What’s the best way to influence a government that seems bent on confrontation and a military response? Read these recent letters to The New York Times for different points of view.
Should South Korea and the United States respond to nuclear threats by putting more nuclear missiles in the region, or would that risk a nuclear arms race on the peninsula? Consider these points of view on the question.
Is the United States’ decision to improve its missile defense system a viable and effective option for containing North Korea’s threats, or is China correct in suggesting that it poses risks? Does North Korea really have the ability to hit the United States with a nuclear missile?
Based on recent history, does North Korea appear to respond better to diplomatic engagement and incentives or to confrontation and sanctions? Is there a risk of war if military drills spin out of control?
Should North Korea’s threats about attacking the United States be taken seriously, or are they intended for domestic consumption as a new leader tries to solidify his own power? Is it possible that North Korea’s new leader, Kim Jong-un, is bluffing out of fear of the United States and would prefer peace to war?
Can diplomacy by celebrities, like the American basketball starDennis Rodman, succeed where professional diplomacy fails? Or can it make matters worse?
Does China seem able and willing to influence North Korea’s behavior or support international sanctions?