Leon V. Sigal

Leon V. Sigal argues in the following viewpoint that the threat of ballistic missile attack by North Korea is better addressed with diplomacy than the creation of missile defense systems. North Korea has willingly suspended missile testing and desires a diplomatic solution with the United States, he contends. Negotiating an agreement with North Korea to end its missile threat is a better solution than deploying an untested missile defense system. Sigal is the author of Disarming Strangers: Nuclear Diplomacy in North Korea.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What does North Korea want in exchange for giving up its missiles, according to Sigal?
2. What has China concluded about the American pursuit of missile defense systems, in the author’s view?
3. What initial steps does Sigal believe the United States...