Wrestling With North Korea, Trump Finds Perilous Optionsbr If the United States was prepared to go beyond a limited strike, it could conduct a surprise attack on North Korea’s missile garrisonbr and weapon storage areas, using American aircraft stationed in Guam, in Japan and on aircraft carriers as well as strategic bombers that would be refueled in flight.br Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson sought to head off North Korea’s missile program this week by suggestingbr that the United States could open talks with Pyongyang if North Korea would halt its missile tests.br Mr. Graham asserted that diplomatic efforts would fail unless the United States made clearbr that North Korea’s deployment of an intercontinental missile would cross a “red line” and that military options were available if the talks falteredbr President Trump has made clear that his goal is to deny North Korea the capabilitybr to field a long-range nuclear-tipped missile that could strike the United States.br The United States could try a similar approach: attacking North Korea’s missiles while warning Mr. Kimbr that his government would be the next target if he dared to strike back.br Unless China believes the United States is serious about using military options to head off North Korea’s emergingbr missile threat, it may be difficult to gain the cooperation from Beijing needed to fashion a political solution.