North Korea diplomacy in a shifting geopolitical order

Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EDT 
Online only: https://www.brookings.edu/events/nk-diplomacy-shifting-geopolitical-order 

Recent shifts in the global order, including the tightening Russia-China-North Korea axis and the U.S. retreat from global leadership, necessitate  a fresh approach to future diplomacy with North Korea. As sanctions erode and alliances recalibrate, Pyongyang remains resistant to engagement, making the prospects for denuclearization and regional stability more uncertain than ever. 

In a newly launched paper series, “The new geopolitics of Asia and the prospects of North Korea diplomacy,” contributors examine the path forward for diplomacy with Pyongyang and its implications for denuclearization, inter-Korean relations, and regional security.

On May 15, the Center for Asia Policy Studies at Brookings will host a webinar to assess how changes in the geopolitical environment and current regional developments have shaped the direction of and stability in Northeast Asia. Drawing on deep expertise on the two Koreas, Russia, and the United States, the panelists will examine the prospects for diplomacy with North Korea and its implications for the broader security landscape.

Viewers can submit questions via email to events@brookings.edu.