IRAN
Senators Seek More Iran Sanctions After Nuke Talks
Bradley Klapper, Associated Press – October 17, 2013
Despite the upbeat note with which the P5+1 talks ended this week in Geneva, a group of bipartisan Senators have called for tougher economic sanctions against Iran. The group has argued that sanctions can only begin to be lifted after Iran has ended all uranium enrichment activity.
Iran Nuclear Talks End on Upbeat Note; More in Nov
George Jahn and John Heilprin, Associated Press – October 16, 2013
Talks between Iran and the P5+1 (France, Russia, China, the US, the UK and Germany) ended yesterday in Geneva with an announcement that follow-up talks would take place in November. Many officials from all parties spoke of significant progress during the talks with regard to reducing hostility and distrust between Iran and the P5+1.
A Look at Main Issues in Iran’s Nuclear Program
Brian Murphy, Associated Press – October 16, 2013
Any significant progress in nuclear talks with Iran must deal with the scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment labs and the stockpile of nuclear material that it has produced in the last few years. A deal on these two issues will not be easy. Iran has made it clear that it will only consider certain limitations on its enrichment program, which in some cases do not meet current US demands.
Examining the Status of Iran’s Nuclear Program
Rick Gladstone, The New York Times – October 16, 2013
The Iranian nuclear program is continuing to advance despite the damaging effects of international economic sanctions in recent years. Based on early reports from Geneva, it does not look as if any significant breakthrough has been made with regard to limiting this program. Some Iranian officials have said that some agreement on limiting the program could be made if the international economic sanctions currently in place are lifted.
RUSSIA
Inside the Ring: Russia to test new missile
Bill Gertz, The Washington Times – October 16, 2013
Russia is planning on launching a new missile, the RS-26, in the next couple of weeks. This new missile boasts a range of advanced technology that is designed to defeat US and European missile defense systems. Some US officials have raised concerns regarding whether or not the new missile violates the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty between the US and Russia.
Why Russia Keeps Moving The Football On European Missile Defense: Politics
Joan Johnson-Freese and Ralph Savelsberg, Breaking Defense – October 17 2013
Russia remains concerned about the US and European missile defense system based in Europe called the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA). The Russian Foreign Ministry recently argued that the system is a threat to Russia’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force. However, the EPAA, due to technological limitations, is less of a threat than Russia argues.
NORTH KOREA
In Bid to Restart Talks, N. Korea Offers to Halt Nuke Tests, but Not Rocket Launches
Rachel Oswald, Global Security Newswire – October 16, 2013
North Korean officials have recently offered to cease nuclear and missile tests if the US agrees to resume aid-for-denuclearization negotiations. The officials made it clear that long-range rocket tests would not cease if such an agreement were to be made. US officials responded that such offers must be backed up with meaningful actions by Pyongyang.
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
Submarines Alone Are Not Enough Nuclear Deterrent
Robert Spalding, Defense One – October 16, 2013
A recent article by two scholars at the CATO Institute called for the scrapping of land-based missiles and long-range bombers as nuclear delivery systems in favor of a submarine-only delivery system. This policy recommendation fails to meet the standard that is required for an effective nuclear deterrent.
