Dan Sneider

Kim Jong Un at party congress builds a wall with South Korea - Asia Times The Ninth Congress of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party covered ground this past week that was familiar from its last gathering five years ago. Kim Jong

My view of the North Korean party congress republished in Asia Times.
asiatimes.com/2026/02/kim-...

Kim Jong Un Builds a Wall With South Korea at Party Congress - Korea Economic Institute of America Kim Jong Un’s speech at the Ninth Party Congress covered familiar themes on economic and military development and preconditions for dialogue with the United States, but revealed deep antagonism toward...

My look at the message delivered at the North Korean party Congress by Kim Jong Un, for KEI.
keia.org/the-peninsul...

The Ellisons will Paramount-ize CNN, which seems included in the new offer, to become a pro-MAGA all-news network. Or they will rename CNN something like "CBS 24 News." This way, Trump and Vance won't have to depend on the Murdochs and FOX News, but can build up CNN as an in-house mouthpiece.

An emboldened Kim flaunts nuclear ambitions while leaving room for U.S. talks Offering “peaceful coexistence or eternal confrontation,” North Korea’s leader said he would only restart talks if the U.S. ends “hostile” policies and accepts Pyongyang’s nuclear status.

And nicely done by Michelle Lee of the Post. Headline does not fit the story, not unusual.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

China piles pressure on Japan after Takaichi Sanae’s triumph The latest feud between the East Asian giants is unlikely to end soon

www.economist.com/asia/2026/02...

What North Korea’s mysterious party congress reveals Kim Jong Un uses a five-yearly gathering to boost his daughter, and more

The North Korean Workers Party congress is over -- now the analysis. What I saw -- no opening to Trump, a complete rejection of any form of engagement with South Korea, even a rejection of the goal of reunification, a totally militarized economy.
www.economist.com/asia/2026/02...

Japan PM says she personally doesn't approve of 'nuclear sharing' with US - The Mainichi TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a House of Representatives plenary session on Feb. 24 that she personally doesn't support

Takaichi says no to nuclear sharing -- an idea promoted by the late PM Abe, her mentor. Interesting.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...

What Happens to the U.S.-Korea Trade Deal With IEEPA Off the Table? - Korea Economic Institute of America The Trump administration’s ability to levy tariffs in other ways will likely persuade South Korea to keep its investment commitments under the tariff deal.

keia.org/the-peninsul...

South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection Ex-leader sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour over failed martial law declaration in 2024

South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

Trump says "honored" to see Japan PM's party won big, touts his endorsement U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he was "very honored" to see Japan's ruling party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi win this month's general election by a landslide, suggesting his end...

Right on schedule, Trump takes credit for Takaichi's victory.
english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/7...

How Sana-mania swept Japan Sanae Takaichi’s sweeping victory, powered by personal popularity and digital savvy, now faces the hard test of governing

My analysis of how PM Takaichi won Japan’s election: a nationalist narrative, personal popularity and digital savvy. But lofty promises of strategic investment and national strength now face the constraints of fiscal reality and intensifying great power competition
eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/15/h...

Redrawing America’s Security Bargains in Northeast Asia - Korea Economic Institute of America The Trump administration’s attempts to redraw the security bargains with South Korea and Japan are creating growing tension and uncertainty.

The U.S. is reinterpreting its security agreements with Japan and South Korea in ways that could undermine stability and increase tensions and uncertainty in Northeast Asia, cautions @dcsneider.bsky.social: ow.ly/vTv250YeqGB

America’s security bargains in Northeast Asia are being redrawn - Asia Times The stability of Northeast Asia has long rested on two strategic bargains with South Korea and Japan, forged out of the Korean War and formalized in

My piece on the shift in US ties with Japan and Korea, republished in AsiaTimes.
asiatimes.com/2026/02/amer...

Redrawing America’s Security Bargains in Northeast Asia - Korea Economic Institute of America The Trump administration’s attempts to redraw the security bargains with South Korea and Japan are creating growing tension and uncertainty.

My latest, for KEI, on how the Trump administration is undermining the postwar strategic bargains with Japan and Korea.
keia.org/the-peninsul...

