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.

Garlauskas quoted in The National Interest on North Korea’s ICBM capabilities

Dispatches Jan 27, 2026

Taiwan has been a strategic blind spot for South Korea

By Bee Yun Jo

South Korea is beginning to acknowledge that cross-Strait stability is increasingly a foundational element of overall regional security.
China Indo-Pacific
Garlauskas quoted in The National Interest on North Korea’s ICBM capabilities

New Atlanticist Dec 18, 2025

South Korea and Europe are stepping up on security cooperation. Here’s why.

By David F. Helvey

The growing ties reflect a shared understanding that deterrence in the twenty-first century is global.
Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia
Garlauskas quoted in The National Interest on North Korea’s ICBM capabilities

New Atlanticist Nov 6, 2025

How South Korea advanced its trade and technology agenda at the APEC summit

By Kayla T. Orta

South Korea leveraged its diplomatic influence to strengthen Seoul’s standing within the multilateral economic framework and secure trade deals with the United States.
Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

Projects

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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.

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Content

In the News

Oct 20, 2020

Garlauskas quoted in The National Interest on North Korea’s ICBM capabilities

By Atlantic Council

On October 20, Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, was quoted in The National Interest for his comments on a recent report published by Daily NK on North Korea’s latest ICBM capacities. Garlauskas was quoted saying that while the report largely […]

Defense Policy East Asia

In the News

Oct 19, 2020

Garlauskas lists key takeaways of North Korea’s military parade for US policymakers

By Atlantic Council

On October 19, NK News published an article by Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, that outlines key takeaways from North Korea’s October military parade for US policymakers. In particular, Garlauskas points out 1) Kim Jong-un believes time is on his […]

Defense Policy East Asia

In the News

Oct 16, 2020

Garlauskas quoted in Voa News on North Korea’s ICBM capabilities

By Atlantic Council

On October 16, Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, was quoted in Voa News for his recent analysis on North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities. The quoted analysis, published on the New Atlanticist with Bruce Perry, expresses skepticism towards US missile […]

Defense Policy East Asia

In the News

Oct 14, 2020

Garlauskas’s Interview on US-North Korea Relations with Vox

By Atlantic Council

On October 16, Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, did an interview with VOX on his experience and insight on US-North Korea relations. During the interview, Garlauskas points out that though tensions between the US and DPRK were high in 2017, […]

Defense Policy East Asia

In the News

Oct 12, 2020

Garlauskas quoted in New York Post on North Korea’s new ICBM

By Atlantic Council

On October 12, Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, was quoted in New York Post for his remarks on North Korea’s new intercontinental ballistic missile shown during the military parade on Saturday. Garlauskas commented that the new missile would erase any […]

Defense Policy East Asia

In the News

Oct 9, 2020

Garlauskas quoted in Reuters on North Korea’s new ICBM

By Atlantic Council

On October 9, Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative, was quoted in a Reuters article on North Korea’s new intercontinental ballistic missile shown during the military parade on Saturday. Garlauskas commented that North Korea’s new ICBM is ” likely intended to dispel […]

Defense Policy East Asia

Article

Oct 8, 2020

Garlauskas quoted in Japan Times on North Korean strategic weaponry development

By Atlantic Council

On October 8, The Japan Times quoted a recent New Atlanticist analysis on North Korean strategic weaponry development coauthored by Markus Garlauskas, the former US National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and nonresident senior fellow with the Asia Security Initiative. The quoted analysis warns that the threat coming from North Korea is increasing not only […]

Arms Control Defense Policy

Article

Oct 3, 2020

Oh on East Asian allies’ response to Washington’s tough stand against China

By Atlantic Council

On October 3, Dr. Miyeon Oh, director and senior fellow of the Asia Security Initiative in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, was quoted in a Reuters’ article on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s upcoming Asia trip. Oh predicts that both Japan and South Korea will attempt a balancing act during […]

China East Asia

New Atlanticist

Oct 1, 2020

What an ‘October surprise’ from North Korea might actually look like

By Markus Garlauskas and Bruce Perry

If Kim offers up an “October surprise” this year, it probably won’t be the North Korean version of the fictional Soviet ballistic-missile submarine “Red October.” Instead, it may well come in the form of new missiles displayed on the streets of Pyongyang during the Party’s 75th anniversary parade.

Arms Control Conflict

Article

Sep 30, 2020

Oh on Trump’s DPRK strategy during his potential second term, The National Interest

By Atlantic Council

Dr. Miyeon Oh, director and senior fellow of the Asia Security Initiative in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, published an article on The National Interest on September 30, where she foresees Trump’s policies towards North Korea if re-elected. Oh predicts that though we are likely to see a continuation of Trump’s […]

East Asia Elections
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Experts

Staff

Uri Friedman

Senior Editorial Director

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

Staff

Markus Garlauskas

Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Indo-Pacific

Fellow

Bradley T. Gericke

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Conflict

Staff

Lauren D. Gilbert

Deputy Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

East Asia Human Rights

Fellow

Bee Yun Jo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Korea Korean

Fellow

Heather Kearney

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Intelligence
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