In "The Role of Non-State Actors as Proxies in Irregular Warfare and Malign State Influence," Dr. Sam Mullins examines how states like China and Russia leverage non-state actors (NSAs) to conduct irregular warfare, employing tactics that blur the lines between peace and conflict. These NSAs engage in activities ranging from persistent low-level operations aimed at undermining adversaries' institutions to more aggressive actions that challenge the sovereignty of other nations.
South Korea’s Democratic Turmoil: A Test of Resilience South Korea, often hailed as a beacon of democracy in Asia, finds itself navigating a profound political crisis that has raised questions about its democratic stability and governance. The impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol following his December 3rd declaration of martial law has sent shockwaves across the nation and the region. While the swift response from South Korea’s institutions and the public demonstrates the strength of its democratic framework, the crisis also highlights vulnerabilities that demand attention. This critical issue was the focus of Dialogue Episode 36, where I had the privilege of hosting DKI APCSS Professor Dr. Lami Kim to explore the broader implications of this historic crisis. Reflecting on the situation, Dr. Kim observed, “President Yoon’s declaration of martial law was not a spontaneous move; it was premeditated. His aides testified that he had been discussing the option for months, believing it was the only way to tackle his mounting political and personal challenges.” A Premeditated Power Grab President Yoon’s martial law declaration, framed as a response to “pro-North Korean threats” and political unrest, was far from spontaneous. Yoon’s actions, including attempts to dissolve the National Assembly and paralyze democratic institutions, drew comparisons to South Korea’s authoritarian past, particularly Chun Doo-hwan’s 1979 coup. However, the failure of Yoon’s self-coup underscores the evolution of South Korean democracy. Dr. Kim noted, “South Korean citizens have become incredibly mature in their democratic practices. Their peaceful and well-organized protests show the strength of civil society, which, alongside a free press and nonviolent dissent, helped ensure the failure of Yoon’s self-coup.”
“This is Not the Status Quo You’re Looking For” by Lauren Dickey and DKI APCSS’ Col. Matthew Kent was recently published by War on the Rocks. In the article, the authors argue that the United States’ longstanding policy of maintaining the “status quo” on Taiwan is increasingly misaligned with contemporary geostrategic realities. Rooted in Cold War-era agreements, the policy aims to deter hostilities by avoiding an official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty. However, this approach has not accounted for China’s use of gray zone tactics—subtle, coercive measures that fall short of provoking military conflict but aim to achieve political objectives. According to the authors, the “status quo,” once effective in a very different geopolitical landscape, now risks enabling China’s aggressive posturing and undermining Taiwan’s security.
Dr. Lami Kim has a new article in Foreign Policy on the recent self-coup and martial law attempt by President Yoon in South Korea. The article, “Yoon’s Coup Attempt Shows Sad State of Civil-Military Relations,” provides an in-depth look the Republic of Korea’s history of past military dictatorship. According to Kim, “As South Koreans and supporters of democracy around the world anxiously watch how this situation unfolds, it is crucial to learn from what happened. This incident serves as a stark reminder that civil-military relations are never static and can regress without vigilant management. If there is a silver lining to this situation, it is that South Koreans now have an opportunity to confront the lingering legacies of military dictatorship and take definitive steps toward establishing healthy, sustainable civil-military relations.”
Sri Lanka’s November 14 election marks a historic turning point, with the potential to reshape its future and inspire regional renewal. This episode explores its challenges, opportunities, and regional implications.
The space race isn’t over; it has simply evolved into a new, more complex phase. While Cold War rivalries may have faded, a different kind of competition is now underway – a race to ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical domain. With the number of satellites and space actors growing exponentially, the need for responsible behavior and international cooperation has never been more pressing. This was the central theme of Dialogue 33, where experts Dr. Namrata Goswami and Sam Wilson joined DKI APCSS professors Dr. James Minnich and Dr. Al Oehlers to explore the critical challenges and opportunities in securing the future of space.
What are Seoul’s strategic options in response to North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia amid the Ukraine conflict? Dr. Lami Kim explores the risks of technology transfers, phased response strategies, and the delicate balance between deterrence and escalation in this evolving security challenge.
A new OpEd by Dr. Lami Kim published by the United States Institute for Peace. As North Korean soldiers deploy to Russia, South Korea faces complex security challenges that could shift the regional military balance. North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war marks the first large-scale combat engagement of its military since the Korean War, exposing its troops to modern warfare and potentially securing lucrative cash flows from Russia, despite sanctions. Additionally, the specter of Moscow supplying Pyongyang with advanced military technologies threatens to destabilize the Korean Peninsula.
“Water, Water, Everywhere: Advancing Water Security Through Improving Water Quality,” authored by DKI APCSS Professor Ethan Allen, explores the essential role of water quality technology in bolstering water security across the Indo-Pacific region. This piece highlights how advancements in decontamination technologies are vital to addressing water contamination, which is worsening due to climate change, population growth, and pollution. Professor Allen explains that many communities in the region rely on compromised water sources for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses. The article reviews progress in filtration, heat, chemical treatments, and evaporation-re-condensation methods for removing various pollutants. Noteworthy innovations, such as atmospheric water generation and solar distillation, present adaptable and sustainable solutions to water scarcity.
Dive deep into the future of underwater competition with leading experts from around the globe! This webinar unites five specialists from Korea, the United States, and India to explore the critical challenges and emerging technologies in underwater competition, maritime domain awareness, seabed warfare, and the protection of vital submarine cables.
Latest News TestAPCSS Editor2024-08-22T13:55:50-10:00
