Joshua Kurlantzick argues, "China can't fix North Korea, so don't ask it to try."

Colonel Gian Gentile discusses the ability of the U.S. military to deal with the conflict in the Korean peninsula.

Leslie H. Gelb says North Korea's attack on a South Korean island likely won't escalate into a full-blown battle, but war is closer than in decades.

Peter M. Beck argues that the attack on Yeonpyeong is a sign of internal pressures on the North Korean regime--and a warning that America's current approach to the region isn't working.

Reports of a newly operational nuclear enrichment facility in North Korea highlight the regime's defiance of U.S. policy and UN sanctions as well as China's increasing closeness with North Korea, says CFR's Scott Snyder.

Further provocations by North Korea as well as other dangerous military interactions on or around the Korean peninsula remain a serious risk and carry the danger of unintended escalation.

CFR's Scott A. Snyder discusses the CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force Report on U.S. Policy Toward the Korean Peninsula with students, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Academic Initiative.

Peter M. Beck discusses Kim Jong-Il's efforts to make family rule permanent in North Korea, and complications that may make smooth leadership transition feasible just in the short run.

Scott A. Snyder says North Korea is increasingly dependent on China, and no longer appears to attach the same priority to improving relations with the United States.

With Tuesday's military promotions, North Korea's Kim Jong-Il created a triumvirate to succeed him. But this "collective leadership" will not change relations with the United States anytime soon, says  CFR expert Sue M. Terry.

A meeting of North Korean officials is expected to signal succession to Kim Jong-Il. Experts say the power transition is unlikely to herald reforms, and urge efforts to engage with the regime.

North Korea's elites prepare for a new regime they hope will look at lot like the current one.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula need to be managed carefully so that growing South Korean and U.S. intolerance for Korean belligerence doesn't lead to unintended military escalation, say CFR's Scott Snyder and Paul Stares.

Washington's new sanctions against North Korea, focusing on international financial institutions and banking systems, are likely to have more impact than trade sanctions, says North Korea economic expert Marcus Noland.

Korean Peninsula tensions are high, in part fueled by U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. Experts say the United States must continue to work toward North Korea's denuclearization and prepare for volatility with a leadership change in Pyongyang.

This report by Amnesty International compiles interviews from North Koreans documenting widespread malnutrition-induced illness and lack of health care, both due to poor government policies.

Is it too late to convince North Korea and Iran to dismantle their nuclear programs?