China and South Korea agreed to normalize bilateral relations at the end of last month, officially ending the THAAD dispute. While Beijing’s economic coercion based on nationalism in the THAAD standoff seems worrying from the standpoint of a foreign observer, this is an isolated event and is unlikely to be repeated often.

Beijing and Washington do not want Iran or North Korea to possess nuclear weapons, test ballistic missiles, or engage in WMD proliferation. Despite their overlapping positions, the differences between the Trump and Xi administrations regarding these issues have been growing. Confidence-building and stability-enhancing measures could narrow these differences.

Rather than serving as a pretext for engagement, Warmbier’s return to the U.S. and subsequent death is yet another nail in the coffin for already imperiled U.S.-North Korea relations. Warmbier’s passing merits a strong response from the U.S. government, but will also likely require a coordinated response from other regional actors, including China and South Korea. Two significant events, the Diplomatic and Security Dialogue (D&SD) between the U.S. and China, and the upcoming summit between President Trump and newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in may be defining moments for developing a more coordinated regional strategy to address North Korea.

Moon needs practical and operational measurements and outcomes, as well as ambition and determination to tackle the challenges of inter-Korean relations. And yes, there surely are opportunities and advantages for the South Korea to take. But the government has to be very careful to turn them into positive forces, so that a revival of “Sunshine” isn’t weakened to mere “Moonlight” as the pessimists have predicted.

Those who predict that a Moon presidency will disrupt South Korean relations with the U.S. and Japan are surely mistaken.

The impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye has plunged South Korea into election season. In less than two months, the world’s 11th-largest economy will have a new chief executive. Regardless of who wins the election, addressing the challenges facing the South Korean economy should be a high priority.

Enter the Rooster, exit the Monkey. As 2017 begins, Curtis S. Chin and Jose B. Collazo take look at who’s in, and who’s out in Asia—from an outgoing U.S. president and a pivot and partnership that were not to be to a tough-talking leader.

In light of recent tension in the Asia Pacific, Colin Moreshead argues that the United States should bring Japan, South Korea and China all to the table for common-ground initiatives, like fighting climate change or promoting education.

Both sides on the Korean Peninsula should realize that neither could destroy the other, and that it is necessary to continue this confrontational peace based on reciprocity and balance, write Shuang Shi and Xiong Lei.

As long as there is sufficient political will and wisdom in Northeast Asia, the prospects for regional cooperation is encouraging, writes Chen Jimin.