Ex-CIA, NSA Director Hayden: NK 'Intent' on 'Capable' Nuke

North Korea is intent on getting a "capable" nuclear weapon — and will not come to the negotiating table until it gets to that point, former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden said Tuesday.

In an interview on CNN's "The Lead," the former four-star Air Force general said North Korea's latest nuclear missile test is "the least provocative test they could conduct and still meet their operational needs."

"Although there is probably some messaging involved in this missile launch, this is part of a testing program," he said. "They are intent on getting to this place, the capable missile, the capable weapon, and I don't think they're going to be willing to talk until they get to that place — and then after that we'll see what develops."

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, however, was less sanguine.

"In a very short order, North Korea will have the capability of dropping thermal nuclear warheads on any target it wants in the United States," Bolton told Fox News' "Your World."

"You can put all this happy talk about diplomacy with North Korea, waiting for China to do something . . ." he said. "Will be live with a nuclear North Korea or will be use military force? That is going to be the choice . . ."

He added "China knows a lot more about what goes on and North Korea than we do" and "they have continued to play us" even after President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing.

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