IRAN
Iran presents nuclear proposals at talks
Al Jazeera – October 16, 2013
The P5+1 talks on Iran’s disputed enrichment program have entered their second day in Geneva. Many experts expect the P5+1 countries (the US, China, Russia, France, the UK and Germany) to press Iran for further details regarding its vague PowerPoint proposal outlined yesterday.
We cannot verify and must not trust Iran’s promises on nuclear weapons
John Bolton, The Guardian – October 15 2013
The US and its allies can neither trust nor verify Iranian promises not to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran has broken previous promises regarding its enrichment program and the prospects of implementing a successful verification mechanism are slim. Only a military strike against Iran’s enrichment complex can successfully thwart its development of a nuclear weapon.
The Talks with Iran: 3 Voices Whose Advice We Should Ignore
Stephen M. Walt, Foreign Policy – October 15, 2013
If the Obama administration wants a successful outcome at the P5+1 talks this week, it should ignore three key voices that are currently recommending unrealistic demands or ill-advised negotiating strategies. These voices include the government of Israel, a group of bipartisan senators and a number of lobbying groups advocating coercive measures against Iran.
Sherman’s March
Yochi Dreazen, Foreign Policy – October 14, 2013
Wendy Sherman, the US’s relatively unknown chief nuclear negotiator, is leading the American delegation at the P5+1 talks this week. She faces the difficult task of bringing Iran to a deal to limit its enrichment program and agree to a concrete verification mechanism. Her path to this position has been an interesting and unique one when compared to many of her peers.
NUCLEAR POWER
Uneven Enforcement Suspected at Nuclear Plants
Jeff Donn, Associated Press – October 15, 2013
A yet to be released report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) details a number of safety violations at US nuclear power plants over the last ten years. These safety violations varied dramatically across different regions, which, according to the GAO, suggests that some nuclear regulators are enforcing rules and guidelines more aggressively than others.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
A real nuclear deterrent: US, Russia may team up to use weapons against asteroids
Douglas Birch, The Center for Public Integrity – October 16, 2013
The US and Russia agreed last month to collaborate on issues related to the deployment of nuclear weapons against large asteroids threatening the Earth. Some experts are concerned with this development and cite the dangers of using high yield nuclear weapons to divert or destroy such asteroids.
ASIA
China defends its plans to build nuclear reactors in Pakistan
PTI, The Economic Times – October 16, 2013
China recently agreed to build two 1000 MW nuclear reactors in Karachi, Pakistan. Both the US and India have raised their opposition to the agreement on the grounds that it violates norms set by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). China denies this and has said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will supervise both nuclear reactors.
SYRIA
Syrian Rebels Urged to Let Inspectors See Arms Sites
Alan Cowell and Anne Barnard, The New York Times – October 14, 2013
The international community intensified pressure on Syrian rebels to allow UN weapons inspectors to access chemical weapons sites inside rebel controlled territories. A number of areas previously controlled by the government have fallen into rebel hands, which has made the process of dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile more challenging.
