The Biden administration is increasingly alarmed by the deepening military cooperation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, fearing it could significantly bolster Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities and escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
The timing, could be orchestrated to sow instability in another global region as Americans weigh whether to re-elect President Joe Biden or bring former President Donald Trump back to power.
“We anticipate North Korea’s actions to be provocative this year. The extent of their escalation remains uncertain,” remarked a U.S. intelligence official. U.S. intelligence has previously accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 election to aid Trump’s candidacy. Tensions between the Biden administration and Russia have remained strained, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As Putin prepares for an upcoming visit to North Korea to meet with Kim, U.S. officials anticipate the two leaders will solidify a fresh agreement to expand the transfer of military technology to Pyongyang.