With wars occuring in Ukraine and the Middle East, North Korea continues to make advancements in nuclear weapons development.
Join the Global Policy Area for a teach-in with former US diplomat and researcher Mark Fitzpatrick to explore North Korea’s nuclear development and what this means during a time of fractured global order. No prior knowledge of North Korea required.
Fitzpatrick’s career spans from working both as a U.S. diplomat when he served in Seoul and Tokyo and in Vienna liaising with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and as a researcher with the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London and Washington. He and his colleagues could not stop North Korea from going nuclear, and every option aimed at stopping their weapons development has failed.
Participants can expect to gain an understanding of arms-control issues in the Korean peninsula. Lunch is provided, register here.
Mark Fitzpatrick:
A former US diplomat, Mark Fitzpatrick is an Associate Fellow at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). From 2005 to 2019, he headed the institute’s Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Programme. He concurrently headed the IISS Washington office from 2015-2019. His books on nuclear dangers and related issues include Uncertain future: the JCPOA and Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes (2019) and The Iranian Nuclear Crisis: Avoiding worst-case outcomes (2008). He also produced book-length IISS strategic dossiers on Iran’s Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Capabilities: a net assessment (2011); Iran’s Ballistic Missile Capabilities: a net assessment (2010); and Nuclear Programmes in the Middle East: In the shadow of Iran (May 2008).
Mr. Fitzpatrick joined IISS in October 2005 after a 26-year career in the US Department of State, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Non-Proliferation (acting). His overseas postings included Vienna, in charge of liaison with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Seoul, Tokyo (twice) and Wellington. At the State Department in Washington, his positions included director of the regional affairs office of the Non-Proliferation Bureau, director of the regional affairs office of the South Asia bureau and North Korea desk officer.
A native of St. Paul and a liberal arts graduate of the University of Minnesota, Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a frequent media commentator on security issues and lectures throughout the world, including on cruise ships.