North Korea’s launch of seven missiles demonstrated its capacity to generate geopolitical tension – but failed to show that it had advanced in its mastery of complex long-range missile technologies.

Pyongyang launched seven missiles, six one-stage devices. Though some of these may have reflected technological refinements, only one launch would have indicated that North Korea had made important strides: that of the three-stage Taepodong-2 missile, theoretically capable of reaching Alaska, Hawaii and even parts of the US mainland (see graphics).