China Wants "Drastic" U.S., Russia Nuclear Arms Cuts: What We're Reading Now
May 01, 2012
U.S.
China Wants "Drastic" U.S., Russia Nuclear Arms Cuts
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - April 30, 2012
China called on the United States and Russia on Monday to make further "drastic" cuts in their nuclear arsenals and said all states with atomic arms should undertake not to be the first to use them.
Sorting Through the Defense Distortions
Walter Pincus, Washington Post - April 30, 2012
A Republican conference call on Thursday, titled “President Obama’s Failed Foreign Policy,” got me to thinking: How can voters hear an honest debate on national security and foreign policy issues in the presidential campaign when candidates or their supporters provide false or misleading information?
NATO Confident About Missile Shield
Associated Press - April 30, 2012
NATO's top official on Monday defended the alliance's plan for a shield against ballistic missiles in Europe, insisting the system is on track despite two U.S. reports that describe it as over budget and plagued by technical problems.
What if Realists Were in Charge of U.S. Foreign Policy?
Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy - April 30, 2012
Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. foreign policy has been largely run by a coalition of neoconservatives and liberal internationalists. Both groups favor a highly activist foreign policy intended to spread democracy, defend human rights, prevent proliferation, and maintain American dominance, by force if necessary. Both groups are intensely hostile to so-called "rogue states," comfortable using American power to coerce or overthrow weaker powers, and convinced that America's power and political virtues entitle it to lead the world. The main difference between the two groups is that neoconservatives are hostile to international institutions like the United Nations (which they see as a constraint on America's freedom of action), whereas liberal interventionists believe these institutions can be an important adjunct to American power. Thus, liberal interventionists are just "kinder, gentler neocons," while neocons just "liberal interventionists on steroids."
Senate Follows House with More Questions About Construction of Savannah River Site's MOX Plant
Rob Pavey, Augusta Chronicle - April 30, 2012
U.S. Senate budget writers followed their House counterparts this week with questions about the rising costs of the mixed oxide fuel plant under construction at Savannah River Site.
States See Court Action on Yucca Nuclear-Waste Dump
James Rosen, McClatchy News - April 30, 2012
Federal judges are again being asked to solve a difficult problem that lawmakers can’t fix: the decades-old morass of how to handle tons of nuclear waste lying in temporary storage around the country.
Biden Calls Romney Foreign Policy Backward-Looking: What We're Reading Now
Apr 26, 2012
Biden Calls Romney Foreign Policy Backward-Looking
Anne Gearan, Associated Press - April 26, 2012
Vice President Joe Biden is calling the foreign policy outlined by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney shallow, ill-informed and dangerous and says it would return the United States to "the past we have worked so hard to move beyond."
It's Time for the U.S. to Finally Sign the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Lawrence Krauss, Slate - April 25, 2012
Yesterday, word leaked out that North Korea, the world’s most closed society, is getting ready to perform its third nuclear weapon test, following earlier tests in 2006 and 2009. If true, it would come on the heels of a recent failed rocket test (supposedly a step toward the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States) and saber-rattling threatening to reduce the South Korean government to “ashes.”
Appropriations Committee Fears MOX Delays, Overruns
Rob Pavey, The Augusta Chronicle - April 25, 2012
Rising costs at the mixed oxide fuel plant under construction at Savannah River Site could erode funding reserved for other national defense priorities, according to congressional budget writers.
Marco Rubio's Foreign Policy Speech Stakes Out a Middle Ground in GOP
Karen DeYoung, Washington Post - April 25, 2012
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) took another step onto the national stage Wednesday with a foreign policy speech that positioned him squarely in the middle between a dying breed of GOP moderates and his partisan brethren who have condemned President Obama as an international weakling.
Report: Small Nuclear War Would Inflict Global Woes
Shaun Waterman, Washington Times - April 24, 2012
Even a limited, regional nuclear war, such as one between archrivals India and Pakistan, would cause major changes in the global climate and likely starve a billion people, according to new research.
