March 19, 2024

About the author

Robert E. McCoy

Robert E. McCoy is a retired U.S. Air Force Korean linguist and analyst/reporter who was stationed in Asia for more than fourteen years. He continues to follow developments in East Asia closely. Mr. McCoy’s book Tales You Wouldn’t Tell Your Mother is now out. He can be contacted via his website http://musingsbymccoy.com/ which also lists his previous essays and has personal vignettes on Asia (Tidbits) not published elsewhere.

More articles by 'Robert E. McCoy'

How more great power diplomacy could solve the North Korean nuclear problem

How more great power diplomacy could solve the North Korean nuclear problem

A U.S.-China pact to protect their respective client states would put both North and South Korea under nuclear umbrellas

How more great power diplomacy could solve the North Korean nuclear problem
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy January 21, 2020
With talks going nowhere, the U.S. must now pressure North Korea on human rights

With talks going nowhere, the U.S. must now pressure North Korea on human rights

Pyongyang's grim record could be a formidable tool in the looming pressure campaign

With talks going nowhere, the U.S. must now pressure North Korea on human rights
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy December 17, 2019
Friends disunited: breaking down an increasingly-tense U.S.-ROK alliance

Friends disunited: breaking down an increasingly-tense U.S.-ROK alliance

Friction surrounding cost-sharing negotiations should not overshadow Korea's strategic importance to the U.S.

Friends disunited: breaking down an increasingly-tense U.S.-ROK alliance
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy November 27, 2019
The U.S. still knows worryingly little about how to deal with North Korea

The U.S. still knows worryingly little about how to deal with North Korea

A naïve President and so-called experts frequently show their lack of historical understanding

The U.S. still knows worryingly little about how to deal with North Korea
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy October 17, 2019
As talks with North Korea stall, it’s time for some outside-the-box thinking

As talks with North Korea stall, it’s time for some outside-the-box thinking

The same approaches are continually recycled with – unsurprisingly – no positive results

As talks with North Korea stall, it’s time for some outside-the-box thinking
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy September 2, 2019
The other threat from North Korea: international weapons proliferation

The other threat from North Korea: international weapons proliferation

DPRK weapons sales to the Middle East and Africa of great concern, but receive little attention

The other threat from North Korea: international weapons proliferation
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy August 1, 2019
North Korea’s “Songun Iskander” test: what observers might have missed

North Korea’s “Songun Iskander” test: what observers might have missed

Both the U.S. and South Korea must own up to the threat the DPRK's new missiles pose

North Korea’s “Songun Iskander” test: what observers might have missed
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy May 29, 2019
Is resistance futile? Prospects for popular uprising in North Korea

Is resistance futile? Prospects for popular uprising in North Korea

Some recent reports suggest internal opposition to Kim Jong Un could be growing

Is resistance futile? Prospects for popular uprising in North Korea
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy May 26, 2019
Why offering sanctions relief may be the wrong bait for Kim Jong Un

Why offering sanctions relief may be the wrong bait for Kim Jong Un

Long-term, the North Koreans are much more concerned with regime security

Why offering sanctions relief may be the wrong bait for Kim Jong Un
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy May 7, 2019
Why both Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump want a third summit

Why both Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump want a third summit

The two appear open to meeting again, though it's unclear what further talks could actually achieve

Why both Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump want a third summit
Robert E. McCoy
Robert E. McCoy April 29, 2019
1 2 3 4 8