As Taiwan gears up for its regional “nine-in-one” elections, which will select candidates for a slew of municipal and local offices, many campaigns have focused on local issues. However, interested observers will endeavor to draw larger implications for the 2016 presidential and legislative elections.

Ma Ying-jeou’s landslide victory in Taiwan’s 2008 presidential elections signal a shift in Taiwanese politics and an opportunity for better cross-strait relations. The United States must craft Taiwan policy to preserve peace and stability in the region.

Carnegie hosted a discussion, “Next Steps on North Korea: Options Beyond Sanctions” with Randy Schriver, a founding partner of Armitage International LLC and a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Alan D. Romberg, Senior Associate at the Henry L. Stimson Center.  Carnegie Senior Associate Michael Swaine moderated the discussion.

If the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia can reach a basic understanding on how to handle North Korea, the effort to convince Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program and accept a reasonable "more-for-more" agreement, while not easy, should enjoy a reasonable chance of success.

While the world's attention is riveted on Iraq, the United States cannot afford to ignore the brewing crisis in Korea. The Bush administration's approach to North Korea is quickly moving from the inexplicable to the irresponsible. If it continues on the current course, America could soon find itself confronted with the unpalatable choice between a nuclear-armed North Korea and war.