May 13, 2021
Dear Network Members and Colleagues,
We would like to share with you our recent commentaries addressing the Biden administration’s DPRK policy review and lessons learned from the Iran deal on dealing with North Korea; our latest Pulse series on the Quad; and upcoming event on assessing the nuclear domino in Northeast Asia. |
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Something for Something: Next Steps for Biden’s North Korea Policy
by Professor John Delury
The latest APLN commentary by Professor John Delury of Yonsei University was published on 11 May. Professor Delury shares his thoughts on the Biden administration’s North Korea policy review ahead of its release.
He outlines steps that have been taken thus far and argues that adequate preparations must start now to open up dialogue and find mutually acceptable “solutions” to the DPRK challenge. He suggests that progress can be made by both Seoul and Washington engaging proactively on finding solutions to peacefully co-exist with North Korea. |
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| The Pulse series features timely analyses on policy developments in the Asia Pacific. In the latest Pulse, experts from Australia, India, Japan, and China offer their assessment on the global and regional implications of the Quad.
This series features analyses from John Carlson, APLN Senior Associate Fellow; Dr. Manpreet Sethi, APLN Board Member; Professor Takao Takahara of Meiji Gakuin University; and Professor Dingli Shen of Fudan University, APLN Member. |
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“How will the Quad develop? Some have described it as potentially a ‘mini-NATO,’ but an emphasis on military cooperation would inevitably be seen as confrontational…More broadly, the Quad could have a key role helping to manage competitive coexistence within the region. The most important task for the Quad could be to promote constructive engagement with China across these issues – perhaps through a dialogue framework, along Quad lines, that includes China.” – John Carlson, APLN Senior Associate Fellow
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“The first Summit meeting of the four heads of governments of the Quad in March 2021 brought further clarity on the form, purpose and content of the grouping….India conceives of it not as an exclusive alliance, but as an inclusive effort, which other compatible states can engage with, on issues as diverse as health, climate, economic and technological change, infra-structure development and maritime security.” – Manpreet Sethi, APLN Board Member
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“The ‘QUAD’ is welcome in the context as another initiative to institutionalize cooperative partnership between powers, if not under the UN framework. Of course, there is a caveat: Intimate relationships can be perceived differently in the eyes of those who are excluded. The QUAD features a “free and open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). The question is “Whose freedom? And open to whom?” – Takao Takahara, Meiji Gakuin University
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“The Biden administration views China as a “very serious challenge”. It is interested in cooperating with Beijing when possible, and competing when necessary. The Quad group fits into the latter approach. It is best understood as an evolving mechanism, designed to balance China and prevent conflict. However, it does not necessarily need to be developed into a formal security alliance, especially if China addresses the genuine insecurities that are driving the Quad members to cooperate.” – Dingli Shen, Fudan University
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APLN and The Korea Times
Iran and NK Nuke Issues
The latest APLN-Korea Times column features Anton V. Khlopkov, Director of the Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS), published on 5 May. Director Khlopkov argues that the lessons from the JCPOA talks can be applied to resuming and strengthening future dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. Read more
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TOMORROW: Webinar on Assessing Northeast Asia Nuclear Domino
Tomorrow, Friday 14 May 14 at 9 AM KST, APLN is co-hosting a webinar on “Assessing Northeast Asia Nuclear Domino: North Korean Nuclear Threat and South Korean Responses” with the Sejong Institute, the Research Institute of National Security Affairs of the Korea National Defense University, the Korea Nuclear Policy Society, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Pugwash Japan.
APLN Vice-Chair and Professor Chung-in Moon, APLN Research Director and Dr. Peter Hayes, APLN Board Member and Professor Tatsujiro Suzuki, and APLN Member and Dr. Sang Hyun Lee will discuss the changes to the political and security environment in Northeast Asia that might catalyze a nuclear domino.
To watch the session, register now.
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Member Activities
Revisiting the Case for No-First-Use of Nuclear Weapons
On 5 May, APLN Chair and Distinguished Honorary Professor Gareth Evans, wrote for the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists on No-First-Use (NFU) outlining what NFU entails and its significance to achieving complete nuclear disarmament. He argues that adopting NFU policies and functional equivalents will make the world significantly safer. Read more
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