Best Course for Iranian Nuclear Talks: Take it Slow, Experts Say: What We're Reading Now
Apr 23, 2012
Iran
Best Course for Iranian Nuclear Talks: Take it Slow, Experts Say
Roy Gutman, McClatchy Newspapers - April 22, 2012
After 15 months of rising tensions and fears of military confrontation, the foreign policy chief of the European Union sat down for dinner April 13 with the personal representative of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at the Iranian consulate, not far from Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
Netanyahu Warns of Islamist, Nuclear "Marriage," Welt Reports
Niklas Magnusson, Bloomberg - April 22, 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the greatest threat to world peace is “the marriage of a militant Islamist regime with nuclear weapons,” including Iran developing the bomb or the Taliban seizing power in Pakistan, Welt am Sonntag reported
Military Chief: Israel Increases Covert Options
Associated Press - April 22, 2012
Israel's military chief of staff says he has ordered his forces to step up covert operations in enemy countries.
Ex-National Security Adviser: No Apologies to Israel Over Iran's Nuke Program
Ben Birnbaum, Washington Times - April 20, 2012
President Obama’s former national security adviser says the U.S. has no reason to apologize to Israel for its handling of Iran and notes that the U.S. has been able to “contain” other nations that have acquired nuclear weapons.
Iran's Parchin Complex: Why Are Nuclear Inspectors So Focused on it?
Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor - April 20, 2012
Parchin. In the annals of Iran's controversial nuclear program, the sprawling military base southeast of Tehran may hold clues to past weapons-related work – or it may not.
Negotiations with Iran About Nukes Deemed Constructive: What We're Reading Now
Apr 16, 2012
Iran
Negotiations with Iran About Nukes Deemed Constructive
AP - April 15, 2012
Iranian and European officials expressed confidence in the results of Saturday's negotiations on Tehran's disputed nuclear program as it was announced that the two sides will meet again in Baghdad on May 23.
Iran, Western Powers Hail Latest Nuclear Talks
George Jahn, Associated Press - April 15, 2012
In a rare show of unity, Iran and the world's big powers on Saturday hailed their first nuclear meeting in more than a year as a key step toward further negotiations meant to ease international fears that Tehran may weaponize its nuclear program.
The Shape of a Deal With Iran
Fareed Zakaria, CNN - April 15, 2012
I've been following the tense back and forth with Iran very closely. I continue to believe it is the single most dangerous crisis that we confront today. And I'm struck by the pessimism surrounding it.
Oil Falls Toward $102 After Iran Nuclear Talks
The Associated Press - April 16, 2012
Oil fell to near $102 a barrel Monday after negotiators said meetings over Iran's nuclear program last weekend began on a positive note, easing tensions that had sent crude higher.
Diplomacy Will Dampen Iran War Talk - For Now
Fredrik Dahl and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters - April 15, 2012
Renewed diplomacy on Iran's nuclear program will muffle what Barack Obama last month called the "drums of war", but the beat will soon get louder if warm words do not lead swiftly to action that can defuse the decade-old dispute.
Missile Gaffe Leaves Europe Unfazed: What We're Reading Now
Mar 29, 2012
Missile Defense/Nuclear Cuts
Missile Gaffe Leaves Europe Unfazed
Stephen Fidler and Gordon Fairclough, Wall Street Journal - March 29, 2012
President Barack Obama roiled the U.S. election campaign when he was caught on a live microphone telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would "have more flexibility" after his next election to deal with Moscow's concerns over a planned European missile shield. But so far the comments have caused few ripples in Europe.
The Never-Ending Cold War
The New York Times - March 28, 2012
Two decades after the end of the cold war, Mitt Romney still considers Russia to be America’s “No. 1 geopolitical foe.” His comments display either a shocking lack of knowledge about international affairs or just craven politics. Either way, they are reckless and unworthy of a major presidential contender.
