In The News

Nikkei Asian Review: Will North Korea Set Off New Arms Buildup in Asia?

Hiroyuki Akita and Tetsushi Takahashi September 15, 2017
North Korea, by threatening to “sink Japan” and firing a seventh ballistic missile over Japanese air space, is challenges the entire world community. The Chinese public grumbles after a hydrogen bomb test caused an earthquake and leaders responded with internet censorship. As North Korea’s lead benefactor, China wants to avoid a missile launched its way. The region, now realizing that China has...

The Hankyoreh: Chinese Support of Sanctions Suggests Increasing Concern Over NK Nuclear Program

Kim Oi-hyun September 13, 2017
The United States views China’s support for North Korea as key to ending the rogue nation’s nuclear-weapons program. After the North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test, the UN Security Council unanimously approved new sanctions. China accounts for the bulk of trade with North Korea. The sanctions boost enforcement and toughen restrictions on North Korea's oil imports, textile exports,...

The Economist: The Saudis May Be Stretching Out Hand of Peace to Old Foes

September 12, 2017
The protracted hostility between Saudi Arabia and Iran’s Arab allies may be cooling. The Economist observes that historically “the [Saudi] kingdom has been [on the] front of Sunni Islam’s anti-Shia dogma.” Following his ascension to the throne in 2015, “King Salman bin Abdelaziz and his young son and defence minister, Muhammad, set their sights on rolling back Iran’s influence from the region by...

Deutsche Welle: Trump Has Europe Concerned Over Iran Nuclear Deal

Kersten Knipp September 7, 2017
The US president is signaling an opinion that Iran is not complying with the nuclear deal in place since 2015. Without providing specifics, the US ambassador to the United Nations suggests that the United States has technical reasons for ending the agreement, though these would “contradict the information provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” reports Kersten Knipp for Deutsche...

The Korea Herald: Seoul's Plans to Raise Heat on NK Hit Roadblock in Russia

Choi He-suk September 6, 2017
Nuclear-armed North Korea poses a grave threat to South Korea. North Korea seeks to reunite with South Korea with the Kim regime in charge. South Korea, the world's 11th largest economy, thrives while North Korea does not rank among the world's top hundred economies. China and Russia help supply North Korea, and security analysts suggest that the two countries are key to restraining...

The Japan Times: Missile Fired Over Japan Escalates Tensions

Jesse Johnson and Reiji Yoshida August 30, 2017
With no warning, North Korea fired a ballistic missile over northern Japan into the Pacific Ocean. In the past, North Korea claimed such rockets were associated with satellites. “The Japanese government said the missile flew over southern Hokkaido for two minutes, later breaking into three segments before plunging into the Pacific Ocean about 1,180 km east of Cape Erimo,” report Jesse Johnson and...

The Seattle Times: Live With a Nuclear North Korea and Help It Feel Less Cornered

Walter Hatch August 23, 2017
The United States should not over-react to news that North Korea is a nuclear power. “While Kim [Jong Un] is clearly cruel, he is not crazy,” writes Walter Hatch for the Seattle Times. “What we often forget is that North Korea is also a cornered state, one without any real allies in the world. This is largely a function of juche, the complex policy of ‘self-reliance.’” The regime’s goal is...