| Summary/Abstract |
After Pyongyang’s test of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) capable of
hitting the mainland United States (US), the possibility of an Armageddon or the
‘end of the world’ seems more realistic than ever. In particular, North Korea’s threat
to take out the US military base in Guam has altered the strategic equations.
Given the recent escalation of tension between North Korea and global powers,
this paper provides an insight into the triggers and the credibility of North
Korean nuclear threats with a view to analysing way out for de-escalation. By
exploring the triggering factors behind the standoff and their ramifications, it
contends that policy dichotomy of great powers, unrestrained rhetoric from
the key players and ill-suited bargaining tactics may lead to miscalculations by
adversaries, potentially aggravating the crisis. Based on these arguments, the
paper ends with an exposition of possible options to de-escalate the situation.
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