Avatar photoTom Schelling, Mini-Nukes and the Nuclear Taboo

Quote of the week: “The most spectacular event of the past half century is one that did not occur. We have enjoyed sixty years without nuclear weapons exploded in anger. What a stunning achievement – or, if not achievement, what stunning good fortune.” — Thomas Schelling, Nobel Prize acceptance speech, December 8, 2005 Tom Schelling …

Avatar photoRecent Activity at Nampo

My colleagues Catherine Dill, Cameron Trainer and I were reminded when looking at satellite imagery of Nampo, taken yesterday morning, that North Korea’s evasive tactics are successfully keeping the country’s coal and iron exporters in business. Prior to being sanctioned by the UN, these export commodities were amongst North Korea’s biggest earners. Information about trade in North Korean coal …

Avatar photoIncreasingly Tenuous Strategic Stability

Quote of the week: “Strongman politics are ascendant … whereby elections and some pretense of democracy are maintained—the form of it—but those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning.” — Barack Obama’s July 17, 2018 speech in Johannesburg on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. …

Avatar photoPutin and Trump Meet at Helsinki

Quotes of the week: “When America does not lead malign actors fill the void to the disadvantage of the United States”  — Trump administration National Security Strategy, December 2017 “We will compete and lead in multilateral organizations so that American interests and principles are protected.”  — Trump administration National Security Strategy, December 2017 “We must upgrade our …