‘Takaichi oshi’: How fan fervor brought voters back to the LDP | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis Even with rare snow flurries falling across central Tokyo on Feb. 7, the cold did not deter the 4,000 people gathered in Rekisen Park in Bunkyo Ward.

www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Pushes the Country Further to the Right Sanae Takaichi secured a supermajority in Japan’s lower house of parliament, giving her significant power to push a harder line against China and pursue a more restrictive immigration policy.

Useful discussion of Japanese election from Harvard's Gordon.
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...

ポスターに『中国』のイタズラも…野党の重鎮・岡田克也元副総理が落選 敗因に挙げたSNS等での「デマや批判」（東海テレビ） - Yahoo!ニュース 今回の衆院選で、野党「中道改革連合」は全国で大物の落選が相次ぎました。その一人が、三重3区の岡田克也元副総理です。過去12回連続当選を誇った岡田さんが、なぜ敗れたのでしょうか。

Maybe not the most important reason but I wonder whether Okada's part in Takaichi's Taiwan remarks contributed to his defeat. He did seem to be singled out with slanderous content online, so who knows.

news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/14e...

Sanae Takaichi targets changes to Japan’s constitution after landslide election win Prime minister says she feels ‘heavy responsibility’ to strengthen country

So will Takaichi go down the constitutional revision route? She is signaling she will use her new power to that end. The end of the postwar era that Abe sought in sight?
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Trump's support for Japan's Takaichi masks fury over investment delays US leader suspects foot-dragging, but Tokyo wants to be first to announce major project

Mafia boss Don to his new capo, Takaichi -- I got you elected, now give me the money honey.
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

Recommended for anyone trying to wrap their heads around what just happed in Japan.

RULING: PM Takaichi vows to secure "understanding" if she visits war-linked Yasukuni

Post election pragmatism from Takaichi -- so far.
english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/7...

Coalition pushes revival of ranks from imperial military days | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis The ruling coalition aims to restore Japanese military ranks used in World War II for members of the Self-Defense Forces, a plan that has drawn concern and bewilderment in the Defense Ministry.

The Asahi Shimbun: "Japan's ruling coalition aims to restore Japanese military ranks used in World War II for members of the Self-Defense Forces, a plan that has drawn concern and bewilderment in the Defense Ministry." www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

The assassination that changed Japan How a lone wolf killing set off a chain reaction

terrific podcast by The Economist's Iida Moeka on the trial of Abe's assassin and the reverberations of this in Japan.
www.economist.com/podcasts/202...

Takaichi Sanae relies on her keenest fans in Japan The prime minister’s hopes for her snap election depend on their ardour

The Takaichi magic -- how far does it go? The Economist ponders that question.
www.economist.com/asia/2026/01...

[Editorial] New US defense strategy highlights South Korea’s need to achieve defense autonomy Seoul must use the opportunity afforded by the shifting US defense priorities to accelerate the recovery of OPCON

Hearing the message loud and clear from Colby et al, the Koreans are now aiming for "defense autonomy." Are nuclear weapons far off?
english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...

What May Be Driving Trump's Latest Tariff Threat Against South Korea - Korea Economic Institute of America Investment commitments and tariff deals with the U.S. may now have to be completed with the caveat in mind that anything can change at a moment’s notice.

keia.org/the-peninsul...

(News Focus) Trump's tariff hike announcement seemingly aimed at expediting S. Korea's investment in U.S.: experts | Yonhap News Agency SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise announcement to rai...

More drama from Trump re Korea and trade/investment -- timed to Colby's visit? Maybe not but no doubt not helping.
en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2026...

Why Donald Trump Wants Takaichi to Win | World | The ORIENTAL ECONOMIST Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae wants the coming election to be a referendum on her personal leadership. In that contest, she has already won one vote – from U.S. President Donald Trump.Is a clear vic…

In English, my article for Toyo Keizai Online, on trump and the Japanese election.
toyokeizai.net/articles/-/9...

トランプが認めた｢高市早苗｣という選択——アメリカ知日派が絶賛する"勝負師"の素顔と､小泉純一郎に重なるリーダーシップ 高市早苗首相は、今度の選挙を自らのリーダーシップを問う国民投票にしたいと考えています。その戦いにおいて、彼女はすでに1票を手にしています。アメリカのドナルド・トランプ大統領からの票です。高市氏の圧勝…

My article in Japanese (English version to follow) in Toyo Keizai Online, on why Trump wants Takaichi to win the coming Japanese election.
toyokeizai.net/articles/-/9...