The CGSC Foundation and its Simons Center hosted a gathering of the Des Moines National Security Forum at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa on Nov. 6, 2024. In this presentation of the forum, James E. Platte, Ph.D., an analyst with the Institute for Defense Analyses, provided a presentation entitled “North Korea-China-Russia: Emerging Axis?”
Simons Center Director Bob Ulin welcomed the ARNSF members and welcomed guests. After lunch, he introduced Platte.
(Top photo and above) James E. Platte, Ph.D., an analyst with the Institute for Defense Analyses, provides a presentation entitled “North Korea-China-Russia: Emerging Axis?” during the Des Moines National Security Forum at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa on Nov. 6, 2024.
In his presentation, Platte reviewed the history the between North Korea, China, and Russia and what has led up to the current situation with North Korea trying to court both. He discussed the need to protect the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and how harm to him would be catastrophic to the state which somewhat explains North Korea’s approach to COVID – complete lockdown – to ensure Kim and his family would remain safe from the virus. He also briefly mentioned the current antagonistic relationship with South Korea. Platte’s presentation also delved into the geopolitical and strategic implications of the relationship for the U.S. and Japan in particular, which included North Korea likely having the capability to range the continental U.S. with its missile technology.
In his concluding remarks, Platte said that the China-Russia-North Korea relationship may not represent a new “Axis,” but is nonetheless threatening. North Korea’s support of the Ukrainian war could provide Russia with a battlefield advantage, while Russian assistance with North Korea’s missile programs would further challenge U.S. deterrence. Ultimately, Platte said that the U.S. and its allies must continue political commitment and cooperation to counter the threat, and just as importantly, balance allied cooperation so as to avoid pushing China into a closer alliance with North Korea and Russia.
After the presentation, Platte led a question and answer session with the attendees. An interesting point that came up during Q&A is how Japan changed its constitution to allow for its military to enable it to conduct offensive operations and the establishment of a combined U.S.-Japanese command.
At the conclusion of the evening Ulin presented Platte with a small gift in appreciation for his time with the Forum.
James E. Platte, Ph.D., is an analyst with the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) and has expertise in strategic deterrence, nuclear weapons, energy security, Northeast Asian politics, and U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Before joining IDA in 2024, Dr. Platte was a faculty member in professional military education programs at the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies and at the U.S. Air Force Center for Strategic Deterrence Studies. His teaching focused on deterrence, nuclear operations, strategy, and Asian studies. His research and writings have appeared in “Asian Perspective,” “Comparative Strategy,” “Cyber Defense Review,” and the “Journal of International Politics,” among others. He previously worked on counterproliferation and nuclear security issues with the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Department of Energy. He also held research fellowships with the National Bureau of Asian Research, East-West Center, Pacific Forum, Council on Foreign Relations, and Harvard Kennedy School. He holds a doctorate in international relations from Tufts University.
The CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center designed the Des Moines National Security Forum in the mold of its Arter-Rowland National Security Forum in Kansas City, wherein members of the forum meet periodically at guest speaker events to learn about issues related to national security. To help facilitate the new program in Des Moines, Brownells in Grinnell, Iowa, is the Simons Center’s local partner. Brownells Chairman Pete Brownell is also the Vice Chair for the Central Region of the U.S. for the CGSC Foundation’s board of trustees. The Simons Center plans to present at least four programs each year by subject matter experts on national security issues of interest to the Des Moines community.
Command and General Staff College Foundation President/CEO Lora Morgan and Simons Center Director Col. (Ret.) Bob Ulin expressed thanks to the sponsors of the 2024 Des Moines National Security Forum: Brownells, Mercy One, Wellable, Nyemaster|Goode, along with community leaders Terry and Joyce Lillis, and Bob Myers.
For more photos visit the CGSC Foundation Flickr album
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