
Books in Brief
Reviews of the latest releases on mosquitoes, the Islamic State, and Kim Jong Un.

In Japan and South Korea, Trump Boxed Himself In
The United States is not making progress in its trade war with China or in nuclear talks with North Korea.

Kim Jong Un Wants It All
Anna Fifield on how the North Korean leader uses class divisions to stay in power.

From Pariah to Pawn
Trump helped make Kim Jong Un a global statesman. Now China is using him to antagonize the United States.

It’s Not Personal. It’s Just Diplomacy.
North Korea is trying to make the nuclear talks all about Trump and Kim. But history shows that professionals must lay the groundwork first.

The Push for a Trump-Kim Nuke Deal Is Far From Over
When it comes to an agreement between Washington and Pyongyang, doing it right beats doing it fast.

The Hanoi Talks Failed. But That Could Be a Blessing in Disguise.
Former President Barack Obama’s arms control czar says Trump gained by showing he’s “not a soft touch.”

Trump Was Right to Walk Away
In resisting the temptation to make a bad deal, he avoided failure at the Hanoi summit.

Pompeo: Time to ‘Regroup’ After Vietnam Summit
North Korea disputes Trump's account of what went wrong in Vietnam. Can diplomats salvage Trump's ultimate deal with Kim Jong Un?

Sanctions or Saving Lives? Washington Juggles Another Pyongyang Dilemma
Trump administration pares back controversial “maximum pressure” strategy to allow charities to work in North Korea.

Our Best Weekend Reads
What to look for at next week’s meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, and trouble filling key U.S. government vacancies.

At the Hanoi Summit, Trump Should Hold Himself to His Own Standards
A freeze-for-freeze deal is exactly what the administration once swore it would not accept.

What Trump and Kim Won’t Be Talking About in Hanoi
North Korea continues to sell arms and chemical weapons material around the world, says a confidential U.N. report.

Trump and Kim Gotta Have Faith
There's no reason for the United States and North Korea to trust each other. But they have to try anyway.

Trump to Hold Second Meeting With North Korea’s Kim Next Month
The U.S. president will press his counterpart for more tangible commitments to dismantle nuclear weapons.

Give Peace With North Korea a Chance, but Remember Plan B
Diplomacy is working—for now.

Will Republicans Lose Their Majority in Congress? Ask Pyongyang
North Koreans are watching the U.S. midterm elections closely, wondering how the results might affect negotiations with Trump.

U.N. Brief: Trump Calls Kim Jong Un ‘Terrific,’ Prepares ‘Strong Words’ for Iranian Leaders
America’s European allies make case for international cooperation.

Trump’s Deal Is All Show, No Reality in Pyongyang
Negotiations with North Korea are a grueling process. The president’s empty boasts don’t help.