The Pentagon has delayed a long-planned intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test for a second time amid increased tension with China over Taiwan, the White House confirmed on Thursday.
The Air Force initially planned to conduct the Minuteman III test launch this week, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, adding that postponing the event is “the responsible thing to do” in order to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China’s show of force near Taiwan.
“As China engages in destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, the United States is demonstrating instead the behavior of a responsible nuclear power by reducing the risks of miscalculation and misperception,” Kirby said….