Dear members and colleagues,

Greetings from the APLN Secretariat! As 2020 is quickly moving ahead, we send you updates regarding our activities and that of our members. Please also refer to the articles related to nuclear security that might be of interest!

APLN’s Activities

This month, our sixth column featured on the APLN Corner of the Korea Times was written by Rakesh SOOD. His article “U.S.-Iran Brinkmanship Threatens Regional Stability, Nuclear Order”, published on January 29, 2020, discusses the tensions between the U.S. and Iran and the implications they will have on nuclear non-proliferation order.

APLN also has an updated YouTube Channel with newly uploaded videos. Our first video is on “Arms Control Versus Denuclearization: How Best to Secure Peace”, presented by Van JACKSON, at the APLN and East Asia Foundation Joint Seminar in Seoul from November 21, 2019. With more videos to come, we ask you kindly to distribute or inform others about APLN’s YouTube Channel and videos.

 

Members’ Activities

This month, Nobuyasu ABE, in his article, “Where Do We Go After the INF Treaty? Possible Options” presents ways in which countries can respond to the American withdrawal from the INF Treaty. Abe states that China and its increasing capabilities may have played a significant role in the U.S.’s decision to withdraw.

Rakesh SOOD has written an additional article, titled “A Sneeze, A Global Cold and Testing Times for China” for The Hindu. He brings to attention lessons from Kerala and its management with Nipah in light of Covid-19. Sood notes that the ways in which China deals with its health crisis will have implications on its credibility both domestically and globally.

Ramesh THAKUR also wrote an article for the Japan Times, published on February 2, 2020. “North Korea’s 2020 Vision: A Nuclear Shield, Not a Sword” highlights the policy decisions that have both augmented and mitigated obstacles surrounding denuclearization and peace. Thakur raises questions regarding the differences in perspective on denuclearization, and hopes for continued diplomatic processes and communication between countries.

References

Nick ROUTLEY in his article, “The Cost and Composition of America’s Nuclear Weapons Arsenal”, provides a map of nuclear weapons in the U.S., deployment data, and America’s nuclear weapons budget that presents the complex networks of the U.S. nuclear program.

Leon V. SIGAL in “Paved with Good Intentions: Trump’s Nuclear Diplomacy with North Korea” presents prospects for resuming negotiations after Hanoi and Singapore. Sigal notes that Kim Jong-un has more willing partners in U.S. and South Korean presidents unlike those of his forebears.

We hope that you stay safe and warm.

 

The APLN Secretariat

Asia Pacific Leadership Network

102 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu

Seoul, Republic of Korea (03169)

Tel: +82-2-2135-2170