Washington, D.C. — A new column from the Center for American Progress urges the United States to get creative about jump-starting diplomacy with North Korea while the door still appears to be open.
While the chances for meaningful progress are low, the column calls on the United States to do everything it can to revive diplomatic talks while repairing other alliances that are essential for an effective North Korea policy.
A return to the “fire and fury” and military threats of 2017 would be dangerous and increase the chances of miscommunication that could accidentally lead to conflict, the analysis says. As 2020 begins, it is possible that Kim Jong Un is done with talking and will resume nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing. It is also possible that Kim is waiting out President Trump and wants to see what the 2020 U.S. election will bring.
Under these circumstances, the United States should make clear that diplomacy is still on the table. The Trump administration should also repair strained alliances with Japan and South Korea to prevent North Korea from driving a wedge between the United States and its allies.
Read the column: “How To Approach the North Korea Problem in 2020” by Michael Fuchs and Haneul Lee.
For more information or to talk to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.