Korea

The alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States remains critical to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the surrounding region, while trade and investments between both countries provides a foundation for enhanced cooperation in key areas such as technology and energy. The pursuit of nuclear weapons by the regime in North Korea threatens to destabilize the peninsula and the entire region. The Republic of Korea is also increasingly exploring opportunities to engage with Southeast Asia and contribute to the US vision for the Indo-Pacific.

Projects

Close up of tiger

The Tiger Project: War and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

Explore the Atlantic Council’s work on current and enduring defense and deterrence issues in the Indo-Pacific, featuring expert commentary, multimedia content, and in-depth analysis.

Explore the programs

The Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) informs and shapes the strategies, plans, and policies of the United States and its allies and partners to address the most important rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including China’s growing threat to the international order and North Korea’s destabilizing nuclear weapons advancements. IPSI produces innovative analysis, conducts tabletop exercises, hosts public and private convenings, and engages with US, allied, and partner governments, militaries, media, other key private and public-sector stakeholders, and publics.

Content

In the News

Mar 15, 2021

Manning quoted in Voice of America Korea: the issue of human rights is causing friction in US-South Korean relations

By Atlantic Council

From March 15 to 17, Robert Manning was quoted in a series of articles in Voice of America, here, here and here, about human rights issues and US policy towards the Korean peninsula. “While US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has repeatedly stressed the issue of human rights in North Korea, there is growing concern […]

Korea Korean

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 11, 2021

Garlauskas on Sejong Society’s webinar: Nuclear North Korea and the Biden presidency

On February 24, Markus Garlauskas made an appearance as a panelist at a webinar titled, “Nuclear North Korea and the Biden Presidency” held by the Sejong Society. In a wide ranging discussion with the Sejong Society’s President, Garlauskas addressed a variety of questions relevant to the Biden Administration’s policies on North Korea. He emphasized the […]

Intelligence Korea

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 10, 2021

Garlauskas on Georgetown University’s webinar: US-China competition and the Korean Peninsula

On March 9, Markus Garlauskas made an appearance as a speaker at a webinar titled, “US-China Competition and the Korean Peninsula” held by the Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University where he is currently teaching a course on North Korea as an adjunct professor in the university’s Security Studies Program. His discussion with Bonnie […]

China Conflict

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 9, 2021

Garlauskas on MIT’s Security Studies Program webinar on assessing North Korea

On February 24, Markus Garlauskas made an appearance as a guest speaker on a webinar, “Strategic Assessment of a Hard Target: North Korea,” held by the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Based on his two-decade experience as the US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea, Garlauskas discussed how to approach strategic […]

Intelligence Korea

In the News

Mar 5, 2021

Gordon and Greene in The National Interest: Why the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Partnership Matters

Korea Nuclear Energy

Issue Brief

Mar 4, 2021

It’s time to get serious about a pressure strategy to contain North Korea

By Andrea R. Mihailescu

A Biden administration North Korea Strategy should continue dialogue with Kim's government, backed by a variety of pressure and enforcement tactics, in order to strive for the goal of arms reduction.

Arms Control Economy & Business

Op-Ed

Mar 1, 2021

Garlauskas in Asia Times: Kim Jong Un says ‘sorry, not sorry’

Markus Garlauskas argues that analysts should not take Kim Jong Un's apologies to the North Korean public for recent policy failures at face value and that they should stay vigilant about the tactical motivations behind such rhetoric.

Intelligence Korea

Report

Mar 1, 2021

Report release: The future of the US-ROK alliance

By Barry Pavel, Miyeon Oh, Robert Dohner, Alexander Vershbow, Markus Garlauskas, Todd Rosenblum

In a rapidly changing environment, the US and ROK must develop an integrated strategic vision for security in the Indo-Pacific, innovative approaches to denuclearization, and responses to a rising China.

Indo-Pacific Korea

In the News

Feb 24, 2021

National Geographic documentary: Garlauskas discusses the role of Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong

Markus Garlauskas made an appearance on a National Geographic documentary, “North Korea: Inside the Mind of a Dictator” that went online on February 15, 2021. In the documentary, which explored the personality and motivations of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Garlauskas discussed the unique role of his sister Kim Yo Jong. Read more […]

Arms Control Korea

In the News

Feb 12, 2021

Garlauskas in United States Institute of Peace blog: It’s time to get real on North Korea

On February 9, Markus Garlauskas published a blog post, “It’s Time to Get Real on North Korea” on the United States Institute of Peace website. In this piece, Garlauskas argues that the Biden administration should form a new, pragmatic strategy that shifts the focus away from near-term denuclearization toward preventing further expansion of nuclear capabilities […]

Arms Control Korea

Experts