As 2019 draws to a close, the rapprochement between the U.S. and North Korea which has lasted nearly two years appears to be stalling. North Korea conducted a test of two missiles on November 28 which was labeled a “Thanksgiving present” to the U.S., suspended nuclear negotiations show no signs of resumption, and President Trump and Kim Jong Un are back to trading insults.

North Korea’s year-end ultimatum to the U.S., threatening a “new path” if sufficient progress in diplomacy is not made, portends further negative developments. Observers have speculated that more frequent North Korean