Peter Hayes, Nautilus Institute Executive Director, writes, North Koreas missile test was a strategic non-issue. Making a big deal out of it simply enabled the United States to delay dealing with the real issue and made it more likely that North Korea will now test its nuclear weapons. Thus, the outcome of North Koreas nuclear challenge once again hangs in the balance.

Wonhyuk Lim, Nonresident Fellow at the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, writes, “If pre-emption is too risky and malign neglect is too ineffective, the only remaining alternative is to establish a credible red line and negotiate seriously with North Korea through bilateral and multilateral talks– Otherwise, North Korea is sure to produce more fissile material and perfect its missile technology, escalating tension every once in a while to draw attention.”

Stop Hyperventilating, Start Talking PFO 06-54A: July 7th, 2006 Stop Hyperventilating, Start Talking By Peter Hayes CONTENTS I. Introduction II. Essay by Peter Hayes III. Attachment: DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Its Missile Launches IV. Nautilus Invites Your Responses   I. Introduction Peter Hayes, Nautilus Institute Executive Director, writes, “North Korea’s missile test was a […]

Umebayashi Hiromichi, Founder and President of Peace Depot, a non-profit organization for peace research and education in Japan, writes, “The use of US bases in Japan directly for the defense of the United States proper is something quite new. Strict rule of law must be followed in relation to the military, and particularly in case of a foreign military using the territory of an independent state it is more necessary than ever in this circumstance to reaffirm the importance of keeping the military strictly within the rule of law.”

John Feffer, co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus, writes, “The Bush administration should listen to its Republican allies-Weldon, Murkowski, Lugar-and get serious about negotiating with North Korea. Renew the offer to satisfy Pyongyang’s satellite desires. It might just get Kim Jong Il to listen.”

Bradley O. Babson, a consultant on Asian affairs specializing in Korea and Northeast Asian economic cooperation, writes, “By combining a phased approach to building a role for the World Bank in North Korea with a TRM supported by donors who provide both political aid and development assistance, it is possible to imagine a viable roadmap for moving forward with a complex and challenging agenda. Such a possibility could only be realized, however, if the DPRK were to adopt a bold switchover policy.”