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The authors discuss the origins of the pivot to Asia, the strategy of former U.S. president Barack Obama administration in the Asia-Pacific. They say that the strategy was an attempt to correct the weak and fl awed early Obama Asia policy. Supporters of the strategy argued that it was a sensible reaction to global geostrategic realities.

Discusses the alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, considered as one of the most successful political-military relationships forged out of the Cold War era. Factors that determine the success of a military alliance; Trends and developments that caused several changes in the alliance, including the deterrence of North Korean aggression; Background on the notional criteria that must be met by the changes; Recommendations on lessening South Korean concerns regarding U.S. abandonment.

The US-South Korea alliance has been one of the most successful relationships to be forged out of the Cold War era. Since the June 2000 inter-Korean summit, however, one area of consistent friction between the two countries has been over North-South relations. In this article, Victor Cha, associate professor of Government and D.S. Song-Korea Foundation Chair in the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, argues that a key dynamic at play is one of perception, involving errors of attribution. Allied complaints about the other are heard, but attempts to address these complaints are dismissed by the counterpart as having been determined by the situation rather than by volition—that is, disposition. This results in mutual frustration. Since the "axis of evil" appellation attached to North Korea by US president, George Bush, both sides have interpreted North Korean behavior as confirming their own convictions on how to proceed. Despite rhetoric to the contrary, the result has been a dichotomy in the way the two governments approach inter-Korean relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses issues related to the social, political and economic changes in Korea. Reassessment of the North Korean threat; Discussion on the unification of Korea; Relevance of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Examines the critical role played by history and culture in Japan and South Korea's relations with the United States. Role of historical antagonism in the relations of Japan and South Korea to the US; Effect of the Japanese and Korean perceptions of their common great power patron's security commitment on the level of military cooperation between the two quasi-allied states.

Focuses on the rationale for the engagement policies used on North Korea following former United States (U.S.) Defense Secretary William Perry's review of U.S. policy for the country. How engagement can be the best alternative for North Korea; Cases against the neglect and containment of North Korea; Obstacles and area of concerns with engagement; Issues in U.S.-South Korean alliance relations.