Source: Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2016

Abstract: The 2010 Arab Spring not only reshaped the power structure of the Middle East, but also greatly affected the diplomatic strategies of outside players in the region. For interested countries such as North Korea, a realignment of Middle East strategy becomes a priority for the preservation of national interests. Despite its relatively small size and distant location in Northeast Asia, North Korea has substantial interests in the Middle East and Africa. These two regions include many pan-Socialist and war-torn countries; accordingly, North Korea’s economic interest is based on the export of both weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and conventional weapons. For this reason, the Arab Spring has had a significant impact on the domestic and foreign affairs of North Korea.