The first week of July is not normally one that brings great events in world politics. Around that time, the northern hemisphere normally shifts into summer holiday mode. Recently, this has become less…
In North Korea’s eyes, its nuclear program is the only guarantee of regime survival.
Reuters/KCNA
While some countries were taking a major step toward the elimination of nuclear weapons, the US and its allies were focusing on ineffective, counter-productive sanctions against North Korea.
Kim Jong-un and scientists applaud after the successful test of intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14.
KCNA/Reuters
G20 meetings are usually bland, tightly-scripted affairs. Donald Trump has changed all of that with his retrenchment on climate change, free trade and internationalism.
China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner by far, giving the former a great deal of leverage over the behavior of its neighbor.
The US and its allies currently deploy several ballistic missile defence systems that would be used in the event North Korea actually launched an attack.
Reuters/KCNA
Intercontinental ballistic missiles, such as the one tested by North Korea this week, fly far too high and fast for current missile defence systems to engage with.
People watch news of missile test on a public TV screen in North Korea.
AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin