North Korea | Council on Foreign Relations

Complex dynamics between the two Asian nuclear powers are shifting once again as North Korea deepens ties with Russia and the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong Nov 21, 2024

How Japan Is Viewing the North Korea-Russia Alliance

Russia’s expanding security ties with North Korea raise weighty foreign policy questions for Japan and complicate the geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Expert Brief by Sheila A. Smith Jun 27, 2024

The North Korean and Chinese Threats Are Growing

With renewed support from Russia and China, there are fears that a North Korean crisis is coming. In light of this, the trilateral security relationship among the United States, Japan, and South Korea has reached a new level of cooperation.

Post by Sue Mi Terry May 28, 2024

Grand Strategy

A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Eurasia Challenge, With Hal Brands

Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger distinguished professor of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how and why control of Eurasia affects U.S. national security. This episode is the fifth in a continuing TPI series on U.S. grand strategy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Hal Brands January 21, 2025 The President’s Inbox
China

The China-North Korea Relationship

Complex dynamics between the two Asian nuclear powers are shifting once again as North Korea deepens ties with Russia and the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong November 21, 2024
Ukraine

Virtual Media Briefing: Update on the Russia-Ukraine War—Will U.S. Long-Range Missiles Change the Equation?

CFR experts discuss the implications of President Joe Biden authorizing Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles against targets inside of Russia, and the prospects for the Ukraine-Russia war under President-Elect Donald Trump.

Virtual Event by Max Boot , Liana Fix , Charles A. Kupchan and Elise Labott November 20, 2024 Media Briefings

Experts in this Region

Paul B. Stares

General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action

United States

Designing a Broader National Security Approach: A Conversation With the Commission on the National Defense Strategy

Panelists discuss the findings of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy Report, including the evolving security threats from China and its aligned partners: Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The Commission explores the need for the United States to strengthen its deterrence and response strategies by using all elements of national power, including diplomacy, investment, and commercial strategies, along with the critical role U.S. alliances play in shaping global competition. The U.S. Congress created the Commission on the National Defense Strategy in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act as an independent body charged with assessing the 2022 National Defense Strategy. Its members are non-governmental experts in national security. The Commission released its final report on July 29, 2024. RAND contributed analytic and administrative support.

Event with Eric S. Edelman, Jane Harman, James N. Miller Jr. and Amna Nawaz October 29, 2024
Authoritarianism

The Axis of Autocracies Challenge, With Jennifer Kavanagh and Andrea Kendall-Taylor (Election 2024, Episode 7)

Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the nature and significance of growing cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This episode is the seventh in a special TPI series on the U.S. 2024 presidential election and is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay , Jennifer Kavanagh and Andrea Kendall-Taylor October 29, 2024 The President’s Inbox
North Korea

North Korean Troops in Russia: A Dangerous New Phase in the Ukraine War

The deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia marks an ominous new level of cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The alliance could further escalate and globalize the conflict.

Expert Brief by Liana Fix and Benjamin Harris October 25, 2024 Europe Program

Japan

How Japan Is Viewing the North Korea-Russia Alliance

Russia’s expanding security ties with North Korea raise weighty foreign policy questions for Japan and complicate the geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Expert Brief by Sheila A. Smith June 27, 2024 Asia Program
Russia

Russia Struck a Defense Pact With North Korea. What Does It Mean?

The new defense treaty demonstrates a growing closeness between the two pariah states that is likely to make the rest of the world uneasy.

Expert Brief by Sue Mi Terry and Stephen Sestanovich June 19, 2024 Asia Program
North Korea

The Significance of the Putin-Kim Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2024 visit to North Korea, his first since 2000, signifies the ongoing strengthening of bilateral ties. Whether this is a short-term expedience or the start of a true security alliance remains to be seen.

Post by Sue Mi Terry June 17, 2024 Asia Unbound
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Biden’s Gaza Dilemmas, 80 Years Since D-Day, Mexico’s Milestone Election, and More

U.S. President Joe Biden faces increasing international and domestic pressures on his policy toward the Israel-Hamas war amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip; Western leaders commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day with Russia’s war in Ukraine front of mind; Mexico holds massive general elections that are likely to usher in the country’s first woman president; and North Korea tests new satellite and missiles.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins May 30, 2024 The World Next Week
North Korea

The North Korean and Chinese Threats Are Growing. But so Is the Trilateral Response.

With renewed support from Russia and China, there are fears that a North Korean crisis is coming. In light of this, the trilateral security relationship among the United States, Japan, and South Korea has reached a new level of cooperation.

Post by Sue Mi Terry May 28, 2024 Asia Unbound
North Korea

60th Munich Security Conference, African Union’s Conflict-Laden Agenda, Bellicose North Korea, and More

World leaders gather for the sixtieth Munich Security Conference with growing concerns about a continued war in Ukraine and threats to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cohesion; the African Union holds its annual summit as multiple crises mount, including armed conflict and democratic blacksliding; Kim Jong Un increases aggressive language and acts as North Korea prepares to celebrate the late father and leader Kim Jong Il’s birthday; and former Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is nominated to lead a coalition government as the new prime minister.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins February 15, 2024 The World Next Week
North Korea

Why Is North Korea Turning More Aggressive?

The country’s steady military and technological progress, coupled with its leader Kim Jong Un’s increased hostility toward foreign influences, raises concern about Pyongyang’s ambitions. Here’s a breakdown of recent trends.

Expert Brief by Scott A. Snyder February 7, 2024 Asia Program
North Korea

Satellites, Summits, and Succession in North Korea

In 2023, North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un marked three significant achievements: a successful satellite launch, strengthened ties with Russia, and the public emergence of his daughter as his likely successor.

Post by Scott A. Snyder January 31, 2024 Asia Unbound
North Korea

Strengthening Human Rights-Centered Approaches Toward North Korea

In order for the United States and South Korea to strengthen their human rights-centered approach toward North Korea, key internal and external obstacles should be addressed.

Post by Yuna Kim December 19, 2023 Asia Unbound