Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to North Korea last week highlighted more than just the burgeoning military ties between the two countries; it showcased a shift in the grand strategy of the Kim regime toward big nations over the small.

During the Cold War era, North Korean leadership saw their country as a developmental model for small nations in the Third World, in addition to being a member of the socialist bloc.

This dual identity allowed North Korea to reap the benefits of Sino-Soviet competition, while also competing with South Korea for diplomatic recognition in the decolonizing world. 

Today,