IRAN
Iran Seen Able to Process Bomb-Grade Uranium Next Year
Terry Atlas, Bloomberg — July 30, 2013
Iran may achieve the “critical capability” to process low-enriched uranium into material for a nuclear weapon without detection by international inspectors by mid-2014, according to a report by a research group.
House Weighs Iran Measure Amid Doubts on Timing
Rick Gladstone, The New York Times — July 30, 2013
Legislation that would impose the toughest sanctions to date on Iran over its disputed nuclear program has been scheduled for a vote in the House on Wednesday, four days before the inauguration of that country’s newly elected president, a moderate cleric who has made improved relations with the United States an important goal.
Iran seeks key position on U.N. disarmament committee
Michelle Nichols and Mohammad Zargham, Reuters — July 30, 2013
Iran is campaigning for a key position on a U.N. General Assembly committee that deals with disarmament and international security amid strong criticism from Israel and others who accuse Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Ex-envoy sheds light on Iran nuclear claim
Gareth Porter, Asia Times — July 31, 2013
Newly published recollections by the former French ambassador to Iran suggest that Iran was not running a covert nuclear weapons program that it then decided to halt in late 2003, as concluded by US intelligence in 2007.
NORTH KOREA
More N. Korean Long-Range Rocket Launches Expected ‘Soon’
Steve Herman, Voice of America — July 31, 2013
Specialists following North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development concur the reclusive state is nearly certain to continue launching long-range rockets which may be intended to improve its capability to fire weapons of mass destruction…A North Korean official in Pyongyang last week told VOA News that another launch of the Unha series vehicle will occur “soon” as part of the country’s “peaceful use of space.”
China Exports to North Korea Fall
William Ide, Voice of America — July 30, 2013
Newly released Chinese trade data show that during the first six months of the year, exports to North Korea fell for the first time in four years… North Korea’s decision to carry out its third nuclear test earlier this year has seriously strained ties between the two countries.
DEFENSE SPENDING
Senate Panel Approves $594B DoD Spending Bill
John T. Bennett, Defense News — July 30, 2013
A Senate subcommittee on Tuesday approved a spending measure that would give the Pentagon $594 billion in fiscal 2014, slap new spending restrictions on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, and provide more money for two shipbuilding initiatives.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Chambers Split on East Coast Missile Defense Site
Frank Oliveri, Roll Call — July 30, 2013
Democrats and Republicans agree that the nation’s missile defenses…need improvement…But while the House wants to buy a new missile that has failed a recent test and commit to building an East Coast missile defense site, which would use an incomplete upgraded version of the missile, some key Senate leaders are far more skeptical.
NUCLEAR SECURITY
U.S. Budget Constraints Could Limit Efforts to Catch Illicit Nuclear Material
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire — July 30, 2013
A tight budget environment could limit programs aimed at preventing terrorists from shipping nuclear weapon or dirty-bomb material into the United States, Homeland Security Department officials suggested on Tuesday.
