The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict

by Elbridge A. Colby

The United States should undertake an integrated approach to managing this problem. First, it should seek to inhibit as much as possible the maturation and growth of North Korea’s long-range missile and nuclear arsenals. An important part of this may be linking the development of North Korea’s arsenal with Chinese support and ensuring that China is properly incentivized to eliminate or at least minimize Pyongyang’s access to the technology and other resources needed for this effort.36 Second, the United States should seek to improve its missile defense systems while bending the cost curve back toward its favor, if possible.37 Third, the United States and others can seek to engage North Korea diplomatically to try to stem the growth of its nuclear and missile arsenals.