“Every day that goes by makes North Korea a more dangerous country,” John Bolton said at CSIS. “When does it become too late? Today is better than tomorrow. Tomorrow is better than the next day.”

“We have been been given a lawful order by the president to respond to this crisis on the border and we’re doing that,” a Pentagon official said.

Concerns over a new Okinawa airfield, and how to get Marines across vast swaths of ocean, are complicating American plans to spread forces across the Pacific.

“DoD is a customer like any other, with a future need for servicing its own satellites to extend mission life,” says Astroscale US President Ron Lopez.

The Transportation Department is working closely with DoD, DHS and other agencies “to address policy and technical issues including the security and resilience of GPS receivers,” says General Counsel Steven Bradbury.

Japan plans to host an American Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sensor payload on their QZSS satellites. American and Japanese officials are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding by the end of the year.

The most profound change resulting from China’s military modernization has been in its space capabilities. Back in 2000 China only had 10 satellites in orbit, and this year it will launch more satellites than any other nation on the planet.

“Getting alongside a vessel under the cover of darkness to attach a mine underway is not an insignificant effort,” Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs said today.

The Center for Strategic & Budgetary Assessments has some new ideas for how even relatively poor allies can help keep the peace in the Pacific.

The deal for hundreds of new F-35s will drive the cost per airplane below $80 million for the first time.