Kim Jong Un’s February Congress: A Dangerous Escalation at America’s Doorstep

North Korea is once again positioning itself as a direct challenger to American security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The forthcoming Workers’ Party congress, slated for late February under Kim Jong Un’s iron grip, promises not only grandiose displays of authoritarian control but also renewed commitments to accelerating nuclear weapons development and forging strategic alliances that undermine U.S. influence. Is Washington Prepared for North Korea’s Growing Menace? Kim’s regime is exploiting global chaos—the war in Ukraine foremost among them—to expand its military might with alarming speed. Bolstered by close cooperation with Vladimir Putin’s Russia and a recently rejuvenated relationship...