Carnegie Moscow Center
Beijing should exercise its unique and major influence with North Korea in order to return peace and stability to the region and to protect China’s own interests.
The recent UN Security Council statement, which condemns the attack on the South Korean patrol ship without naming a perpetrator, reflects the complicated reality of Beijing’s relations with North Korea.
In order to gain China’s vote, the new UN Security Council resolution on the North Korean torpedo attack condemns the act of war, but does not name the perpetrator of the attack.
While tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula and forecasting the North Korean leadership’s next steps is difficult, none of the parties involved have any interest in further escalation.
The 2010 NPT Review Conference is not a make-or-break moment for the nonproliferation regime. Countries should realize that they each have an opportunity to create positive momentum for further strengthening the regime after the Review Conference.
The Obama administration's Nuclear Posture Review reflects modern reality and gives momentum to President Obama's long-term goal of living in a world without nuclear weapons.