The Impossible State Podcast
Podcast

The Impossible State

North Korea is the Impossible State. Each episode, join the people who know the most about North Korea for an insiders’ discussion with host Victor Cha about one of the United States’ top national security priorities. 

 

The Impossible State is produced by David Lotfi

Podcast Series by Victor Cha and Sydney Seiler

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All The Impossible State Podcast Episodes

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The Impossible State

Recalibrating U.S.-ROK Alliance: Strategic Priorities for 2026

In this episode, Mr. Sydney Seiler moderated a discussion with Dr. Chansong Lee and Dr. Bee Yun Jo of the Sejong Institute on the overall outlook of the U.S.–South Korea alliance leading up to 2026, including extended deterrence, the Nuclear Consultative Group, the OPCON transfer, shipbuilding, and other strategic issues.

Podcast Episode by Sydney Seiler, Chansong Lee, and Bee Yun Jo — January 16, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Is North Korean Denuclearization Dead?

On this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderates a discussion with Amb. Cho Byung Jae and Dr. Jun Bong-geun on North Korea’s nuclear program and the future of diplomacy. The episode explores Pyongyang’s constitutional embrace of nuclear weapons, Seoul’s E.N.D. initiative to revive dialogue, and President Trump’s push for summitry.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — December 9, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

What Does China Want?

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Zenobia Chan, and Ms. Henrietta Levin discussed whether China is a status quo power with limited global aims, or a revisionist state with goals of expanding power and reshaping the global international order, and more.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Henrietta Levin — November 24, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Deal: What’s Next?

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Kang Choi, and Dr. Beomchul Shin discussed the outcomes of the APEC meetings, South Korea’s nuclear submarine deal with the United States, and potential next steps. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — November 14, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Upcoming U.S.-ROK Summit and the Future of Inter-Korean Engagement

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Andrew Yeo, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed the future of inter-Korean engagement, the upcoming APEC meetings, and the upcoming summit meeting between Presidents Trump and Lee. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Sydney Seiler — October 22, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

What to Expect? New Leadership in Japan

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. James Brady, and Mr. Tobias Harris explore Sanae Takaichi’s rise in Japan’s LDP, her potential as prime minister, and the future of U.S.–Japan–Korea relations.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — October 15, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

President Lee's First 100 Days

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Jeonghun Min, and Dr. Hanbeom Jeong discussed President Lee’s first 100 days in office, the implications of his foreign policies for extended deterrence, U.S.–ROK and U.S.–North Korea engagement, and more.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — October 6, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Trump and the Autocratic Axis

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Patricia Kim, and Dr. Thomas Wright discussed the growing cooperation among the autocratic countries of China, Russia, and North Korea as they push back against U.S. influence and the U.S.-led international order; the strategies the United States might leverage to counter this bloc; the implications for U.S. policy and its allies; and more.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — September 29, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Is China Eating Our Lunch?

Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Ely Ratner, and Mr. Scott Snyder discuss China’s recent diplomatic events, the Xi-Putin-Kim meeting, Kim Ju Ae’s debut, and their implications for the Korean Peninsula and U.S. allies.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha — September 15, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast
The Impossible State

Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better?

After a busy month of U.S. diplomacy, Victor Cha and Max Bergmann join Will to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning about summits with President Trump and what patterns are emerging about how President Trump engages with autocrats.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Victor Cha, and Max Bergmann — August 29, 2025

The Impossible State Podcast