Daniel R. Russel: “The United States' best days are behind us; and that is simply not true.”

The short answer, Senator Markey, is yes. We are concerned lest there be an escalatory cycle on the Korean Peninsula.

We entirely agree. And I think that as frustrated and unhappy as all of us are at North Korea's ability to continue to develop its missile and its nuclear programs, the scorecard of the administration shows very significant successes in…

I think that this is a classic case of Beijing seeking to exploit the inherent rights and freedoms of maritime user states in UNCLOS, without accepting the limitations and the responsibilities of UNCLOS members.

We continue to make clear to the North that we are ready at any time to engage in credible negotiations on denuclearization.