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The Impossible State

The Impossible State

CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies 160 Episodes Aug 3, 2026

The Impossible State is a podcast from CSIS that examines North Korea, a country often referred to as the Impossible State. Host Victor Cha, a leading expert, leads insider discussions with those who know North Korea best. Each episode explores the country's politics and its significance as a major US national security concern. The show offers deep analysis of one of America's most pressing foreign policy issues.

Episodes

Poisoning the Well: U.S.-Korea Trade Tension
Poisoning the Well: U.S.-Korea Trade Tension Aug 3, 2026 2833 Dr. Victor Cha, Adam Farrar, Eunjoong Kim, and Wonchul Kim discussed the recent U.S. House Judiciary Committee report on discriminatory practices, expiration of Section 122 tariffs, and the Korean investment deals. 
What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine?
What is North Korea learning from Russia's war in Ukraine? Jul 1, 2026 3009 Dr. Victor Cha, Ms. Kate Bondar, and Mr. Bruce Klingner discussed how the Ukraine war is reshaping warfare, what North Korea may learn from Russia, and the implications for Korean Peninsula security. 
How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis?
How Should the United States Counter the CRINK Axis? Jun 12, 2026 2810 Dr. Victor Cha, Igor Khrestin, Joseph Kim, and Dr. Maria Snegovaya joined host Will Todman to discuss CRINK’s key vulnerabilities and examine U.S. policy recommendations for addressing the challenges the grouping poses to democracy, human rights, economic security, and national security. The discussion will draw on the GWBI’s recent report on CRINK and explore the implications of growing alignment
The CRINK Challenge: Implications for North Korea and Global Security
The CRINK Challenge: Implications for North Korea and Global Security Jun 10, 2026 2827 In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Edward Howell, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed North Korea's relationships with the CRINK countries and examine Beijing’s priorities heading into an imminent Xi-Kim summit. 
Cold Peace: Engaging DPRK to Reduce Risk and Threat
Cold Peace: Engaging DPRK to Reduce Risk and Threat May 27, 2026 2740 In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Ambassador Joseph Yun and Mr. Adam Farrar to examine the new frameworks proposed in Dr. Victor Cha’s recent Foreign Affairs article, “North Korea as It Is: The Case for a Cold Peace,” and to explore how the international community might engage North Korea, acknowledge the reality of its nuclear status, mitigate and reduce risks, and po
Privileged But Powerless
Privileged But Powerless May 13, 2026 2107 In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha and Dr. Jieun Baek discussed her new book, Privileged but Powerless: How North Korean Elite Grievances Reveal the Regime’s Greatest Weakness, and examined how grievances among North Korea’s elites may shape the regime’s future stability and security, while also exploring new approaches to addressing the North Korean threat.
Korean Messiah
Korean Messiah May 5, 2026 2258 In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Jonathan Cheng on how the surprising ties between the Kim dynasty and American Christianity shaped North Korea’s leadership, and how power, belief, and narrative intersect in the hermit kingdom, influencing dynamics in Northeast Asia and the broader international landscape.
Is the Pivot to Asia Dead?
Is the Pivot to Asia Dead? Apr 23, 2026 2379 In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Zack Cooper and Dr. Kristi Govella on examining Washington’s failed pivot to Asia, expectations for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to Washington, and its potential impact on the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region, and broader regional dynamics.
The BTS Homecoming: Does Korea's Soft Power Work?
The BTS Homecoming: Does Korea's Soft Power Work? Apr 8, 2026 1741 In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Jinaeng Choi and Timothy Martin to discuss the recent BTS comeback concert, how Korean culture around the world can impact Korea's soft power, how it may influence global audiences, and more. 
The Four Talent Giants
The Four Talent Giants Mar 2, 2026 2404 In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Stanford University Professor Gi-Wook Shin on his recent book, The Four Talent Giants, and how these four “talent giants” countries achieved economic power and sustained momentum by responding to risks and challenges such as demographic crises, brain drain, and geopolitical tensions, drawing on his Four Bs theory—brain train, brain gai
Korea Update: NDS, Coupang and Congress
Korea Update: NDS, Coupang and Congress Feb 13, 2026 2435 In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Adam Farrar and Igor Khrestin on the recent Coupang investigation, the key elements of Trump’s National Defense Strategy, what that means for South Korea and for any future response to North Korean threats, and more.
North Korea in 2026: Intentions, Realities, and Response
North Korea in 2026: Intentions, Realities, and Response Feb 2, 2026 2851 Sydney Seiler, Dr. Patrick Cronin, Rachel Minyoung Lee, and Markus Garlauskas discussed North Korea's direction in 2026 and what to expect from Kim Jong Un in terms of the diplomatic front with Moscow, Beijing, the ROK, the U.S., and more.

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