North Korea
North Korean Leader Said to Support Nuclear Talks
Choe Sang-Hun and Chris Buckley, New York Times – July 26, 2013
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, used his meeting with the visiting vice president of China this week to stress a “blood” alliance with Beijing, and expressed his support for reconvening six-nation talks on ending the North’s nuclear weapons program, the official news media of the two allies reported on Friday.
Japan likely to mull pre-emptive strike ability in defence update
Linda Sieg, Reuters – July 24, 2013
Japan is likely to start considering acquiring the ability to launch pre-emptive military strikes in an update of its basic defense policies, the latest step away from the constraints of its pacifist constitution.
Korean Industrial Site Again Focus as Talks Falter
Global Security Newswire – July 25, 2013
Bilateral discussions between North and South Korea on resuming joint operations at the Kaesong industrial complex near their shared border are going badly after six rounds of talks, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Iran
Iran Is Said to Want Direct Talks With U.S. on Nuclear Program
Michael R. Gordon, Washington Post – July 26, 2013
Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq told the Obama administration this month that Iran was interested in direct talks with the United States on Iran’s nuclear program, and said that Iraq was prepared to facilitate the negotiations, Western officials said Thursday.
U.S. Eases Iran Restrictions
Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal – July 25, 2013
The Obama administration, seeking to improve relations with Iran’s President-elect Hassan Rouhani, eased restrictions on medical supplies, agricultural products and humanitarian aid entering the heavily sanctioned Middle East country.
Opinion: Netanyahu’s Threats Undermine
Possible Nuclear Deal With Iran
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Al-Monitor – July 21, 2013
Netanyahu needs to know that Rouhani is neither wolf nor sheep. He is a pragmatic politician who has already proved his sincerity to realize a peaceful, sustainable and realistic solution to the nuclear dilemma.
Opinion: Don’t force an irresponsible vote on Iran sanctions
Gen. Joseph Hoar, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson and Trita Parsi, The Hill – July 25, 2013
The House must not snuff out hopes for Iranian moderation before Rouhani even gets a chance.
Nuclear Weapons
Opinion: Ash at Aspen: Low-balling the Cost of Nukes
William Hartung, Huffington Post – July 22, 2013
Sharp reductions in nuclear weapons will make us safer while saving tens of billions of dollars in the next decade and beyond.
Cold War relic: LANL reveals tunnel to nuke storage site
T.S. Last, Albuquerque Journal – July 24, 2013
About 300 feet directly below the McDonald’s parking lot in Los Alamos lies what was once one of the most secret and secure places in the world.
