NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS THAT MIGHT BE IMPLICATED IN NUCLEAR USE INVOLVING THE KOREAN PENINSULA

MATT KORDA JANUARY 20 2022 I.  INTRODUCTION In this essay, Matt Korda presents a comprehensive account of the DPRK’s nuclear warheads, delivery systems, fuel types, and launch systems, followed by an analysis of the DPRK’s and the United States’ nuclear doctrine and potential nuclear use.  Matt Korda is Senior Research Associate and Project Manager, Nuclear Information Project Federation of American Scientists. This […]

ASYMMETRIC WMD THREATS: DPRK NUCLEAR, CYBER, AND BIO-CHEMICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITIES

SANG HYUN LEE JANUARY 17 2022 I.  INTRODUCTION In this essay, Sang Hyung Lee assesses the evolution and state of play of DPRK’s current asymmetric capabilities. He argues that DPRK’s asymmetric forces consisting of increasingly-sophisticated nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, bio-chemical weapons, and cyberattacks pose an existential threat to the ROK, undermine stability in Northeast Asia […]

THE ROLE OF MISSILE DEFENSE IN NORTH-EAST ASIA

DAVID WRIGHT JANUARY 13 2022 I.  INTRODUCTION In this essay, David Wright analyzes the effectiveness of current missile defense systems in intercepting missile attacks and what could happen if the DPRK attacks the ROK, Japan, or the United States. David Wright is a research affiliate in the MIT Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering’s Laboratory for Nuclear Security and Policy and formerly […]

COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION PLUS: BREAKING THE STALEMATE WITH THE DPRK

JOEL PETERSSON IVRE, ELAINE NATALIE, SHATABHISHA SHETTY JANUARY 6 2022 At a time when denuclearization talks with the DPRK are stalled, the authors argue that: “alternative approaches must be explored. CTR Plus offers a new approach by proposing discrete, small to medium scale localized projects – with the potential for large-scale impact – which address […]

NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MISSILES

NICK HANSEN DECEMBER 13, 2021  I.  INTRODUCTION Nick Hansen offers a primer on the incredible array of nuclear missile delivery systems currently deployed and under development by the six nuclear-armed states in the Asia-Pacific region – the United States, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and the DPRK. He argues that the main driver of the profusion […]

NUCLEAR-USE CASES FOR CONTEMPLATING CRISIS AND CONFLICT ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA

PAUL K. DAVIS AND BRUCE W. BENNETT DECEMBER 9, 2021 I.  INTRODUCTION In this essay, Paul Davis and Bruce Bennett sketch ten cases in which nuclear weapons might be brandished or used in a Korea-originated crisis. They offer insights on how and why nuclear war could occur, and the corresponding circumstances that must be avoided. The […]

INTER-KOREAN SOLIDARITY AROUND COVID-19, UNDER THE NORTHEAST ASIAN PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE (NEAPHI), AS A CONTRIBUTION TO COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION (CTR+)

SHIN YOUNG-JEON NOVEMBER 2, 2021 I.  INTRODUCTION In this essay, Shin Young-jeon assesses the potential for the Northeast Asian Public Health Initiative (NEAPHI) to contribute to Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR+) given the COVID-19 situation in the DPRK and the operational status, limitations, and future challenges that NEAPHI must address. Young-jeon Shin is a professor at […]

SPACE ENGAGEMENT AND COOPERATION WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (DPRK)

NAMRATA GOSWAMI OCTOBER 25 2021 I.  INTRODUCTION Namrata Goswami examines the DPRK’s existing space capabilities, explores how space cooperation can be operationalized and funded, and offers a scenario-based analysis of the DPRK’s space militarization escalation and its broader impact.  Namrata Goswami is an independent scholar on international relations, space policy, and conflict resolution. Her co-authored book Scramble for the […]