As always, we share recent activities from our network, including analysis on China’s nuclear policy, the India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement, the Putin-Kim summit, and more.

The recently signed mutual defence pact between North Korea and Russia represents a significant shift in regional politics and global security dynamics. In this commentary, Sandip Mishra argues that the agreement reflects Russia’s resistance to Western geopolitical pressures and its broader strategy to challenge the US-led global order. It appears to reinforce the division of the international system into opposing camps, thereby further reducing the space for diplomacy and collaborative security measures.

Sayo Saruta makes the case that Russia and North Korea are uniting not only in support of Russia’s war on Ukraine but also in reaction to the growing influence of US-led alliances. She argues that de-escalating tensions must be the primary mission of all countries and highlights the importance of Japan engaging in meaningful dialogue with China, Russia, and North Korea, as well as addressing the interests of the Global South.  

This commentary was originally written in Japanese and was translated into English. Both versions are available on our website. 

APLN has received a renewed grant from the Ploughshares Fund to continue our work in providing a platform for voices from the Pacific Islands and raising global awareness of the shared responsibility to address human and environmental security challenges across the region.

This year, we aim to deepen engagement and collaboration with individuals and organizations in the Pacific to raise awareness of the impact of nuclear and climate risks in the region; whilst also broadening the dialogue with counterparts in Asia, exploring how to future-proof the Asia-Pacific region against threats posed by the US-China geopolitical competition and growing militarization.

APLN has over 150 members from 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific.
Each week we feature their latest contributions
to global and regional security debates.

Political Drivers of China’s Changing Nuclear Policy: Implications for U.S.-China Nuclear Relations and International Security

Putin’s Two Very Different Trips to Pyongyang