Policy Forum

Prospects for Effective Marine Governance in the Northwest Pacific Region Peter M. HAAS Professor Department of Political Science University of Massachusetts-Amherst presented at the ESENA Workshop: Energy-Related Marine Issues in the Sea of Japan Tokyo, Japan 11-12 July 1998 1. Introduction 1 This paper looks at the prospects for effective regional action to protect the Northwest […]

Provided the framework for discussions at the July 1998 ESENA workshop in Tokyo on appropriate and feasible U.S.-Japan policy initiatives which address oil-related marine issues in the Sea of Japan/East Sea.

Ocean Management Regimes in the Sea of Japan: Present and Future 1 Mark J. VALENCIA Senior Fellow East-West Center   presented at the ESENA Workshop: Energy-Related Marine Issues in the Sea of Japan Tokyo, Japan 11-12 July 1998 1. Political and Natural Setting The countries included in this analysis are the four countries which border the […]

Discussion of NAPSNet Forum #18 — Political/Economic Transition on the Korean Peninsula Discussion of NAPSNet Forum #18 — Political/Economic Transition on the Korean Peninsula Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network DISCUSSION OF “POLITICAL/ECONOMIC TRANSITION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA” #18B — JUNE 19, 1998 The is intended to provide expert analysis of contemporary peace and security […]

This essay was written by Scott Snyder, Program Officer at the U.S. Institute of Peace, based on meetings of the working group on U.S. policy toward the Korean peninsula that focused on political, economic, and security developments in North and South Korea. The meetings were held at the United States Institute of Peace in November and December 1997 and March 1998. The United States Institute of Peace has held an ongoing series of working group meetings since fall 1993, when a group was convened to examine policy options for dealing with the North Korean nuclear challenge. For more information about the meeting series or this report, please contact Scott Snyder at (202) 429-3808 or visit the

In this essay, which originally appeared in the International Herald Tribune on May 19, 1998, Professor Ramesh Thakur, vice rector of the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, examines the international and domestic causes of the Indian nuclear tests, as well as the international response. He argues that, while regrettable, India’s decision to test is not surprising, given both the domestic pressures on the ruling coalition and the flaws of international nonproliferation regimes. He concludes that the international community’s response to the tests are unlikely to be effective. US sanctions lack moral equivalence due to the lack of progress on disarmament, and any response is likely to play into the hands of Indian hawks.

This essay was written by Wade Huntley, Ph.D., the Program Director for Asia/Pacific Security at the Nautilus Institute. Dr. Huntley examines the connections between the recent nuclear tests conducted by India and the DPRK’s threats to restart its Yongbyon nuclear reactor. He argues that US nonproliferation policies need to be updated to take into account the new realities of proliferation in the post-Cold War era. In addition to responding to horizontal proliferation threats, the US needs to step up efforts to achieve vertical disarmament, while at the same time devising complex engagement strategies to balance negative threats with positive inducements for nonproliferation. Ultimately, Dr. Huntley concludes that promoting nonproliferation requires finding solutions to the outstanding political issues which drive countries to seek a nuclear option.

The executive summary of the article “Will North Korea Negotiate Away Its Missiles,” by David C. Wright of the Union of Concerned Scientists. A summary item of news reports of this article was included in the US Section of the Daily Report for April 3. The full text of the article can be downloaded using Adobe Acrobat Reader at the Union of Concerned Scientists website.

#13B — March 24, 1998 The NAPSNet Policy Forum Online is intended to provide expert analysis of contemporary peace and security issues in Northeast Asia, and an opportunity to participate in discussion of the analysis. The Forum is open to all participants of the Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network (NAPSNet). As always, NAPSNet invites your responses to […]

#13B — March 24, 1998 The NAPSNet Policy Forum Online is intended to provide expert analysis of contemporary peace and security issues in Northeast Asia, and an opportunity to participate in discussion of the analysis. The Forum is open to all participants of the Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network (NAPSNet). As always, NAPSNet invites your responses to […]