Nathan Robb, a political analyst at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, writes about the discussions between South Korean, Japanese, and American envoys on North Korean nuclear affairs. Japan has reservations about negotiating with the North Koreans when they have not acknowledged the abduction of dozens of Japanese civilians from 1979 to 1983.

Washington’s disclosure of an Israeli air strike on a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor has raised questions about both Syrian and U.S. motives in the region.

Washington’s latest revisions to its stance on North Korea nuclear-disarmament talks, experts say, threatens to undermine counter-proliferation efforts.

Gary Samore, a senior arms-control negotiator in the Clinton administration, says the Bush administration has agreed to a compromise with North Korea on demands for it to confess the extent of its uranium-enrichment activities.

Charles A. Kupchan and Ray Takeyh argue that “despite the tightening of U.N. sanctions, the West’s efforts to contain Iran are crumbling where it matters most: in the Middle East.”

David Albright, a well-known expert on Iran’s nuclear program, says Iran seems determined to press ahead with its uranium-enrichment program, despite continued pressure from the UN Security Council to suspend its work.

Michael A. Levi argues that “too many scientists today wrongly assume that a lack of information is the biggest barrier facing terrorists or countries that might build nuclear bombs, and they overstate the risks involved in sharing information as a result.”

Michael Gerson explains how “at least five former high-level Bush administration officials are deeply disillusioned with the current policy on North Korea.”

Listen to CFR fellow Michael A. Levi discuss mechanisms for preventing nuclear terrorism with students as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call Series.

This call was made possible in part by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

North Korea’s missed deadline on its denuclearization pact and new tough rhetoric revive concerns about the regime’s sincerity and stability.

Michael Levi writes that the “the NIE won't actually alter the debate about Iran.”

CFR Fellow for Science and Technology Michael A. Levi discusses his new book, On Nuclear Terrorism, which highlights many of the obstacles potential nuclear terrorists face.

Michael Levi writes that “the revelation last week that Slovak and Hungarian police arrested three men suspected of selling uranium powder is sure to spark an investigation into how security at the source of those materials failed. It would be wise, though, to study not only how defenses failed but also how authorities succeeded in breaking up the plot.”

Max Boot urges the United States to “tell the Gulf Arabs that if they expect the U.S. to stand with them in the future, they need to stand with us publicly, not just privately.”

The war of words between Washington and Tehran has given way to glimmers of diplomacy. Is a thaw on the horizon?