Reducing Nuclear Arms Is Not "Alarming." It's Necessary
Andrew Rosenthal, New York Times - March 28, 2012
A couple of readers have compared President Obama’s live-microphone remark about flexibility after the election to the Etch A Sketch line from Mitt Romney’s political adviser, and wondered why I came down harder on the latter than the former.
Across-the-Board Cuts Disarm Nation's Defense
Sens. Kyl, Rubio, Ayotte, McCain, Graham, and Cornyn, Politico - March 28, 2012
We joined earlier this year to introduce a bill that replaces the across-the-board cuts imposed by the Budget Control Act — cuts to both defense and nondefense programs — with more responsible savings.
White House Corrects Romney, Says al Qaeda Top US Foe, Not Russia
Amie Parnes, The Hill - March 28, 2012
The White House took a swipe at Mitt Romney on Wednesday, two days after the GOP frontrunner took aim at Obama's policies with Russia and called that country the U.S.'s "No. 1 geopolitical foe."
No "Secret Deal" on Missile Defense, Pentagon Tells House
Carlo Munoz, The Hill - March 28, 2012
An Obama administration official on Wednesday said he was not aware of any "secret deal" made by the White House on missile defense as Republicans continued to hammer the president for his remarks to Russia's leader on the issue.
Panetta Says No "Unilateral" US Nuclear Cuts: What We're Reading Now
Mar 28, 2012
U.S.
Panetta Says No 'Unilateral' US Nuclear Cuts
Associated Foreign Press - March 27, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said there would be no "unilateral" reductions in the US nuclear arsenal, after President Barack Obama said his country had more of the weapons than it needed.
Obama's Slip Won't Let Russia Veto Europe Missile Defense
Bloomberg - March 26, 2012
President Barack Obama got caught Monday talking with the microphone left on - again. This time he was telling Russia's outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev that it would be better to leave talks about NATO's contentious missile defense system until after U.S. elections in NOvember, when Obama would have "more flexibility."
Republican Presidents' Efforts to Reduce Nuclear Arms
Nickolas Roth, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation - March 27, 2012
President Obama was recently overheard saying to Russian President Medvedev that, assuming he prevails in the election this November, he would have more flexibility to negotiate on arms control issues. In response, some Congressional Republicans have implied that President Obama may have secret plans to aggressively pursue arms control in his second term.
Nuclear Conference in Korea Collides With U.S. Election: What We're Reading Now
Mar 27, 2012
Korean Peninsula
Nuclear Conference in Korea Collides With U.S. Election
Mark Landler, New York Times - March 27, 2012
Politics, diplomats like to say, stops at the water’s edge. But this week, the politics of the presidential election crashed into a nuclear security summit half a world away.
North Korea: Odd Man Out, Yet Everywhere
Ben Feller, Associated Press - March 26, 2012
The White House called North Korea the odd man out. President Barack Obama counted it back in
Bland Nuclear Summit Communique Seeks "Safer World"
Reuters - March 27, 2012
World leaders gathered in Seoul for a two-day nuclear security summit released a bland statement on Tuesday reaffirming the need to work harder to ensure a "safer world for all".
Israel Ex-Spy Chief Urges Caution on Iran Strike: What We're Reading Now
Mar 09, 2012
Iran
Israel Ex-Spy Chief Urges Caution on Iran Strike
Daniel Estrin, Associated Press - March 9, 2012
The recently retired head of the Mossad intelligence agency has said Israel must consider alternatives to a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but another expert said Friday an Israeli attack could come within months.
Iran Is Pressed on Access for Nuclear Inspectors
Rick Gladstone and William J. Broad
The six world powers that have agreed to resume negotiations with Iran over its disputed nuclear program issued a blunt request on Thursday that the Iranians allow international inspectors unfettered access, most notably to Parchin, a large restricted military complex that the inspectors suspect may house a testing chamber for explosives used in atomic weapons triggers.
