IRAN
Defiant Iran plans to speed up nuclear fuel work
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – Jan 31, 2013
In a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran said it would introduce new centrifuges to its main enrichment plant near the central town of Natanz, according to an IAEA communication to member states seen by Reuters.
Russia asks Iran to freeze enrichment
UPI – Jan 31, 2013
Russia’s Foreign Minister urged Iran to freeze its uranium enrichment program after Tehran announced plans to install new centrifuges at the Natanz plant.
NORTH KOREA
North Korea ‘under martial law’
Julian Ryall, The Telegraph – Jan 31, 2013
North Korea has been placed under martial law and Kim Jong-un has told his front-line troops to “be ready for a war,” according to South Korean media reports.
Seoul warns NK of grave consequences
Kang Hyun-kyung, The Korea Times – Jan 31, 2013
Seoul warned North Korea Thursday that it would face grave consequences if it presses ahead with an envisioned nuclear test. The warning came following an emergency meeting of President Lee Myung-bak and foreign affairs and security-related ministers at Cheong Wa Dae.
OPINION
Atomic Bond
Kingston Reif, Foreign Policy – Jan 30, 2013
An analysis of Chuck Hagel’s policies on nuclear arms reduction, and the implications his nomination hold on the Obama administration’s nuclear weapons policy.
For a Better Nuclear Future, Move Beyond Global Zero
Robert A. Manning, World Politics Review – Jan 31, 2013
The so-called global zero initiative has arguably been overtaken by countervailing nuclear realities. Instead, the Obama administration should focus on other components of its 2010 Nuclear Posture Review as priorities for advancing nonproliferation objectives.
