SOUTH ASIA
Two Billion People Could Starve After a ‘Limited’ Nuclear War
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – December 10, 2013
Yesterday, the watchdog group ‘Physicians for Social Responsibility’ released a report titled “Nuclear Famine: Two Billion People at Risk.“ The report explores the likely consequences of a limited nuclear war between India and Pakistan on the climate and, resulting from this, on world food supplies. Such a scenario would likely result in worldwide famine and “probably cause the end of modern industrial civilization as we know it.“
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Final uranium fuel from Russia arrives in US
Matthew Daly, Associated Press – December 10, 2013
The final shipment of uranium fuel, converted from highly enriched uranium extracted from decommissioned Russian nuclear warheads, has arrived in Baltimore this week. The uranium fuel will be used in US nuclear power stations. The regular shipments of uranium fuel from Russia to the US were part of an agreement made between the two countries over twenty years ago.
Fed official: Old Y-12 facilities won’t operate unless safe
Frank Munger, Knoxnews.com – December 10, 2013
The Obama administration is planning to build a new multi-billion dollar ‘Uranium Processing Facility’ at the Y-12 national security complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Questions regarding the safety of the existing facilities at the Y-12 complex have been raised by a number of experts. A federal official has now claimed that the old Y-12 facilities will not operate unless they are deemed safe.
Despite Veto Threat, Lawmakers Stand Ground On Warhead Cost Issue
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – December 10, 2013
Last month, the Obama administration released a formal objection to congressional plans for a study into possible alternatives to an existing plan to upgrade a pair of US nuclear warheads. Congress has remained stubborn on the issue in its proposed version of the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, if passed, would require the administration to conduct the study against the wishes of the White House.
NORTH KOREA
House-Senate Defense Bill Seeks New Radar Against N. Korea Threat
Rachel Oswald, Global Security Newswire – December 10, 2013
A new bipartisan defense bill hammered out on Monday would, if passed, require the Pentagon to build a second early warning radar to detect potential North Korean long-range missile launches against the US. The bill includes $30 million in additional funds for the radar, which will likely be deployed within the borders of a US South East Asian ally.
IRAN
Iran: Guards Chief Criticizes Foreign Minister
Nasser Karimi, Associated Press – December 10, 2013
Speaking to students at Tehran university last week, Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif said that a US military attack would likely paralyze Iran’s defensive system. Yesterday, the head of Iran’s revolutionary guard, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, rebuked the foreign minister’s comments saying that Mr. Zarif “has no expertise in the field of defense,” and “his comments comparing the military power of Iran and the United States were incorrect.”
Kerry, White House, Beat Back New Iran Sanctions… For Now
Yochi Dreazen, John Hudson, Foreign Policy – December 10, 2013
Despite recent rhetoric emanating from Congress, the White House has, for now, successfully blunted the Senate Banking Committee from passing of any new sanctions against Iran. The White House had been battling to blunt new sanctions ever since the US, along with its P5+1 allies (Russia, China, France, the UK + Germany) reached a six month interim deal with Iran last month that limited the latter’s nuclear program.
Iran says to set date for IAEA visit to uranium mine
Fredrick Dahl, Reuters – December 11, 2013
Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are set to meet with Iranian officials today to discuss the details of the interim six month P5+1 plan reached in Geneva last month. Iranian envoy Reza Najafi told reporters today that Iran will set a concrete date for an IAEA nuclear inspection of an Iranian uranium mine during the meeting.
