PLEASE DO BUSINESS WITH THOSE WHO DO BUSINESS WITH US -- OUR ADVERTISERS.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEB PORTAL. PLEASE TELL A FRIEND.

YOU can speak out and be heard by having your own "Column" - Visit the "Public Opinion" Section above.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OUR SOURCES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN MAKING US AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE NEWS INFORMATION PORTAL.

ATTENTION TALK SHOW HOSTS: We are honored that many radio talk show hosts use our Web Portal for their "show prep." We would appreciate your occasional mention of our site to your audience. Thanks!

ADVERTISEMENT: If you want to advertise your business or Web Site, send us an email by clicking on "Contact" above. It could be the best business decision you make.

ABC Online Canada National Post Daily Telegraph The Observer Wired News Xinhua News

VOA VIEW -- Is the opinion of "Voice of Americans", which is a private entity not affiliated in any way with the United States government or any of its agencies. The opinions expressed here, in whatever medium or format, are not necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site - 0415.

      The U.S. Defense Department identified North Korea as a "persistent threat" in a new security update, warning that the isolated regime has developed the capability to use nuclear weapons at "any stage of conflict."  NK is the biggest nuclear threat and should be stepped on like the bug they are.

     The assessment came in the Pentagon's new Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction  WMD document, seeing its first update since 2014, singled out China as the pacing challenge and named Russia as an acute threat. Iran and violent extremist organizations were also identified as persistent threats to obtain and use WMDs.  "The DPRK is developing and fielding mobile short-, intermediate-, and intercontinental range nuclear capabilities that place the U.S. homeland and regional Allies and partners at risk," the strategy document said.

     The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the official name of North  Korea.  "Capability developments provide the DPRK with options for nuclear weapons use at any stage of conflict," the update cautioned.  North Korea has prioritized its nuclear and ballistic missile programs over the past two years, conducting weapons tests at a record-setting pace and unveiling new platforms such as an alleged nuclear tactical attack submarine earlier this month.

     Last year, the North officially declared itself a nuclear state with the right to launch preemptive strikes.  Pyongyang's rubber-stamp parliament announced that the growth of its nuclear arsenal was now a "basic law of the state."  The updated strategy comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un returned from a six-day visit to Russia last week, with concerns growing that Moscow and Pyongyang are working on a weapons deal.  The White House has said that Russia wants to acquire artillery and other munitions for its war in Ukraine, while North Korea is believed to be seeking advanced technology for its space and missile programs.  Pyongyang failed at two attempts to place a military spy satellite into orbit this year and has announced it will make another launch in October.