Russia
Obama, Putin to sign new deal on reducing nuclear threat
Roberta Rampton, Reuters – June 17, 2013
President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin said they would sign an agreement on securing and destroying nuclear material to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, replacing a 1992 deal that expired on Monday.
Iran
Russian FM says Iran ready to stop 20-percent enrichment, hails ‘encouraging signs’
Associated Press, Washington Post – June 18, 2013
Russia’s foreign minister says Iran is willing to halt its 20-percent enrichment of uranium, which has been a key concession sought in international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Rouhani, Obama sound positive but indicate progress on nuclear issue is likely to take time
Joby Warrick and Jason Rezaian, Washington Post – June 17, 2013
President Obama and the newly elected president of Iran signaled willingness to improve ties between their nations Monday, but both leaders made clear that a positive tone may not easily translate into progress in resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
Opinion: A Promising Moment in Iran
Editorial Borad, New York Times – June 17, 2013
The election of Hassan Rowhani as Iran’s next president creates an opportunity to move forward on a negotiated agreement to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program and to begin to repair three decades of hostility with the United States. The question is whether Mr. Rowhani and President Obama have the political skill and courage to make it happen.
North Korea
North Korea to Send Senior Envoy to China
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, June 17, 2013
A senior nuclear negotiator from North Korea will visit Beijing for a strategic dialogue this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday.
UN chief: Any US-North Korea talks must focus on denuclearizing Korean peninsula
Associated Press, Washington Post, June 17, 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon believes any dialogue between the United States and North Korea should focus on the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, a U.N. spokesman said Monday.
Women
Military plans would put women in most combat jobs
Lolita C. Baldor, Yahoo! News – June 18, 2013
Military leaders are ready to begin tearing down the remaining walls that have prevented women from holding thousands of combat and special operations jobs near the front lines.
Defense Spending
Top U.S. Nuclear Commander Eyes More Trident Subs, Not Less
Elaine M. Grossman, Global Security Newswire – June 17, 2013
The top U.S. combat commander for nuclear arms last week said he would like to see the Navy buy more than its planned complement of 12 new ballistic missile submarines, despite mounting indications that even that number might be unaffordable.
House Appropriators Propose Cut to Nuclear Weapons Spending
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – June 17, 2013
House appropriators are looking to provide nearly $200 million less than the Obama administration has sought for nuclear weapons programs in fiscal 2014, even as fellow Republicans on other committees argue the administration is not requesting enough.
