Beijing has supported Pyongyang in its quarrels with the US but the relationship looks set to come under renewed pressure.

Any end-of-year deal between Washington and Pyongyang is unlikely to be substantial. And if there isn’t one? Expect more of the same.

Edward Howell writes that if Pyongyang and Washington want to get past their failure in Hanoi and make this month’s negotiations a success, they must realise the winner does not have to take all.

With Beijing’s influence over its ‘little brother’ waning it will want to keep its own interests in mind, writes Edward Howell

Chinese president makes a big play of his close friendship with Kim Jong-un during two-day state visit to Pyongyang, writes Edward Howell.

A year after the Singapore summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, talks remain stalled. Will Washington lower expectations and make the next move?

Edward Howell writes that North Korean diplomacy with Russia not only pits that country against the US, but puts China in the mix, too.

Edward Howell writes that a three-way dialogue between the two Koreas and the US may prove effective since Washington and Pyongyang both seem willing to walk away from a bad deal.

Edward Howell says that at the next summit, at the end of February, the most crucial issue remains agreeing on what ‘denuclearisation’ would encompass.

Edward Howell writes that Kim has expressed his readiness to meet with the US president again, but has also issued a warning about continuing sanctions.

Edward Howell writes that Pyongyang’s weapons are not going anywhere for now, so long as the gap remains in how the North and Washington define denuclearisation.

Edward Howell writes that diplomacy may not be sufficient to advance the effort to compel North Korea to rein in its nuclear ambition.