... preceding legal acts had been rather brief, failing to disclose important provisions and specifics in respect to nuclear weapons. At major Track II diplomacy conferences as well as in other situations, we often heard the following remarks addressed to North Korean representatives: if you claim to be a nuclear state, then at least present your nuclear doctrine to the global community, which all members of the “nuclear five” have developed and which would define the nature, objectives, functions,...
А sharp escalation of tension may occur in the near future
The belligerent statements that the United States, North Korea and South Korea have been making about each other over the past few weeks, and the steps they have taken to mobilise their existing arsenals, suggest that a sharp escalation of tension may occur in the near future.
In March 2022, Pyongyang ...
... with refugees. But the social burden on the economy can still be significant. In addition, Moldova is facing a significant increase in fuel prices, which will also inevitably affect economic growth.
Finally, two other neighbouring countries, Iran and North Korea, should be mentioned. Tehran has a unique window of opportunity. The risk of a shortage of oil in the world market may force the US to make some indulgences in the sanctions regime. Iran may take an initially tough stance and then reduce its ...
... current state of severe economic turbulence prefers a dominant, state-controlled, centralized economy, while experiments with market economy are phased out
Over the past two or three years, media outlets all across the globe have been emphasizing North Korea’s growing isolation from the outside world, marking the country’s inevitable economic slump, which may potentially lead to the dissolution of the state.
The economic siege appears to come from two fronts: international sanctions and sanctions ...
On June 11, 2021, Ivan Timofeev, Director of Programs, Russian International Affairs Council, spoke at the webinar “Prospect for Progress on North Korea and Northeast Asian Security” held by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP).
On June 11, 2021, Ivan Timofeev, Director of Programs, Russian International Affairs Council, spoke at the webinar “Prospect for Progress ...
The Russia-China proposal for a “double freeze” settlement remains the most feasible solution, although far from ideal
Analytical pieces—typically prepared by self-professed experts—abound as to whether denuclearization of North Korea could be possible or what its parameters would be. Such ruminations became particularly popular by the end of Donald Trump’s presidency when the negotiations eventually found themselves in deadlock. However, I would rather call it a “freeze,...
... India and Pakistan through arms control on the U.S.-Soviet model was impossible due to geographical proximity and territorial issues, the general power imbalance between the two countries, and the asymmetrical strategic position of India and Pakistan.
North Korea, which developed its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in the 21st century, presented another problem. Its arrival as a nuclear-armed state sent the message that any country whose leadership was determined to go nuclear and was prepared ...
... the Korean War to better handle conflict?
This year marks the 70
th
anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. It was initially a civil war that gradually evolved into an international conflict, during which the Soviet Union and China supported North Korea. Last Friday, China commemorated the 70
th
anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers army entering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. How to evaluate China's decision to ...
...
A Gloomy Anniversary
The September 19, 2005 statement
proposed
measures to phase out the nuclear potential of the Korean peninsula in exchange for establishing a peace and security mechanism that takes the interests of all sides into account.
North Korea, whose missile programme was the focus of the talks, was primarily interested in eliminating threats to its national security and obtaining “irrevocable” guarantees of non-interference as an alternative to nuclear deterrence. These agreements ...
... the United States, Democratic candidate Joe Biden spoke about this as well [
vii
]. The US administration promptly released a list of exceptions to its sanctions, many of which were in place long before the pandemic. They concern Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela and Russia [
viii
]. A joint US-Swiss relief supply channel for Iran has become operational [
ix
]. We saw the first transactions based on INSTEX, a long-awaited channel for humanitarian transactions with Iran created by Great Britain,...
