NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Lawmaker Sees Fresh Push Toward Nuclear-Weapon Spending Cuts
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire — November 13, 2013
Representative Mike Quigley (D-III.) is optimistic about the prospect of budget cuts to the controversial B-61 life extension program. The B-61 is an aging tactical nuclear weapon that the Obama administration is planning to modernize to the cost of $551 million.
Air Force to ‘add more rigor’ to screening of candidates for nuclear commander jobs
Associated Press — November 13, 2013
The Air Force will make the screening process of candidates for senior nuclear command positions more vigorous. Candidates must expect closer inspections into their health records and personal backgrounds. The announcement comes after the the head of the Air Force’s nuclear missiles division was fired for behavior linked to alcohol abuse.
IRAN
Russian FM: Iran Backed US Nuclear Proposal
Associated Press — November 14, 2013
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that Iran accepted a US-draft proposal on a nuclear deal during the P5+1 talks held over the weekend. In the end, the draft was not accepted due to 11th hour amendments that Iran could not accept.
U.S. Rejects Israeli Assessment on Iran
Jay Solomon, The Wall Street Journal — November 13, 2013
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz has claimed that US sanctions relief plans for Iran would ease the impact of the current sanctions regime by 40%. The State department sharply criticized this assessment yesterday and denied that their plan would have this impact.
U.S. lawmakers question Obama’s plea for Iran sanctions pause
Patricia Zengerle and Timothy Gardner, Reuters — November 13, 2013
Members of Congress have expressed their frustration with the Obama administration’s call to delay a new round of sanctions against Iran. Senior administration officials made a lobbying round in the Senate on Wednesday in an attempt to convince key senators to stave off passing new legislation that would strengthen the existing array of Iranian sanctions.
RUSSIA
U.S. Official: ‘Not Making Much Progress’ with Russia on Missiles, Arms
Rachel Oswald, Global Security Newswire — November 13, 2013
Assistant secretary of Defense for global strategic affairs Madelyn Creedon has said that Russia has is “not making much progress” in both arms control- and missile defense talks. She stated that “it’s important to have Russia’s support on both topics” and that the US will continue its efforts to engage Moscow in both areas.
NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION
How to Sell Arms and Influence People
Rose Gottemoeller and James N. Miller, Bloomberg — November 13, 2013
In 2009, President Obama announced the ‘Export Control Reform Initiative’. This initiative aims to advance US national security by reforming and updating the US’s cold war export-control system. When the reforms are complete, the system will better fulfill its role within a modern, globalized supply chain.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Czech Republic to sponsor disposal of Syrian chemical weapons
Prague Daily Monitor — November 14, 2013
The Czech Republic will help finance the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. The money, some $130,000, will be sent directly to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has been tasked by the UN to carry out the destruction of the Syrian stockpile.
