For the first time in over 40 years, China has launched a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. This type of missile can travel thousands of miles, capable of reaching far-off countries, and the move has caught the world’s attention—especially the United States and its allies. Though China says it was just a training exercise, the implications are much larger and could signal the beginning of more frequent missile tests in open waters.

Why This Is a B...