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 | Joonbum Bae, Ph.D. - Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science, Hobart & William Smith Colleges |
White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster stated in December that, “the possibility of war with North Korea increases every day.” Considering the possibility of massive casualties on the Korean peninsula and perhaps beyond, then if the probability of conflict is increasing, the benefits of a diplomatic solution would increase as well. What are the obstacles to and prospects of a diplomatic resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis?
A diplomatic solution must involve some understanding between the United States and China. There is near-consensus that fears about potential ramifications of regime collapse in North Korea are behind China’s reluctance to apply measures that could halt its nuclear program. If so, then reducing uncertainty about the costs of regime collapse would be the most direct way to enhance Sino-American cooperation on the issue. Professor Bae will assess the possible elements of such an understanding between the U.S. and China, and the obstacles to creating such an agreement.
This program was made possible by the generosity of Ms. Eloise Briskin.
Joonbum Bae is Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Hobart & William Smith. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from UCLA and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs of Texas A&M University. He earned his MA in international relations at Seoul National University, and his research has been funded by the George Marshall Foundation and the Institute for Global Conflict and Cooperation.