SYRIA
Missed Opportunity in Syria Haunts U.N. Official
Rick Gladstone and Somini Sengupta, The New York Times – October 2, 2013
The UN high representative for disarmament affairs, Angela Kane, has revealed that she is haunted by the missed opportunity to investigate chemical weapons attacks within Syria at the beginning of the year. An investigation into these earlier attacks could have potentially prevented the August 21 attacks that killed more than 1,400 people.
Weapons Inspection Team Begins Work in Syria
Anne Barnard, The New York Times – October 2, 2013
International weapons inspectors have begun to dismantle the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons stockpile. The Assad government has given no indication that it will hinder the inspectors’ work, however the ongoing civil war spells a level of danger for the inspectors that could lengthen the time required for the stockpile to be completely dismantled.
NORTH KOREA
North Korea threat: How US, Japan plan to counter
Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Lee, Associated Press – October 3, 2013
Japan has come to an agreement with the U.S. allowing a new radar installation and a number of unmanned Global Hawk drones to be stationed on its territory. The measures will increase U.S. and South Korean intelligence on the North Korean nuclear program.
US Experts, NKorean Officials Hold Informal Talks
Associated Press – October 2, 2013
U.S. and North Korean officials met informally in London yesterday in attempt to resurrect six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program. The talks have been put on hold since Pyongyang withdraw in 2009.
IRAN
America Mustn’t Be Naïve About Iran
Vali R. Nasr, The New York Times – October 2, 2013
The Iranian state is not in a position of weakness despite the dire situation of Iran’s economy. The regime is largely secure from both internal and external threats and the U.S. should not go into diplomatic negotiations later this month expecting an Iran ready to “surrender”.
Kerry: ‘Diplomatic malpractice’ not to engage Iran
Associated Press – October 3, 2013
Secretary of State John Kerry said that while Iran’s diplomatic actions could not be taken at “face value”, it would be unwise for the U.S. and its allies to not attempt diplomatic engagement with the country over its enrichment program.
Rouhani: Iran will discuss ‘details’ of uranium enrichment, but not its rights
Associated Press – October 2, 2013
President Rouhani unveiled that he is willing to negotiate on the “details” of the Iranian enrichment program in upcoming negotiations. He stated very clearly, however, that Iran’s right to enrich uranium is “not negotiable”.
NUCLEAR TERRORISM
New Report Says Russia, U.S. Must Do More to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism
Rachel Oswald, Global Security Newswire – October 2, 2013
A new joint report by U.S. and Russian military and intelligence experts titled “Steps to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism” has called for greater efforts by the U.S. and Russian governments to combat the danger of nuclear terrorism. Among its main recommendations are greater sharing of sensitive technical data between the two countries and help for other nations in improving their fissile-material-protection standards.
