How Russia Could Help Curb North Korea's Nukes
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia -- Russia is a key strategic player in Northeast Asia, borders on North Korea, has long experience in dealing with various Pyongyang regimes and provides goods and services vital to the North's survival and well-being. The country could contribute significantly to international deliberations on how to restrain the North's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Yet two players -- the United States and China -- have more or less monopolized approaches to dealing with the North.
Quite obviously, such approaches haven't worked well. The North's threats to international security are gaining momentum and reach. By now, North Korea has amassed an estimated 10 to 20 nuclear weapons, and it could have as many as 100 by the end of the decade. South Korea and Japan may already be within the range of Pyongyang's nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. In a few years North Korea may develop missiles that can strike Hawaii, Alaska and the continental United States.
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Quite obviously, such approaches haven't worked well. The North's threats to international security are gaining momentum and reach. By now, North Korea has amassed an estimated 10 to 20 nuclear weapons, and it could have as many as 100 by the end of the decade. South Korea and Japan may already be within the range of Pyongyang's nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. In a few years North Korea may develop missiles that can strike Hawaii, Alaska and the continental United States.
More...