Asia & the Pacific

[On the possibility of ongoing secret negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea] I am always wondering if my chain is being yanked. It could also mean Kim is trying to undermine Moon, who positions himself as a broker between the U.S. and North Korea. These two potential explanations are not mutually exclusive.

[Regarding the Pyongyang declaration] We should recognize that 13 years ago [North Korea] agreed to far bigger concessions. Kim is trying to turn back the clock and set the terms of what he is willing to talk about. These are minuscule moves on Kim’s part and we should treat them accordingly.

[Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement to reengage with North Korea] came hours after POTUS welcomed the outcome of the inter-Korean summit, so I took it as Secretary Pompeo reading the room. The statement also twists the actual wording of the Pyongyang statement to make it more significant than it actually is.

The state of Israel needs partners to advance its goals in the world, but Israel also represents ‘an ethos’ which doesn’t sit comfortably with dodgy characters such as [Philippines President Rodrigo] Duterte....Exercising leadership also means choosing one’s friends prudently.