IRAN
UN experts, Iran open talks on nuclear probe
Ali Akbar Dareini, Huffington Post – Jan 16, 2013
Senior U.N. investigators opened a new round of talks Wednesday with Iranian officials in Tehran in the hopes of restarting a probe into allegations that the Islamic Republic carried out atomic bomb trigger tests and other suspected weapons-related studies.
A Letter to Our Leaders on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Dr. Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, Huffington Post – Jan 15, 2013
A letter to the leaders of Iran, the United States, and the EU High Representative for Foregin Affairs and Security Policy advising on Iranian nuclear negotiations.
KOREAN PENINSULA
Park calls for upgrading S. Korea’s alliance with U.S.
Yonhap News – Jan 16, 2013
South Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye said Wednesday she will work closely with the United States to further upgrade the traditional alliance with Washington and to smoothly resolve pending issues based on mutual trust.
U.S. pushing for North Korean sanctions at U.N.
Ju-min Park, Reuters – Jan 15, 2013
The United States is pushing hard for tough sanctions against North Korea, one of its top envoys for Asia said on Wednesday, although diplomats at the United Nations said it appeared unlikely that the North’s ally, China, would support them. Washington, along with South Korea, Japan and European Union states, want to punish North Korea for its December rocket launch with a United Nations Security Council resolution and tougher sanctions against Pyongyang.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Russia Conducts Simulated Missile Launch
Rianovosti – Jan 16, 2013
The Central Command Post of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) conducted a simulated missile launch on Wednesday in the presence of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Defense Ministry said.
Cabinet OKs Y13.1 tril extra budget
Mari Yamaguchi, Japan Today – Jan 16, 2013
Japan’s cabinet on Tuesday approved a 13.1 trillion yen supplementary budget plan through March that includes military spending for border defense. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the plan, endorsed as part of the government’s economic stimulus package, includes 210 billion yen for a military equipment upgrade to strengthen border defense.
U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin Deliver Nation’s Next Infrared Surveillance Satellite
PR Newswire – Jan 15, 2013
The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] have delivered the second Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO-2) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be prepared for a March liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Featuring a mix of satellites in geosynchronous orbit, hosted payloads in highly elliptical earth (HEO) orbit, and ground hardware and software, the SBIRS program delivers resilient and improved missile warning capabilities for the nation while also providing significant contributions to the military’s missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness mission areas.
NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION
U.S., Myanmar Hold Non-Proliferation Talks
Naharnet – Jan 16, 2013
U.S. nuclear officials have held talks with their counterparts in Myanmar, weeks after the former pariah nation agreed new safeguards allowing inspections of suspected atomic sites, the U.S. Embassy said Wednesday. Myanmar, also known as Burma, was suspected of pursuing military and nuclear cooperation with Pyongyang during long years of junta rule that ended last year, prompting an easing of many international sanctions including by the U.S.
Deafness at Doomsday
Lawrence M. Krauss, The New York Times – Jan 15, 2013
Lawrence Krauss discusses the need for increased discussion with the scientific community regarding nuclear weapons.
