Trump's Obsession with Tariffs Disregards Strategic Benefits for Seoul, American Defense Analysts Alert
Unfiltered, Wickedly Frank Discussion at the 2025 Asan Plenum
Chung Mong-joon, a fierce influencer and founder of the Seoul-based Asan Institute of Policy Studies, shared the spotlight with ex-U.S. deputy secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, at a lively forum hosted by the Asan Institute. [NEWS1]
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Tarriffs Taking Center Stage, Allies Left in the Dust
Randall Schriver, no stranger to controversy as President Donald Trump's former assistant secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, swayed the audience during a press roundtable at the Asan Institute. [ASAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES]
Victor Cha, the Korea chair at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, spoke his piece at the same press roundtable hosted by the Asan Institute. [ASAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES]
No Deal Anticipated Before the June 3 Election
John Everard, former British Ambassador to North Korea, held court during a press roundtable hosted by the Asan Institute. [ASAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES]
U.S. Troop Withdrawal Could Be a Pain in the Ass for North Korea
Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst who isn't shy about voicing his thoughts at the California-based RAND Corporation, weighed in during a press roundtable at the Asan Institute. [ASAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES]
North Korea Embraces Nuclear Saturated Tactics
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In a raw, no-holds-barred gathering, experts shared their insights on vital international issues.
- Enrichment morsels:A recent analysis by Bruce Bennett, friggin' brilliant defense analyst from the RAND Corporation, highlighted North Korea's shift towards tactical nuclear saturation (more than 300 tactical warheads) and internal chaos due to troop deployments to Russia. This intel suggests hammering them with psychological operations to exploit their weaknesses.
Discussions likely covered crucial regional dynamics like DPRK-Russia relations (expanding economic, social, and cultural cooperation alongside Russia's push to ease sanctions and invest in North Korean infrastructure), South Korea's Middle East strategy (defense and nuclear power cooperation with Gulf states, plus post-war reconstruction roles in Gaza), and U.S.-ROK alliance issues (dude, Trump's tariff focus conflicting with security priorities).
The mention of Japan's ambassador at the forum suggests discussions on Japan-ROK collaboration amid escalating tensions. However, direct references to Schriver, Cha, or Everard in the provided materials remain elusive, leaving us guessing about the specifics of their discussions.
For nitty-gritty details, transcripts or summaries from the Plenum would be invaluable. Otherwise, grab a brew, settle in, and watch the drama unfold!
- The 2025 Asan Plenum saw a discussion on war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, with Chung Mong-joon and Kurt Campbell sharing the stage at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
- Randall Schriver, former assistant secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, raised eyebrows during a press roundtable at the Asan Institute, discussing international tarrifs and its impact on allies.
- In the same press roundtable, Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, talked about various topics including finance, society, and politics.
- John Everard, former British Ambassador to North Korea, also participated in a press roundtable hosted by the Asan Institute, discussing defense and general-news subjects.
- Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, presented an analysis on North Korea's shift towards tactical nuclear saturation, providing an insight into the country's potential weaknesses.
- At the Asan Plenum, experts debated regional dynamics such as DPRK-Russia relations, South Korea's Middle East strategy, and U.S.-ROK alliance issues, including Donald Trump's tariff focus and security priorities.
- The forum also included discussions on Japan-ROK collaboration, but specific details about the involvement of Schriver, Cha, or Everard remain unclear from the provided materials.
- Transcripts or summaries from the Plenum would provide a more detailed understanding of the extensive discourse on diplomacy, defense, industry, and other critical international topics.
