IRAN
House bill would bash Iran deal
Molly K. Hooper, The Hill — December 4, 2013
A group of Republican congressmen that disapproves of the recent deal reached between the P5+1 and Iran are considering various legislative options that would essentially nullify the terms of the agreement. One member of this group, Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) said, “The overwhelming sentiment [among House Republicans is] this was an agreement that was foolish, dangerous, and that we need to do something and push forward.”
Iran’s Nuclear Deal Faces Big Test
Tom Gjelten, NPR — December 4, 2013
This weekend, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors will visit Iran to inspect the country’s heavy water reactor near Arak. The inspection has been long overdue and will provide a first test of Iran’s promises to allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities as outlined in the recent deal reached between the P5+1 and Iran a few weeks ago.
Kerry lobbies Netanyahu to give interim nuclear deal with Iran some breathing room
Anne Gearan and William Booth, The Washington Post — December 5, 2013
Secretary of State John F. Kerry has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to lobby Tel Aviv to support the recent P5+1 deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly criticized the deal since it was struck last month in Geneva.
Rep. Hunter: US Should Use Tactical Nukes on Iran if Strikes Become Necessary
John T. Bennett, DefenseNews — December 4, 2013
House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif) remarked during a C-SPAN interview that the US should consider launching a tactical nuclear weapon against Iran if a war with the country appeared likely. The launch would be designed to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities. Arms control experts have expressed their deep concerns with such a proposal.
RADIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
Truck With Radioactive Load Is Recovered in Mexico
Randal C. Archibold and Rick Gladstone, The New York Times — December 4, 2013
Three days ago, a truck carrying a radioactive material known as “Cobalt 60“ was stolen near Tijuana, Mexico. The material is used for medical purposes, but can also be used as the radiological source of a ‘dirty bomb.‘ The theft set off a two day manhunt, which ended yesterday when the truck and its contents were found near a small town on the outskirts of Mexico City.
SYRIA
U.N. Official Details Plans for Removing Syria’s Chemical Arms
Rick Gladstone, The New York Times — December 4, 2013
Sigrid Kaag, the United Nations official in charge of coordinating the disposal of Syria’s chemical weapon stockpile, stated yesterday that the most dangerous materials would be sealed by Syrian nationals before being sent to the Syrian port of Latakia. This transportation must be complete before the December 31st deadline set by the U.N. security council almost three months ago.
How the U.S. Will Dispose of Syria’s Chemical Weapons
Sara Sorcher, National Journal — December 3, 2013
The U.S. is planning on destroying Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile itself after Albania and Norway turned down offers from Washington to destroy the stockpile. The process will be dangerous and expensive. The arsenal will have to be transported to a Mediterranean port through contested areas of Syria before being loaded on a U.S. ship for neutralization.
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
Benin and Burkina Faso holding two workshops on the Biological and Toxin Weapons Prohibition with funding from the European Union.
Mareeg.com — December 1, 2013
National workshops on biological and toxin weapons will be taking place in the African nations of Burkina Faso and Benin over the next week. Funded by the European Union, the workshops will attempt to educate and assist officials within these countries on the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin weapons (BTWC).
