The Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) and Implications for the North Korean Nuclear Crisis

Abstract

This article addresses the question of whether there is a peaceful way to defuse the North Korean nuclear crisis by examining the process leading to the Iran nuclear deal. The European approach to resolve security crises based on its principles of multilateralism and the rule of law provides valuable insights for nuclear diplomacy with North Korea: (1) a nuclear-focus approach that dissociates nuclear negotiations from Iran’s other troublesome issues helps the country continue with discussions preventing a military conflict and (2) a multilateral framework with a mediator can guarantee that deals remain alive even if one party breaks away.