'Act of Provocation'

" But we begin with a Fox News alert North Korea continues to defy international opposition firing seven scud type missiles. -- source inside South Korea tells Fox News the missiles launched today. Our old style scuds they have no nuclear capability but they do have a range of about 310 miles that could hit various targets in the south. Both Japan and South Korea have labeled the launches as provocative. The US State Department is urging the North Korean regime not to aggravate tensions in the region calling the missile launches quote. Not helpful perhaps an understatement. When it comes to foreign affairs few people can claim the expertise of my next guest John Bolton is the former US ambassador to the United Nations and he joins me now. Quick question -- the north Koreans upped to does anybody have any idea here."

" Well it's always speculation that these people but they're doing several things they're showing they have this capability they're warning the South Koreans and the Japanese that they've got it. And they're probably testing these missiles even other shorter medium term range. Testing and to see if they can one point fit -- nuclear warhead inside the nose -- I don't -- to be an expert but -- Agricole scud missiles are notoriously inaccurate to think that that's for sure but remember the north Koreans and Iran have been testing and improving scud missiles for many years so that. What they're doing is showing this capability is real and that they can launch and land these missiles where they want."

" In the short term short range missiles are are of concern but the bigger concern is of course whether or not North Korea can mount a long range missile strike what do we know about that."

" But -- a lot of speculation in South Korea that we could see another Taepodong two launch that's their Intercontinental ballistic missile it can't yet. I reach the United States at least we think but that's part of their testing program each time they test. They learn a little bit more they develop more capabilities and it's why we should be very concerned about those -- the other day they were launching missiles out into the C what was that about. Well that could be to show the South Korean and the US navy's not to get too close to North Korean -- and over tailing. One North Korean ships suspected of carrying. Weapons back to North -- and I wanna warn us back a little bit as my guests are now all of this begs the larger question that is -- to the north Koreans really want -- they wanna be a world power they wanna project dominance in the region or are they simply just -- for our attention. And ultimately what do they ask for that's the case I think the fundamental bottom line for Kim Jong Il and his regime is to stay in power and they use their nuclear weapons their ballistic missiles there are other. Weapons supplies to get revenue and and to show that that they do have the power to threaten others but it's a different situation in Iran although they work very closely together. How difficult is it though to get to the step where you -- a nuclear weapon. With a sophisticated -- it's a very complex that we don't think I underline the word think the north Koreans can do it yet but here I come back to the cooperation between. Iran and North Korean lot of very sophisticated scientists in Iran we know they're working together on their missile and probably on there nuclear weapons programs. So I look at every one of these missile launches is one more step in the progress North Korea and Iran are making and and why we need to be concerned about both of them what do you think the administration should do right now the Obama administration about this. Well I think with respect to North Korea. Stepping up the pressure remains the thing to do we've got the proliferation security initiative from the Bush Administration. The Obama administration has resumed pressuring North Korea financially that's a positive step. Forward we need to do war with China China has unique leverage over North Korea either to change that regime were to change their behavior we have not done that sufficiently. -- the Chinese and Chinese acting in good faith as far as you can tell. I think they're acting schizophrenic -- I I also I take them at their word they don't want North Korea with nuclear weapons but they're not doing what they need to do. To turn that around and and the fact is as long as North Korea has those weapons Japan South Korea may be others have an incentive to get into ours our are. How concerned ultimately should -- office. Well I think we should be very concerned not just because of North Korea's threat in northeast Asia although there's plenty -- reason to be concerned there and the longer term possibility of reaching the United States. North Korea is a major threat in the Middle East as well because of its cooperation with Iran Syria and others. That's where the immediate danger comes from in my view John -- interview with respect you very much thank you."