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North Korea

Deterring a nuclear North Korea

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have persisted for years. Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have become increasingly hostile, while North Korea continues to develop its nuclear capabilities and deepen its security ties to China and Russia. U.S. should policy should focus on deterrence and managing a nuclear North Korea.

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NORTH KOREA EXPERTS

Photo of Lyle Goldstein

Lyle
Goldstein

Director, Asia Program

Defense Priorities

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

Photo of Rob Givens

Rob
Givens

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

In the mediaNorth Korea, Asia

How Trump’s Kim Jong Un Move Could Lead to Nuclear Breakthrough

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

August 18, 2026

Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, a think tank, described Trump’s announcement as “both a necessary and […]

Op-edChina, Asia, North Korea

The world should welcome Xi Jinping’s efforts to improve ties with North Korea

By Lyle Goldstein

June 17, 2026

Op-edNorth Korea, Asia

Iran war draining U.S. arsenal that keeps North Korea in check

March 23, 2026

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In the mediaNorth Korea, Asia

How Trump’s Kim Jong Un Move Could Lead to Nuclear Breakthrough

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

August 18, 2026

Op-edChina, Asia, North Korea

The world should welcome Xi Jinping’s efforts to improve ties with North Korea

By Lyle Goldstein

June 17, 2026

Op-edNorth Korea, Asia

Iran war draining U.S. arsenal that keeps North Korea in check

March 23, 2026

Op-edNorth Korea, Asia

President Donald Trump wants to meet with Kim Jong Un again. But what about Kim?

By Daniel DePetris

October 28, 2025

Op-edNorth Korea, Asia, China

Trump’s opportunity to re-engage Kim Jong Un

By Lyle Goldstein

September 26, 2025

Op-edGrand strategy, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia

There is no ‘axis of autocracy’

By Daniel DePetris

July 1, 2025

DEFP in the Media

Connect with Experts

Read at Newsweek: How Trump’s Kim Jong Un Move Could Lead to Nuclear Breakthrough

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

August 18, 2026

Read at South China Morning Post: Will the U.S. strikes on Iran push China and North Korea to ramp up their nuclear arms programmes?

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

June 27, 2025

Read at USA Today: Trump's getting his military parade. Here's what they look like from France to Russia

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

May 29, 2025

EVENTS ON NORTH KOREA

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in-personNorth Korea, Asia, Deterrence, Diplomacy, Nuclear weapons

Ending the North Korea standoff

March 5, 2018

in-personGrand strategy, Iran, North Korea, Nuclear weapons

Managing nuclear proliferation crises

October 30, 2017