North Korean War Essay

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Question 1: Relations between the United States and North Korea have been hostile since the two states fought on opposite sides in the Korean War. However, since North Korea has acquired nuclear capability, the fear of conflict has escalated, as have threats from both sides; recent statements by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicate that the U.S. may be willing to take preemptive action against the isolationist Asian nation. Max Fisher’s March 19 article “Multiple Options for Striking North Korea, All Highly Risky” from The New York Times explores three possible routes the United States can take pre-emptively in regards to the threats posed by North Korea. The international, state, and individual levels of analyses provide context and understanding to this conflict and provide recommendations of how the two states must approach it to prevent further …show more content…

According to Fisher’s article, United States action in North Korea could be devastating for Japan and South Korea, key U.S. allies in Asia (Fisher 1, Tribune News Services). Because of alliances with South Korea and Japan, the United States’ response to North Korea will have implications for these other states, especially since the U.S. is debating preemptive strikes to defend them (Fisher 1). Additionally, realists in international relations theory maintain that alliances are key to the international system because they maintain balance and stability (Morgenthau 127, Mingst and Arreguín-Toft 111). While the United States has many strong allies, North Korea is largely isolationist, only allied with Russia and China (Ramani). Alliances depend on common goals and cooperation, which impacts state behavior, and as is the case with the conflict between the U.S. and North

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