North East Asia

Outwardly, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) appears stable. However, the country has been shaken by constricting international sanctions, extremely poor policy choices, and several internal challenges that have the potential to trigger instability.

The revelation in 2009 of nuclear facilities near Qom intensified international criticism of Iran’s opaque nuclear development.

Pyongyang’s latest round of provocations has prompted Beijing to reconsider its North Korea policy.

Pyongyang’s latest round of provocations has prompted Beijing to reconsider its North Korea policy.

Each time global attention is focused on events in Myanmar, concerned stakeholders turn to China to influence the military government to undertake reforms.

The motivations for North Korea’s second nuclear test are, as with many of its actions, mostly impenetrable.

This background report examines what is known about the North Korean nuclear and missile programs in mid-2009.

This report examines North Korea’s chemical and biological weapons capabilities in the context of its military doctrine and national objectives.

Over the past twenty years China has become an active participant in UN peacekeeping, a development that will benefit the international community.

North Korea says it is preparing to launch an experimental communications satellite using a rocket that is part of its ballistic missile program.