Pace of Iran's Nuclear Program Is "Overestimated"
NPR - March 9, 2012
Iranians have agreed to meet with Western officials to discuss their nuclear program, amid increasing Western concern about its purpose. Steve Inskeep talks to Paul Pillar about his article in The Washington Monthly entitled "We Can Live with a Nuclear Iran." Pillar teaches in the security studies program at Georgetown University.
Susan Rice on Iran Talks: "Window is Finite"
Tim Mak, Politico - March 8, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice had some tough words for Iran Thursday, saying regarding negotiations that Iran’s “window is finite.”
Israel Asks U.S. for Arms That Could Aid Iran Strike
Reuters - March 8, 2012
Israel has asked the United States for advanced "bunker-buster" bombs and refuelling planes that could improve its ability to attack Iran's underground nuclear sites, an Israeli official said on Thursday.
World Powers Seek Unity on Iran Nuke Program: What We're Reading Now
Mar 08, 2012
Iran
World Powers Seek Unity on Iran Nuke Program
George Jahn, Associated Press - March 7, 2012
Six world powers struggled Wednesday to find common ground on how harshly to criticize Iran, reflecting the difficulties of presenting a united front at upcoming talks with the Islamic republic meant to coax it into reducing activities that could be used to make a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear Agency Fears Tehran is 'Cleansing' Site
Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal - March 7, 2012
Satellite imagery taken of Iran is raising concerns inside the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that Tehran has been "cleansing" a military site that the agency believes may have been involved in nuclear-weapons development, according to Western officials briefed on the intelligence.
Sen. Levin Sees Israeli Attack to Halt Iranian Nuclear Program as "Very Likely"
Jeremy Herb, The Hill - March 6, 2012
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said Tuesday that he believes an Israeli attack on Iran is “very likely.”
Israelis Criticize PM's Iran-Holocaust Parallels
Daniel Estrin, Associated Press - March 7, 2012
The Israeli prime minister's linking of Iran to Nazi Germany evoked ringing applause this week at a gathering of a pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington. Back home, though, it drew some heavy criticism
'Iran Is Not Telling Us Everything,' U.N. Atomic Agency Chief Says
CNN Wire Staff, CNN - March 8,2012
Iran is not open about its nuclear program, but it should be, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Wednesday.
Romney's Wrong-Headed Assertions About Iran
John Kerry, Washington Post - March 7, 2012
I have little interest in inserting myself, as a former nominee of my party, into this presidential campaign season. But as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has a vital role in issues of national security, I feel compelled to respond to the ways that, in pursuit of the Republican nomination, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has put himself front and center in debates that have serious consequences.
Military at Odds with GOP on Iran Policy: What We're Reading Now
Mar 07, 2012
Iran
Military at Odds with GOP on Iran Policy
Josh Gerstein, Politico - March 6, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta took an aggressive stand Tuesday against Iran, promising a pro-Israel audience that the U.S. will act if diplomacy and sanctions fail to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Diplomacy, Not War: New Iran Nuclear Talks Seen
Anne Gearan, Bradley Klapper, Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press - March 6, 2012
Alarmed by rising talk of war, the United States, Europe and other world powers announced Tuesday that bargaining will begin again with Iran over its fiercely disputed nuclear efforts. Tehran, for its part, invited inspectors to see a site suspected of secret atomic weapons work.
Israel Cautiously Welcomes Big-Power Talks with Iran
Dan Williams, Reuters - March 7, 2012
Israel on Wednesday cautiously welcomed the planned resumption of big-power nuclear talks with Iran, insisting that Tehran be denied the means to turn uranium into bomb fuel.
Weighing a Policy of Containment for Iran
Suzanne Maloney, Matthew Kroenig, NPR - March 6, 2012
President Obama recently said, "Iran's leaders should understand that I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon." Some say containment represents a viable option against Iran, but others argue that Cold War strategies do not apply to Iran.
Iran Diplomacy Needed
Fareed Zakaria, John King, CNN - March 5, 2012
