The Useful Russians

I want to encourage you to read this briefing at the Foreign Policy Research Institute from Rensselaer Lee and William Severe which proposes that the Russians be encouraged to get involved in the situation with North Korea:

This briefing argues that the United States should attempt to engage Russia as a potential broker of negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. Russia’s ascension to a more prominent role in North Korean affairs is long overdue, and could add some heft to the international community’s negotiating positions vis-à-vis Pyongyang.

The briefing also argues that the policy of economic sanctions on North Korea, while important in pressuring Pyongyang, has proven insufficient in coercing the country to restrain or relinquish its nuclear and missile programs. One reason for this lack of success is North Korea’s skill at evading sanctions via shell companies and Chinese intermediaries. A second reason is that not all parties to the sanctions, most notably the Chinese, have demonstrated the level of commitment required to implement an airtight sanctions regime

If there’s one thing that should be of no concern to us at all, it’s the prospect of Russia becoming too chummy with China. It is of no more concern than would a cobra getting pally with a mongoose. Russia’s involvement might change China’s calculus in determining where their interests lie. It also highlights just how counter-productive fostering a hostile relationship between Russia and the United States is.