Deterrence and survival maximization continue to dictate state behavior in nuclear and military affairs. There is no evidence to suggest that the case of the DPRK is any different.
Ignoring North Korea is the worst sleight of all. It reminds the elites what they know, and hate – that no one takes them seriously. North Korea is another ‘Upper Volta with nuclear weapons,’ and we should treat it as such.
The hostile posturing of the North Korean leadership is decipherable if located within the context of its symbiotic national security and economic development goals.
Looking at interpretations of current events through an IR theory lens, it is astonishing at how often claims have been made that war is likely, and that we have no way of understanding what North Korea might do.
Most pundits have determined that Kim Jong Un has consolidated power and is now about to, irrationally, strike out against South Korea and her allies. But, what if this assumption is an error?
Even as Russia and China have been presenting a united front on a whole host of global issues in recent months, the underlining sense of mistrust that has long pervaded the bilateral relationship is becoming more acute. Competition in Asia is likely to persist.
Though frustrating for the U.S., South Korea and Japan, the geopolitical reality is that northeast Asia remains mired in a Cold War-esque East-West divide between the Continental and Oceanic powers.
The trilateral meeting provides insight on underlying issues within current policy approaches towards North Korea and Pyongyang’s potential response to pressures arising from the international community.
The international community approaches North Korea with a poor tasting carrot and a broken stick. This gives Pyongyang a great deal of leverage in regional diplomacy.
Amid all the debate over whether to attack Iran, the most important question to ask is whether this policy will keep Iran non-nuclear indefinitely?
Before you download your free e-book, please consider donating to support open access publishing.
E-IR is an independent non-profit publisher run by an all volunteer team. Your donations allow us to invest in new open access titles and pay our bandwidth bills to ensure we keep our existing titles free to view. Any amount, in any currency, is appreciated. Many thanks!
Donations are voluntary and not required to download the e-book - your link to download is below.
