North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has long been an outlier in the global international order, a fact which was exacerbated by the fall of the Soviet Union. For a long time the DPRK has been the epitome of the “Rogue State”, an international oddity closed off to the world and heavily sanctioned. However, the global shift from the US led unipolar world order towards multipolarity has opened up a unique opportunity for the DPRK to reengage with the international community, as a highly militarised, resource rich and unpredictable entity which could potentially act as the first nuclear proxy - allowing it to potentially play the role of the Houthis of the Pacific with little to no repercussions.‍ This article examines the capabilities and motives of the DPRK to disrupt trade and relations within the Asia-Pacific region through military and civilian engagements while also evaluating the cost-benefit analysis for the DPRK and the likelihood of the scenario.

The potential for a new Balkan war is looming. The war in Ukraine, declining US influence, and a global shift towards multipolarity, has once again placed the region firmly into a potential frontline of conflicting ambition between East and West. However, accession into the EU could present a unique opportunity for preventing a regional conflict. Via frictionless borders, equalising economic development & integration, acting as a quasi-Yugoslavia, the EU could be the beacon of hope that the Balkans has been yearning for.