There were a few struggling points in the article with some, I fear, daring assertions about understanding China's complex concerns as though China were a unified singular government. Whether the writer is comprehensive in his understanding of the region is not perfectly clear - he may be an expert; however, his article is, to my liking, a bit flip in the potential quid pro quo scenarios. While this is fascinating novel fodder - the reasoning states very matter-of-factly some extreme reactions, implying a high likelihood. I fear he's taken a bit too much license in characterizing the region in the more detailed views. From a high altitude, the article provided an adequate overview.

This is a well developed story on many fronts. But, which do you choose. If Kim is overthrown, by his own army, you can bet the country will be locked down like never before while they get their ducks in a row, if their is a living duck in North Korea. These are dangerous games for a country that has gone Nuclear

Kaplan doesn't hit all the points, but brings out some viewpoints that broaden the discussion. Alleged goals of various countries are not directly attributed.

A good overview of many different factors that go into the relationships between North Korea and other nations.

Weak story based on false contention North Korea is an issue the US should be taking the lead with, when Russia and China obviously have far more at stake. Kaplan tries to argue that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, and to link the North Korea problem to Iran. In fact, Iran strongly denounced the nuclear test by North Korea, and made clear it is not seeking nuclear weapons.