Asia/Pacific

President Obama called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday to discuss North Korea’s recent nuclear test and reaffirm the U.S. security relationship with Tokyo.

Obama and Abe “pledged to work closely together to seek significant action at the United Nations Security Council and to cooperate on measures aimed at impeding North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs,” according to a White House readout of the call.

“President Obama reaffirmed that the United States remains steadfast in its defense commitments to Japan, including the extended deterrence offered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella,” the White House added.

President Barack Obama announced he would be slashing in half the total number of American troops in Afghanistan, down to just over 30,000, as part of the White House's efforts to end the over decade-long war by 2014. 

President Obama threatened repercussions, but experts warned there's really not much the United States can do about it.

President Obama and South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak condemned the "highly provocative violation of North Korea’s international obligations."

The president will detail his plan during Tuesday’s State of the Union address, according to a senior White House official.

Obama called the latest nuclear test a “threat to U.S. national security and to international peace and security.”

Ros-Lehtinen said a North Korea video showing the nuclear destruction of a U.S. city “illustrates Pyongyang’s hostile intentions."

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), an advocate for missile defense, accused the White House of being in a "dream-like trance."

The State Department's special envoy on North Korea ended a week-long trip to northeast Asia on Monday with an unusually stark warning about the repercussions of the reclusive country moving forward with plans to test a nuclear weapon.

Glyn Davies issued the warning in Japan after meeting with officials in China and South Korea as part of a U.S. delegation initially aimed at renewing diplomatic engagement. Those plans were scrapped, however, after North Korea vowed Thursday to conduct another nuclear test and threatened the United States in retaliation for a new round of U.N. sanctions.

“We came out to the region [hoping to find a way forward diplomatically] but instead we find a North Korea that seems bent on playing a game of risk,” Davies told reporters in Japan. “This is very dangerous. We'd like them to step away, step back from this kind of provocative stance and enable us to get back to a diplomatic process.

“But I have to be honest with you, as a diplomat I don't see any prospect for a diplomatic process in the immediate future, as long as North Korea continues this belligerent and provocative behavior and language.”

U.S. officials are set to meet with their Afghan counterparts in Kabul, beginning Saturday, to hammer out the final details of an immunity deal for U.S. forces remaining in the country after the 2014 withdrawal deadline.