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Coercive diplomacy is a useful tool employed by powerful states against the weaker actors for ensuring the latter's compliance in matters related to maintaining the status-quo in International system. The US has increasingly used this instrument, particularly with regards to curtailing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). However, North Korea has turned out to be an anomaly in this regard, where US efforts to coerce the DPRK into a nuclear rollback have not only backfired so far, but have also weakened the probability of compliance on the US-preferred terms. North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes have expanded ever since they were first developed, viewed today as an ever-larger threat for US homeland security and American allies. These dynamics are suggestive of the fact that US approach towards North Korea needs some modification. It is imperative for the US to diversify the tools employed within this coercive diplomacy framework such that the element of 'coerciveness' gets contained while that of 'diplomacy' gets reinforced. It is high time that US learns from earlier policy failures regarding the Korean peninsula and brings flexibility in its response if ensuring regional and global peace is the ultimate end being sought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan-Russia relations have remained over-shadowed by Pakistan- United States union for most part of the history. Pak-Russia relations had some positives and much trumpeted negatives. Many opportunities to thaw the strained relations were missed either due to Pakistan's pro-western stance or suspicions on Russian-Indian alliance. However, in the post 9/11 period, Pakistan as a frontline state in war against terror and Russian regional resurgence offers opportunity for revitalization of relations. There are strategic as well as economic opportunities available to both the countries in this era of economic and regional blocs. Both countries decision makers have avenues for cooperation especially in the post US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pakistan is anxious to maintain its importance as a key player in Afghanistan whereas Russia wants to represent its interests in the region by claiming a stake in the post-2014 Afghanistan scenario. New beginnings in Pak-Russia relations would primarily depend on the priorities of their decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact on regional security of the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Mentioned are the responses in terms of alignments towards status quo or change of the regional and global powers which include Israel, the U.S., the resistance forces, Russia, China, the European Union and Saudi Arabia. Emerging developments include the "Arab Spring" of democracy, the Palestinian Unity Accord and security threats to Israel.