This playlist contains select lecture material from Dr Benjamin Habib’s undergraduate subject “Contemporary Politics of Northeast Asia” (POL2CPA) at La Trobe University. This subject examines key issues in the international […]
North Korea is in the headlines again with a statement from leader Kim Jong-un threatening a “pre-emptive nuclear strike of justice” on Washington and Seoul, saying “If we push the […]
Audio of my presentation at the Australian Institute of International Affairs – Victoria on Thursday 25th February 2016, exploring the relationship between the North Korean government’s efforts at strengthening its […]
North Korea’s multi-stage long-range rocket test on 7 February, coming soon after its fourth nuclear weapons test in January, has drawn condemnation from the international community. North Korea’s previous nuclear test […]
North Korea is one of the region’s most enigmatic states. It is one of the poorest states in Asia, yet is well on its way to developing a nuclear weapon. […]
A version of this article was originally published in Asian Currents, the e-bulletin of the Asian Studies Association of Australia. See: Habib, B. (2013). “North Korea’s ‘rational’ belligerence.” Asian Currents. […]
By Benjamin Habib, Special to CNN December 12, 2012 — Updated 0218 GMT (1018 HKT) — Melbourne (CNN) — The curious timing of North Korea’s Unha-3 rocket launch, outside of […]
My interview on Radio Australia this morning with Liam Cochrane on Connect Asia… *** Listen to interview here *** — North Korea attention seeking from region in transition (Credit: ABC) […]
By Benjamin Habib, La Trobe University This article was originally published at The Conversation. Read the original article. — As the first anniversary of Great Leader Kim Jong Il’s death […]
BY BEN HABIB. The technical aspects of the failed Unha-3 rocket launch are less interesting than the political undercurrents swirling around this event. The rocket’s explosion has spared the United States and its regional allies some loss of face while for North Korea, it represents a missed opportunity for Pyongyang to maximise its diplomatic and strategic leverage, over and above any threat to Kim Jong-un’s legitimacy as leader.
