Keeping Kim; How the Kim Conundrum Best Serves American Interests in the Asia Pacific

Abstract

Is the United States solving the wrong problem in the Asia Pacific? The US is at a fork in the road regarding a nuclear-armed DPRK. This analysis answers the question whether the US or PRC benefits the most by the Kim Regime remaining in power. The analysis found that the US gains the most by the Kim Regime remaining in place. Additionally, it found that the PRC potentially benefits the most post-reunification and post-removal of DPRK threats to the region. The research also identified the DPRK as a current nuclear power state which the US, ROK, PRC, and Japan are now forced to manage, not prevent. The nuclear deterrence provided by the stability-instability paradox was viewed as a critical element of DPRK ambitions to deter the US while preserving the Kim Regime. U.S. force posture in the Asia Pacific was identified as a critical element for the achievement of long-term goals in the region. The research deemed that U.S. force posture in the Asia Pacific limits PRC attainment of hegemon status in the region.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 18, 2018
Accession Number
AD1051097

Entities

People

  • Erik E. Hilberg

Organizations

  • Joint Forces Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Economic Systems
  • Foreign Relations
  • Game Theory
  • Globalization
  • Governments
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Iran
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Political Systems
  • Recreation
  • Treaties
  • United States

Readers

  • International Relations, focusing on Korea-Africa and North Korea-South Korea relations, and Nigeria-Latin American Relations.
  • Strategic Security Studies