Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 18, 2018

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

North Korea: We Asked 9 of the World's Leading Experts What Happens Next

Is war still possible? Could we convince Kim to give up his nukes? An all-star group of Korea watchers gives us some insights.

After a heavily choreographed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12, 2018, talks between the two countries appear to have hit roadblocks one month later. Kim refused to meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he visited North Korea in early July, and North Korea accused the American side of having a “gangster-like mindset.” On July 12, North Korean officials didn’t show up at a scheduled meeting at the DMZ to discuss returning the remains of U.S. troops. However, the meeting took place on Sunday, July 15 instead.

What does this mean for the future of United States-North Korea relations? Where will the talks go from here? The National Interest asked nine scholars and experts for their views on the following question:

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- July 18, 2018

What Helsinki Wrought -- Dov S. Zakheim, National Interest

Trump, Putin and NATO: The Rise of the Strategic Doughnut -- Michael Shoebridge, The Strategist

Vladimir Putin is on top after the World Cup and meeting Donald Trump, but will it last? -- Alexey D Muraviev, ABC News Online

In battle for Putin’s affections, cupid favors Xi over Trump -- Yanan Wang, AP

Putin Needs Iran in Syria -- Alexandra Gutowski & Caleb Weiss, RCD

What’s Next For Syria after Helsinki Summit? -- Maxim Suchkov, Al Monitor

Under Assad’s grip, uneasy co-existence with former rebels -- Bassem Mroue, AP

You Won't Win: 5 Reasons No One Wants to Go to War with Israel -- Robert Farley, National Interest

In Iraq, old grievances fuel deadly protests -- AFP

Iran's Dire Straits -- Steven Ward, The Cipher Brief

How Venezuela Struck It Poor -- Keith Johnson, Foreign Policy

Can Mexico’s president-elect end culture of corruption? -- Richard Hobbs, Mercury News

China's ambassador: Donald Trump's trade war is unjustified and unfair -- Cui Tiankai, USA Today

Europe’s Smack to Google May Only Be the Beginning -- Ian Bogost, The Atlantic