How Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un could become partners in crime

It's time to start worrying about a Russia-North Korea alliance

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Bobby Yip, REUTERS/Mikhail Metzel/RIA Novosti/Kremlin)

You don't need to study international politics at Princeton to understand a basic truth: Shared enemies create shared interests. And shared interests create powerful reasons for nations that might not have much in common — even enemies — to work towards shared goals. Heck, they can even become allies if the stars align just right.

This is why Washington needs to start worrying about the possibility of an alliance it won't be thrilled about: Russia and North Korea. With both countries soon to be slapped with further sanctions by the United States, don't be shocked if Moscow tries to woo Pyongyang back into its orbit, an old pairing that once seemed fated to the history books.

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Harry J. Kazianis

Harry J. Kazianis is director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, founded by former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon.