As we enter the Year of the Dragon, U.S. bilateral relations with key states in Northeast Asia generally appear on track. Ties with America’s two most important security allies, Japan and the Republic of Korea, remain on steady ground, as the Trilateral Cooperation and Oversight Group (TCOG) process has helped to keep all three generally in synch when dealing with their most contentious common concern, North Korea. Meanwhile, Pyongyang appears on a charm offensive of sorts (at least by North Korean standards of behavior). Previously strained ties with China also appear gradually to be mending, witness Lt. Gen. Xiong Guangkai’s generally cordial visit to Washington.