AUSTIN BAY: Ballistic Missile Defense Dependence Day. “Call this coming July Fourth Dependence Day — the day marking prudent and responsible America’s realization that we do indeed depend on the diplomatic power and technological capability of anti-missile defensive systems. . . . North Korea’s July Fourth ‘test’ is an overt threat to the United States and, in the context of Pyongyang’s threat to end the Korean War armistice, is arguably an act of ‘renewed war.’ That means we must prepare for offensive action. But defensive capability gives us other options, and in that light is a remarkably useful tool for protecting peace.”