Malaysia’s chairmanship sought to fend off short-term challenges while laying the groundwork for minimizing ASEAN’s longer-term exposure to external stresses.
Elina Noor
{
"authors": [
"Douglas H. Paal"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Carnegie China"
],
"collections": [
"China’s Foreign Relations"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "asia",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "AP",
"programs": [
"Asia"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"East Asia",
"South Korea",
"China",
"Japan",
"North Korea"
],
"topics": [
"Security",
"Military",
"Foreign Policy",
"Nuclear Policy",
"Arms Control"
]
}Source: Getty
In China, Kerry needs to focus on the broader context of the U.S.-China strategic relationship and how North Korea will harm this relationship.
Source: BBC World News
Speaking with BBC World News, Douglas Paal argued that North Korea is unlikely to change its course of action anytime soon and that the U.S. message is mainly intended for China to reconsider the risks of Kim Jong Un's actions.
Meanwhile, Paal continued, there is not much more that can be done with sanctions at this stage. The primary way that North Korea may alter its course is if Kim Jong Un fails to prove himself as the leader that his grandfather was, by failing to deliver goods, fuel, and food to the North Korean people.
As to Kerry's visit to Asia, Paal noted that the secretary of state needs to reaffirm the U.S. alliance with Seoul and Tokyo. In China, Kerry needs to rise above the short tactical measures preoccupying the Western media and focus on the broader context of the U.S.-China strategic relationship and how North Korea will harm this relationship.
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
Malaysia’s chairmanship sought to fend off short-term challenges while laying the groundwork for minimizing ASEAN’s longer-term exposure to external stresses.
Elina Noor
For Malaysia, the conjunction that works is “and” not “or” when it comes to the United States and China.
Elina Noor
ASEAN needs to determine how to balance perpetuating the benefits of technology cooperation with China while mitigating the risks of getting caught in the crosshairs of U.S.-China gamesmanship.
Elina Noor
In July 2025, Vietnam and China held their first joint army drill, a modest but symbolic move reflecting Hanoi’s strategic hedging amid U.S.–China rivalry.
Nguyễn Khắc Giang
Regulation, not embargo, allows Beijing to shape how other countries and firms adapt to its terms.
Alvin Camba