Foreign Relations

The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks shocked the world twice: first, their unimaginable method of attack and, second, the U.S. response in their wake. Doctrines, policies, and actions that emerged…

In Russia’s foreign policy, the central direction after 11 September 2001 was a close cooperative relationship with both the United States and Europe. However, President Vladimir Putin’s second term in…

The year 2007 demonstrated more clearly than ever that external economic engagement provides a chance to help convince North Korea to abandon isolation and take specific actions toward denuclearization that…

On 30 June 2007, United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and Republic of Korea Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong signed the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), an encompassing…

What Happened During recent talks, the Chinese FM raised the idea of joint dialogue to reach a political resolution between North and South Korea. China also voiced support for South Korea’s goals of peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The two foreign ministers discussed holding a future 2+2 meeting with diplomatic and security officials from…

What Happened On April 1, Seoul and Tokyo met to discuss historical issues, future bilateral meetings, and improving trilateral relations. The meeting came just after Japan’s Ministry of Education approved 30 high school social studies and history textbooks that showed the Dokdo islets as part of Japanese territory. Although South Korea called for the books to be corrected and for the…

What Happened On March 26, the South Korean Defense Minister met with his Indian counterpart to discuss mutual cooperation. Items discussed included increasing defense ties, arms sales, and foreign direct investment. Korean companies are interested in partnering with the Indian military to supply anti-aircraft defense systems and participate in shipbuilding projects. Implications: While Korea has not joined any formal coalitions aiming…

Thomas Bach, current Chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), published a lengthy opinion piece about the Olympic Games last October.  In a strong defense of the games as “an event that unites the world,” he unequivocally proclaimed that “the Olympic Games are not about politics.” While keeping politics out of the Olympic Games may…