February 13,2018 National Commentaries

A Russian Perspective

Russia’s Gambit in the Korean Nuclear Crisis Since the late 19th century Russia has been a major stakeholder in Korean affairs, at times capable of exercising critical influence on them. The current crisis over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs may once again be raising Russia’s profile on the Korean Peninsula, ending a period when, only […]

Artyom Lukin
double freeze , parallel advancement , Pyeongchang Olympics , roadmap , Six-Party Talks
February 13,2018 National Commentaries

A South Korean Perspective

On November 29, 2017, after conducting its longest-range missile test yet, North Korea declared itself a globe-spanning nuclear-weapons power and insisted that the United States acknowledge it as such. A government statement quoted its leader Kim Jong-un, who announced that his nation had “finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force.” […]

Oh Joon*
Kim Jong-un , maximum pressure , New Year’s Day Address , Pyeongchang Olympics , Six-Party Talks , strategic patience
January 02,2018 National Commentaries

A US Perspective

During the Cold War, a polarized order prevailed in East Asia due to China’s switching sides. Some have predicted its return as China and Russia draw closer, away from the United States and Japan as they rally others behind an order that would contain these rival powers. The Obama approach, solidifying alliances and partnerships while […]

Editorial Staff
Abe Shinzo , Donald Trump , Indo-Pacific strategy , Moon Jae-in , Quad , THAAD , TPP
January 02,2018 National Commentaries

A Japanese Perspective

The year 2017 was a time of quiet realignment in Asian-inter-state relations, as the balance between hedging and engagement was shifting. Trump’s policies to the region left US allies eyeing new partners, while Xi’s assertions of leadership—in the absence of pushback from the usual quarters—made it advisable to stay on China’s good side. Japan, as […]

Gilbert Rozman
Abe Shinzo , BRI , Donald Trump , Indo-Pacific strategy , TPP
January 02,2018 National Commentaries

A South Korean Perspective

South Korea’s current president, Moon Jae-in, entered office in May 2017 with an approval rating of nearly 80%, one of the highest in the country’s modern history.  Although he won the presidential election with 13.4 million votes (or 41% percent of the voting population)1, and has maintained an approval rating between 70-80%2, Moon faces many […]

Lisa Collins
2018 PyeongChang Olympics , ld Trump , Minjoo Party , Moon Jae-in , THAAD
October 26,2017 National Commentaries

A South Korean Perspective

As surreal as the current talks of war between the two angry leaders are, many outsiders often wonder about the calmness of South Koreans, even while facing a belligerent northern neighbor that fires missiles, tests nuclear bombs, and repeatedly threatens a war of annihilation. It is true that Koreans have grown inured to perennial threats […]

Joon-hyung Kim
Donald Trump , Moon Jae-in , Resolution 2375 , THAAD , US-South Korea-Japan
October 26,2017 National Commentaries

A Chinese Perspective

President Trump had a bad start in his governance in the United States, embroiled in bitter disputes with all kinds of people and suffering repeated frustration in promoting his agenda, but Trump has found a silver lining in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations. First, he has effectively replaced the previous administration’s “strategic […]

Cheng Xiaohe*
19th Party Congress , Donald Trump , Security Council , Xi Jinping
October 26,2017 National Commentaries

A Japanese Perspective

Whether he admits it or not, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s debt of gratitude to DPRK chairman Kim Jong-un is far-reaching—regarding Japanese domestic politics, relations with the United States, relations with South Korea, and perhaps even the future of Japan’s Constitution. First, both the timing and results of the 48th Japanese House of Representatives election of […]

Glen S. Fukushima
Abe Shinzo , Constitution , Diet , Donald Trump , Komeito , Liberal Democratic Party