Five months studying at the Kim Il Sung University are unique, illuminating, and often kafkaesque. They were also, to my surprise, extremely dull.

So, during this author’s sojourn, the evening news was always a welcome relief. Like good DPRK-student rebels, my roommate and I would turn on, tune in, and watch carefully.

In September 2014, the evening news included a feature on the ongoing Crimean conflict. The presenter explained how peaceful Russian engagement was being subverted by unjustified and belligerent American imperialism.

The EU’s desires for peaceful negotiation were, the presenter described, being trampled underfoot by Washington’s warmongering. You