By Anthony Brooks:

Whether or not North Korea goes ahead with an apparent plan to test-launch a long-range missile, the threat to do so is escalating international tensions from Pyongyang to Tokyo to Washington.

Chief among the fears is that the test-launch could move the isolated Stalinist regime one step closer to being able to hit the U.S. with a nuclear warhead. The U.S. says the test would be a provocation, while hinting that the missile could be shot-down.

The crisis is shining a spotlight on the Bush Administration’s policy toward North Korea. Pyongyang wants direct talks with Washington and security guarantees. Washington calls the Pyongyang regime part of the access of evil, and refuses bilateral negotiations.

Is North Korea’s missile-threat a gathering nuclear crisis or bluff?

Guests:

Glenn Kessler, Diplomatic Correspondent for the Washington Post

Robert Hewson, correspondent for Jane’s Defense Weekly

Ashton Carter, co-Director of the Preventive Defense Project at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government

Peter Beck, Director of the Northeast Asia Project for the International Crisis Group

Donald Gregg, former ambassador to South Korea