IRAN
Don’t Risk Peaceful Elimination of Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Capabilities by Imposing New Sanctions
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, The Huffington Post – December 11, 2013
Speaking on the Senate floor yesterday, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) said that ”For the first time in years, there is a real opportunity to verifiably eliminate Iran’s nuclear weapons capability through tough negotiations rather than by acts of war. The initial interim agreement between the P5+1 and Iran is an encouraging first step, and I urge my colleagues not to put it at risk by passing new sanctions right now.”
Lew Says Iran Nuclear Agreement Doesn’t Weaken Sanctions Regime
Ian Katz, Bloomberg – December 11, 2013
US Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew, speaking at an event hosted by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Washington last night, said that the P5+1 agreement reached last month “does nothing to undo or weaken the core architecture of our sanctions regime.” A number of Senators have criticized the administration for its decision to provide Iran with sanctions relief.
America vs. Iran, Obama’s interim deal and sanctions relief
Jennifer Rubin, The Washington Post – December 11, 2013
Since the P5+1 (Russia, China, France, the UK, the US + Germany) reached a deal with Iran on the latter’s nuclear program last month, congress has heavily criticized the Obama administration. According to a new poll conducted by Frank Luntz, this criticism falls broadly in line with the view of the majority of the US population.
Gulf states hail Iran’s ‘new orientation’
AFP – December 11, 2013
At the end of a two day summit in Kuwait City, the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of six Gulf monarchies including Saudi Arabia, hailed the ”new orientation” of Iran’s new leadership since the election of President Rouhani in August. The council also called for ”concrete measures” towards regional peace to be made.
RUSSIA
Russia May Answer Conventional Attack With Nukes
Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press – December 11, 2013
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said that Russia reserves the right to retaliate against a non-nuclear conventional attack with nuclear weapons. According to Mr. Rogozin, nuclear weapons remain a ”great equalizer” against potential adversaries that reduce the likelihood of aggressive behavior against Russia.
NUCLEAR PARKS
Passed in House, Manhattan Project Park amendment falls short in Senate
John Huotari, Oak Ridge Today – December 11, 2013
Legislation that included funding for a ”Manhattan Project National Park” has fallen short in the Senate. The original bill passed the House of Representatives in June but failed to be included in a final text of the defense bill released late Tuesday night.
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
Nuclear Disarmament: Beyond Iran
Robert Koehler, Chicago Tribune – December 12, 2013
Over the last few months, much of the mainstream media has failed to inform the American people about the dangers posed by the existing global arsenal of nuclear weapons. Too much coverage has been given to the fear that Iran may develop one nuclear weapon and not enough to the fact that the US, its allies and its main adversaries together possess thousands of nuclear weapons.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Scientists raise alarm over plan to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons at sea
Kristina Wong, The Washington Times – December 10, 2013
The US is planning to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile by neutralizing the individual liquid chemical components aboard a US vessel in the Mediterranean Sea. The Pentagon has described the plan as low-risk. Now, a number of chemical weapons experts have criticized these plans on the grounds that too little is known about the chemical weapons to assume that the procedure can be done in a safe manner.
