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| December 29, 2010 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.  |  | | | | | | Top of the Agenda: South Korea Calls for Six-Party Talks South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says six-party talks are the best route to denuclearization of North Korea (Yonhap). He also called on Pyongyang to acknowledge previous commitments and abandon its nuclear program within one year. Talks between the six-party nations—U.S., Japan, South Korea, Russia, China, and North Korea—have been stalled for two years, and North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island last month, killing South Korean civilians, intensified tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Reaching a viable rapprochement (WashPost) for the peninsula is likely to be a primary topic of discussion when President Obama hosts a summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao in January. Despite its call for increased diplomacy, Seoul officially defines North Korea as an "enemy" (BusinessWeek) and has promised to strengthen its military and respond more harshly to any future attacks. In a defense ministry report, South Korea says it will seek a more active military deterrence including the "early fortification" (Xinhua) of islands deemed vulnerable to the North's aggression. Analysis: This CFR Report from Paul B. Stares, Director of the Center for Preventive Action, suggests further provocations by North Korea as well as other dangerous military interactions on or around the Korean peninsula remain a serious risk and carry the danger of unintended escalation. Leon V. Sigal, Director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project, calls for the United States and South Korea to support a peace process and political and economic engagement with North Korea. This article by CFR Fellow Josh Kurlantzick featured in the New Republic examines the links between North Korea and a potential nuclear and missile program in Burma. Background: This CFR Special Report discusses the challenges posed by North Korea and its controversial nuclear program. | | | | | | | | | MIDDLE EAST: Suicide Bombers Kill Iraq Police Commander Three suicide bombers (al-Jazeera) attacked police headquarters in Mosul, killing at least four including a unit commander known for pursuing al-Qaeda. Military officials say the city is the last significant urban stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Iraq's coalition government is a promising resolution to nine months of political wrangling after national elections, says expert Joost Hiltermann in this CFR interview, but questions loom about how effective Baghdad's power-sharing agreement will be. Kuwait: Members of the Kuwaiti opposition filed a motion of "no co-operation (BBC)" against the prime minister, Sheik Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah, in an effort to remove him from office after opposition lawmakers said he suppressed freedoms during recent protests. If passed, the issue is referred to the emir for a final decision. | | | | | |
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