North Korea – think tanks monitor

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un walking on a red carpet at an airfield with an honor guard and a large airplane in the background.

What Xi and Kim Really Want From Each Other

June 10, 2026

This analysis explores the strategic motivations behind Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to North Korea, examining the complex triangular relationship between Beijing, Pyongyang, and Moscow. As North Korea deepens its military ties with Russia, we discuss how China is navigating the erosion of its traditional diplomatic framework, the pursuit of regional stability, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining economic and political influence over a regime now emboldened by its own nuclear status.

A high-ranking Japanese official smiling and engaging with military personnel on a naval vessel decorated with flags.

Japan PM Advances Military Reform Amid Regional Threats

April 27, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is leading Japan through its most significant military transformation since World War II. Facing a nuclear North Korea and an assertive China, the Takaichi administration is pushing to revise Article 9 of the constitution to formally recognize the Self-Defense Forces. Combined with the recent landmark decision to ease military hardware exports, Japan is signaling its transition from a “shield” for U.S. interests to a proactive regional security provider.

A person holding a Tehran Times newspaper featuring a headline about Iran-US talks and an image of a missile.

Bombing the Negotiating Table: How Washington Killed Its Own Diplomacy

April 2, 2026

The initiation of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, did more than just dismantle military targets—it effectively dismantled the very concept of U.S.-led nuclear diplomacy. By striking while a major breakthrough was being announced by Omani mediators, Washington has signaled that even total compliance may not be enough to avert a military “solution.”

A dark missile launching vertically from the blue ocean with a large plume of white smoke and a bright fire trail at its base.

Allied Missile Defense Could Reshape East Asia’s SLBM Threat

February 7, 2026

This analysis examines how a trilateral, sea-based missile defense architecture between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea could neutralize the evolving North Korean Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) threat. By moving away from the “sole defender” model depicted in the 2025 thriller A House of Dynamite, the alliance can leverage forward-deployed Aegis assets to create a layered, multi-azimuth defense that buys critical decision-making time.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands during a high-stakes diplomatic summit.

Trump North Korea Engagement: Denuclearization Abandonment Risks Nuclear Proliferation Cascade

December 27, 2025

President Trump’s 2025 push to resume direct talks with Kim Jong Un has sparked fears of abandoning long-standing denuclearization goals. As Kim gains stature alongside Xi and Putin, critics warn that legitimizing a nuclear North Korea could trigger a proliferation cascade, undermining decades of U.S. strategy for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Featured

Gaza Needs an International Peacekeeping Force Now

Topics

Featured

Europe Is Pursuing Strategic Autonomy — But Not Without America Yet

Middle East

Asia

America

Europe

Africa

Cartoon

Video

Podcast

Tag: North Korea

What Xi and Kim Really Want From Each Other

Japan PM Advances Military Reform Amid Regional Threats

Bombing the Negotiating Table: How Washington Killed Its Own Diplomacy

Allied Missile Defense Could Reshape East Asia’s SLBM Threat

Trump North Korea Engagement: Denuclearization Abandonment Risks Nuclear Proliferation Cascade

Regions

Subjects

Multimedia

Contact Info

Email