Why the Iran deal is good for U.S.
Laicie Heeley, Global Public Square (CNN) – December 12, 2013
The recent first-step agreement reached between the P5+1 (Russia, China, France, the UK, the US + Germany) and Iran curbing the latter’s nuclear program is a “big step forward.” The deal is “freezing the most proliferation-sensitive aspects of Iran’s nuclear program, beginning a modest rollback of its capability, and establishing the outlines of a long-term deal that will permanently eliminate the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.”
Steny Hoyer withdraws support from Iran resolution
Anna Palmer and John Brenahan, Politico – December 12, 2013
According to congressional sources, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) withdrew his support for a bipartisan resolution calling for further economic sanctions on Iran at the last minute. The resolution had been put together by Rep. Hoyer, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Elliot Engel (D-N.Y.).
Iran angry over U.S. sanctions, nuclear talks interrupted
Fredrik Dahl and Adrian Croft, Reuters – December 13, 2013
Speaking to the semi-official Fars news agency in Iran on Friday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reacted angrily to a White House announcement, made only hours beforehand, that the US had imposed sanctions on 19 Iranian companies and individuals. Mr. Araqchi said that Iran was “evaluating the situation” that he claimed was “against the spirit of the Geneva deal.”
MISSILE DEFENSE
Time to rethink America’s growing missile threats
Lt. Gen. Edward G. Anderson III (Ret.), The Hill – December 12, 2013
The threat posed by ballistic missiles capable of reaching American soil is increasing over time as technological innovation and proliferation allow more countries, groups and individual to build and deploy advanced types of ballistic missiles. The ability of the US military to detect and intercept modern types of ballistic missiles is falling behind and both Congress and the Pentagon “need to work together to reverse this alarming trend.”
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Proposed defense act calls for $360M for MOX facility
Derrek Asberry, Aiken Standard – December 13, 2013
$360 million has been included in the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was hammered out this week in Congress. The figure is $40 million more than the $320 million that was included in the Obama administration’s original FY 2014 NDAA request.
Defense bill making rounds includes specifics on ICBMs
Jenn Rowell, Great Falls Tribune – December 12, 2013
The New START treaty signed by the US and Russia in 2010 requires both countries to reduce their respective number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons. The Air Force has since said that an environmental impact assessment is required before any nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) can be retired. In a draft compromise version of the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress has withheld 50 percent of the funds required for the environmental study.
Compromise Bill Limits Restrictions on Nuclear Arms Control Efforts
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – December 12, 2013
A compromise version of the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would, if passed, require the administration to give Congress advanced notice of any planned changes in the US and/or NATO nuclear force structures. While the provision limits the authority of the President in determining nuclear force structure, it is far less restrictive than provisions included in an earlierHouse version of the FY 2014 NDAA.
NUCLEAR TRADE
Lawmakers’ Retort to Obama’s ‘Flexible’ Nuclear Trade Policy: Potential New Limits
Elaine M. Grossman, Global Security Newswire – December 12, 2013
A number of leading House and Senate lawmakers are planning to hammer out new legislation that would tighten congressional review of US nuclear trade pacts. The bipartisan group contends that the current state of affairs does not adequately protect global security.
