There’s a lesson to take from the speed with which the US–North Korean dialogue has oscillated between thinly veiled threats of nuclear annihilation and the promise of cooperation: that constructive dialogue between nations is never more than a political decision away. Openings can come quickly; when they do, it pays to be prepared.
Unfortunately, there are major technical gaps in the ability of science to verify the eventual nuclear disarmament of North Korea. Closing these gaps will be crucial to moving from the generalities produced for the global stage to specifics on the ground. Given that solutions will take time to develop, scientists and engineers need to focus on these challenges — and soon.
To read more, click here.