Arms Control Versus Denuclearization: How Best to Secure Peace?

Dr. Van Jackson

Despite dramatic developments from the “Fire and Fury” of 2018 to the summit in Hanoi, the U.S. has accomplished very little after years of negotiating with North Korea. Could the American strategy of pursuing denuclearization in North Korea be doing more harm than good? In this seminar, Dr. Van Jackson argues that the goal of denuclearization is not just unrealistic, but is in reality detrimental to American interests in the region. He argues that only an arms control diplomatic paradigm–not denuclearization–can minimize the risks of conventional or nuclear conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Pursuing this strategy will require considerable unilateral concessions from the U.S. in order to build trust and momentum.