File photo shows a North Korean soldier saluting in front of the Unha-3 rocket at Sohae Satellite Station. North Korea has vowed to launch a ‘preemptive’ nuclear strike against the US to defend itself in the event that Washington ignites a nuclear war. “Since the United States is about to ignite a nuclear war, we will be exercising our right to preemptive nuclear attack against the headquarters... 

Washington claims the shield is meant to protect against Iran, but Moscow knows its about undermining Russia’s military deterrence. Russia’s top military officer has threatened to carry out a pre-emptive strike if Washington goes ahead with its plan to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. The Obama administration has been pushing for a deal to build missile defense facilities...