IRAN
How Congress Could Steamroll Iran Sanctions Past Obama
John Hudson, Foreign Policy – December 2, 2013
Senate Democrats and Republicans are ignoring warnings from the White House and are proceeding with a bill that will hit Iran with additional sanctions. The new round of sanctions would go into effect after a six month period if no promising final deal is made with Iran. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) said that the sanctions serve as a message to Iran that there are consequences for not striking a deal.
Limitations of nuclear deal temper Iranian’s enthusiasm
Stephen Kalin and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters – December 3, 2013
Some of the initial enthusiasm felt in Iran has dissipated as the population learns of the complexity and gradual implementation of any sanctions relief. Many Iranians were hoping that a deal would bring relief from restrictions on banking, trade, and international travel. Shipping and energy sanctions have also forced many factories to close, and the owners of these factories who were looking forward to getting back to work doubt whether relief will ever come.
Pollster finds support for Iran deal
Alexander Burns, Politico – December 3, 2013
A recent survey suggests that Americans are generally supportive of the U.S.-Iran deal when they were given a clinically worded description of the deal by the Hart Research firm. Of those who knew little about the deal, 34% supported it, 22% opposed it, and 41% had no opinion. After they were given a description of the deal, the number in support rose to 63% of the 800 voters surveyed.
Bipartisan blowback to Iran deal
Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post – December 2, 2013
The Obama administration is facing harsh criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the interim deal signed with Iran. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), in his appearance on Face the Nation, questioned why the deal does not result in a single enrichment centrifuge being dismantled. Others are questioning why the objective for negotiations began as ending Iranian enrichment but resulted in recognizing Iran’s right to enrich.
SYRIA
U.S. Delivers Gear to Destroy Syrian Chemical Arms at Sea
Global Security Newswire – December 2, 2013
The U.S. has proposed a direct role in the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. Systems used to destroy chemical weapons are being installed on board the Ready Reserve Force ship MV Cape Ray in preparation for this direct role. The destruction effort would focus on neutralizing 500 tons of nerve agents that are too dangerous to be eliminated by other nations. The cost would range from $47 million to $61 million.
RUSSIA
Putin Eyes ‘High-Precision’ Arms as Partial Nuclear-Weapons Alternative
Diane Barnes, Global Security Newswire – December 3, 2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that advanced conventional weapons systems may “equal” nuclear weapons in their ability to serve as a deterrent. Putin said that long range, high precision hypersonic weapon systems provide a viable alternative to nuclear weapons. These weapon systems have also been considered by the United States because they offer an alternative to hitting key, time sensitive targets that do not warrant the use of nuclear weapons.
NORTH KOREA
Japan-South Korea Discord Seen Harming Efforts to Defend Against N. Korea
Rachel Oswald, Global Security Newswire – December 2, 2013
The U.S. is trying to increase cooperation between Japan and South Korea amid growing tensions between the two East Asian countries. The U.S. wants Japan and South Korea to focus on their common threat in the region, North Korea. Much of the tension in the relationship stems from growing mistrust of Japan’s military ambitions.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
For 15 Years, All That Stood Between U.S. and Nuclear War Were Eight Zeros
Global Security Newswire – December 2, 2013
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the launch code capable of starting nuclear war was 00000000. This mechanism was supposedly used to ensure that missiles could be launched as quickly as possible and to ensure that missiles could still be launched in the event of communications outages. Bruce Blair, co-founder of the Global Zero initiative argued in 1977 that as few as four terrorists could take control of nuclear missile bunkers – the launch codes were changed immediately afterward.
