IRAN
Medvedev calld for Iranian cooperation in nuclear dispute
Global Security Newswire- June 16, 2011
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday called on his Iranian opposite to offer better cooperation in the years-old dispute over the Middle Eastern state’s contested nuclear program.
Iran launches second satellite into orbit, claims state TV
Julian Borger, Guardian- June 16, 2011
Western officials say Rasad-1 could be used to high-resolution maps, but the move prompts concern over Iranian nuclear ambitions.
NORTH KOREA
Is it time to give up on the Six-Party Talks?
Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal- June 14, 2011
There’s been a fascinating discussion happening in Seoul this week over the future of nuclear energy, weapons and technology on the Korean Peninsula. The three-day Asan Plenum on the nuclear future turned especially provocative Tuesday morning when some prominent American participants said it’s time to give up on the diplomatic process called the six-party talks.
PAKISTAN
Pentagon says US must salvage relations with Pakistan to protect nukes, regional security
Associated Press- June 16, 2011
The U.S. must keep working to salvage its relationship with Pakistan in order to preserve security in the region and protect against potential proliferation of that country’s nuclear weapons, top Pentagon leaders said Thursday.
DEFENSE SPENDING
Gates concerned by House cuts in nuclear funds
Xavier Briand, Reuters- June 15, 2011
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Wednesday he was very concerned about plans in the House of Representatives to cut $1 billion from funding to upgrade nuclear weapons infrastructure.
Lockheed’s anti-missile system targeted for cits in U.S. Senate
Roxana Tiron, Bloomberg- June 15, 2011
U.S. senators are aiming to eliminate funding for a missile defense program being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) in collaboration with Italy and Germnay.
NATO
Europe is urged to upgrade weapons
Ciaran Giles, Boston Globe- June 17, 2011
NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said yesterday that he was worried about the low level of defense spending among European allies and called on members to work together to reduce the reliance on the United States for high-tech weapons.
GLOBAL ZERO
The growing appeal of zero
Economist- June 16, 2011
Ridding the world of nuclear weapons has long been a cause of the pacifist left. But in the past few years mainstream politicians, retired military leaders and academic strategists have begun to share the same goal, albeit with a very different idea of how to get there.
