAAD missile defence system on its northern border and the country's Prime Minister acknowledges "The situation is very grave. It doesn't seem much time is left before North Korea achieves its complete nuclear armament". So, as international tensions ratchet up ever more, so too does pressure on Donald Trump. Frustrated by the lack of effective action by the UN, more than once has President Trump promised 'fire and fury' and continues to rule out the threat of military action. In all cases, if worst came to worst, whether due to miscalculation, accid...
