Threat Analysis - North Korean Nuclear Program
Abstract
Joel S. Wit, in his analysis of U.S. North Korean policy, stated that, "For 50 years, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been the poster child for rogue states." Whether called a "rogue state," a "state of concern," or a "failed state," North Korea poses no shortage of military threats to the security of United States citizens and U.S. allies. An isolated, Stalinist regime, it possesses a large standing army and conventional weapons arsenal, a chemical and biological warfare capability, a developing a long-range missile program and a potential nuclear program. The North Korean nuclear program and the possible development of nuclear weapons endangers vital or core U.S. national interests. Analysis in this paper will focus on the U.S. strategy for dealing with the North Korean nuclear program at the end of William J. Clinton's eight years as president and the start of George W. Bush's presidency. The framework for this analysis will be "A Design for National Security Strategy" contained in the National War College Course 5601, Fundamentals of Strategic Logic. This framework uses a five level approach to the design of a national security strategy. It begins with assumptions about the domestic and international environment. Level Two of the framework covers the National Interests and Threats. Levels Three through Five are focused on the Foreign Policy Objectives, Power and Resources, and Plans and Priorities, respectively. Finally, this paper will address recommendations for the strategy and means and methods to improve the policies for promoting stability in a vital region of the world.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA441754
Entities
People
- Peter J. Rowman
Organizations
- National War College