Room for Debate: Nuclear Neighbors for North Korea?

China, Japan and South Korea's Turn

Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman, author, "American Umpire"

The U.S. has provided stalwart leadership in Asia since World War II, but good leaders develop new ones.

Seoul's Nuclear Weapon Is the U.S.

Siegfried S. Hecker and Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University

Turning to nuclear weapons would isolate South Korea and damage its economy while doing little to make it more secure.

China Must Weigh Its Options

Daniel Blumenthal, American Enterprise Institute

If Kim Jong-un and his arsenal remain, China's great fear that Japan and South Korea will acquire nuclear weapons becomes more likely.

For South Korea, It's Unrealistic

Duyeon Kim, The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

The more important question: Does President Obama have a clear North Korea policy, or even an interest in developing one?

For Japan, There Are Other Options

Narushige Michishita, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo

The likely scenarios for a North Korean attack on Japan don't require a nuclear response.

The U.S. and Its Allies Need a Strong Defense

Bruce Klingner, The Heritage Foundation

Since diplomatic efforts have failed to curb North Korea's reckless behavior, the U.S. and its allies need strong military forces to protect themselves.