December 2024
Over the summer of 2024, international media focused on military escalation risks along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, highlighting troop build-ups and reconnaissance activities. However, de-escalation efforts by Minsk and Kyiv received little attention, particularly Belarus' nuanced approach to security policy, blending military deterrence with diplomacy, which could hold strategic implications for European security.
December 2024
This article analyses the intensifying nature of international sanctions on North Korea and traces their impact on inter-Korean relations. It also examines how the new DPRK-Russian connection in the wake of the Ukraine War is affecting the sanction regime on North Korea and inter-Korean relations. This article is part of a sanctions series.
November 2024
The article examines the extensive US sanctions on North Korea, imposed for issues like nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, human rights abuses and illicit activities. Rooted in legislation and executive orders, these sanctions are complex, spanning decades and including both national and UN-aligned measures, with limited paths for relief.
September 2024
UN sanctions on the DPRK were first imposed in 2006 following its nuclear test and missile launches. Over time, these sanctions expanded in scope, targeting North Korea’s economy and leadership. Despite increased restrictions, division among the UN Security Council members has weakened the sanction regime, raising concerns about effectiveness and humanitarian impact.
August 2024
The paper investigates the broader impacts of UN sanctions on North Korea. It first clarifies that sanctions do not affect the volume of humanitarian aid. It then details how sanctions have hindered aid delivery and worsened North Korea's food crisis, suggesting that lifting sanctions could prevent further deaths from malnutrition-related diseases and starvation.
June 2024
The article discusses China's implementation of UNSC sanctions against the DPRK, highlighting its use of executive measures, participation in specialised UN organs and national legislation. It reviews the efficiency of China’s sanction procedures, the role of key government agencies and the complexities in enforcing sanctions, especially concerning dual-use items and geopolitical influences.
June 2024
This article explores South Korea's approach to implementing UNSC sanctions against North Korea. Unlike the United States, South Korea lacks a dedicated sanctions statute and instead revises public notices of existing related statues. The article details the legal framework, administrative processes and the roles of various ministries in enforcing these sanctions.
June 2024
The article explores ongoing AI convergence with the nuclear field at the practical level, focusing on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards. It details how States apply AI techniques to enhance functions, citing scientific publications. The article then examines the potential political, practical, and technical challenges in leveraging the benefits of AI at the international level.
October 2020
Assessing new missile threats requires accurate measurements. North Korea unveiled an enormous liquid-propelled ICBM on a massive 11-axle launcher at its 2020 parade. By leveraging known references and imaging techniques, open-source experts can carefully extract key dimensions from parade photos, unlocking crucial insights about the system's capabilities.
July 2020
India and China's deadly June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, with 20 Indian soldiers killed, sharply raised the profile of their latest Himalayan border dispute. It marked the most serious violence since 1967, redefining the nature of their border conflicts and broader relationship as Asian powers.