North Korea
North Korea Said to Stop Construction at Rocket Site
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times – July 23, 2013
Satellite images show that North Korea has halted work at a complex believed to have been intended to allow it to launch bigger and longer-range rockets, a Washington-based research organization reported on Tuesday.
Arirang Festival In North Korea Kicks Off With War Victory Theme
Agence France Presse, Huffington Post – July 23, 2013
North Korea has launched its annual Arirang festival, featuring tens of thousands of performers in a highly-choreographed display of patriotism and support for the ruling Kim dynasty.
Missile Defense
After Failed Tests, U.S. May Fire More Interceptors to Defend Nation
Elaine M. Grossman, Global Security Newswire – July 24, 2013
A recent string of interceptor test failures in the U.S. missile defense system could mean that multiple salvos must be launched in the event of an actual attack against the nation, to ensure that at least one would destroy an incoming weapon, a top commander said on Wednesday.
Iran
New York Targets More Insurers on Iran
Shayndi Raice, Wall Street Journal – July 24, 2013
New York state’s top financial regulator has expanded an investigation into reinsurers that might have provided policies on shipments to Iran, a potential violation of new U.S. sanctions, according to a letter posted on its website Wednesday.
UK snubs Iranian president’s inauguration
Julian Borger, Guardian – July 24, 2013
Britain will not be sending a representative to next month’s inauguration of the new Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, despite an invitation from Tehran.
Opinion: An Opening in Iran
Cliff Kupchan, New York Times – July 22, 2013
When Iran’s president-elect Hassan Rouhani takes office on Aug. 3, he will probably bring moderation to at least some aspects of Iranian nuclear policy. It would be tragic if Rouhani’s ascent becomes yet another missed opportunity in the U.S.-Iran saga.
Nuclear Weapons
STRATCOM chief: Upgrades needed for nuclear weapon arsenal, Global Strike fleets
Brian Everstine, Air Force Times – July 24, 2013
The head of U.S. Strategic Command today urged an end to the gridlock that has delayed long-overdue upgrades to the nation’s nuclear arsenal and the aircraft fleet that protects them.
Opinion: US must move to a modern nuclear strategy
Stuart F. Platt, Stars and Stripes – July 23, 2013
In fact, by working for further nuclear reductions the administration is simply continuing efforts begun by previous administrations to eliminate Cold War weapons and move the U.S. arsenal into the 21st century. America has come to the time where we can do as much, with less in stored nuclear weapons.
