The Korean Conundrum: America's Troubled Relations with North and South Korea

by Ted Galen Carpenter, Doug Bandow

The US seems to be heading directly toward a confrontation with North Korea as Koreans in the south, and nations around the world, anxiously witness mounting tension. Carpenter and Bandow take a look at the twin crises now afflicting US policy in East Asia: the reemergence of North Korea's nuclear weapons program and the growing anti-American sentiment in South Korea. They question whether Washington's East Asia security strategy makes sense with the looming prospect of US troops stationed in South Korea becoming nuclear hostages. Carpenter and Bandow put forth the most provocative solution yet to this gnarled and dangerous situation.

Genres: History

218 pages, Hardcover

First published December 17, 2004

Reviews

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a good balance of perspectives surrounding the long view of the Korea dilemma. Alot of the same information you would read from other books looking to capture the different touch points in history. But enjoyed some of the out of the box ideas that have come up as possible courses of actions in changing US actions in the region.
Some questions to ponder:
It US troops are removed from South Korea would it destabilize the region?
Does Japan want to become a nuclear player in the region?
If North Korea collapses what would China do?

The information environment has changed drastically since the 1950s but we repeat the same playbook. Who will change the plays?