President Barack Obama is in Asia this week, with visits to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines as a variety of issues unfold in the region. A news story from the Nuclear Threat Initiative states that the U.S. reportedly would loosen conditions to restart nuclear talks with North Korea (DPRK) if Pyongyang would enact a temporary freeze on its nuclear weapons program. Meanwhile, North Korea and Japan are scheduled for high level talks. Major topics for these talks include Japanese sanctions on Pyongyang and North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens. And Obama set a precedent when he spoke in Japan’s favor over its long row with China over the Senkaku Islands. Harry J. Kazianis is the managing editor of The National Interest. He’ll join us to talk about possible nuclear talks and other news from Obama’s trip. (Photo: AP/Carolyn Kaster)