SWOT Analysis: North Korea The Intelligence Community had made significant strides against North Korea when it comes to that country's nuclear weapons program. However, that does not mean that everything has been figured out or that there are no other issues that have to be considered. With that in mind, a SWOT analysis can provide more insight into whether the Intelligence Community is doing the right thing, and whether it has enough knowledge to adequately plan for what North Korea might do in the future. Understanding the nuclear weapons program that North Korea currently has, and what kind of program it may still be developing in the future, is vital to making sure that the Intelligence Community is prepared for changes that the country might be making to the power it has in the world (North, 2005). The danger that North Korea presents is real, and should not be underestimated just because the country is relatively quiet about what it is doing with its nuclear program.

Strengths

There are a number of strengths that the Intelligence Community has when it comes to knowledge of North Korea's nuclear program. These include:

Knowledge that the country actually does have a nuclear power program.

An understanding that the nuclear power program is not just about powering the country, but also about weapons.

Insider information based on inspections that have been done of the nuclear power program in that country (Busch, 2004).

The ability to have a dialogue with the leaders of the country in an effort to discuss the nuclear program.

Sanctions and other options that can be used if North Korea does not comply with inspections and information (Myers & Sang-Hun, 2012).

A number of allied countries that will work together to ensure that North Korea is transparent about the information it provides in its nuclear program.

Agreements with a number of countries that have dealings with North Korea, so that many countries will work together to keep all of those countries honest -- and that includes North Korea.

The power of international dealings that can be used in order...

These include:
A lack of transparency when it comes to what North Korea offers in the way of information on its nuclear program.

The fact that the country keeps to itself for the most part, and is not very open to working with the rest of the world (North, 2005).

A recent change of leadership that has stopped any dealings that could have been created with the past leader (Myers & Sang-Hun, 2012).

An inability to get close to those who work in the nuclear program.

The potential for misleading or deliberately incorrect information to be provided by the country.

A lack of inspectors who have the power to simply force North Korea to provide the requested information.

The understanding that North Korea does not fear sanctions or other directives placed against the country.

An inability to come to an agreement with the country regarding what is actually being done there as it relates to nuclear power (Busch, 2004).

The realization that the leader of the country does not fear or respect other countries and their opinions on nuclear weapons.

The knowledge that North Korea realizes it could get the upper hand relatively quickly with a large nuclear program.

Opportunities

In order for the Intelligence Community to continue to be successful when it comes to knowledge of North Korea's nuclear program, there are opportunities that have to be carefully considered. These opportunities can often change from one time to the next, because North Korea can be very fickle about what it allows or agrees to. Because of that, these opportunities may not always be available. They include:

The ability to potentially provide North Korea with something it wants, that can be traded for the right to examine its nuclear program (Busch, 2004).

Agreements that can be reached between a number of countries, whereby…