Iran
In Iran’s presidential vote, US sees signs that draconian sanctions affecting nuclear policy
Associated Press, Washington Post – June 20, 2013
American officials are hailing the election of an Iranian president who vows to seek relief from international sanctions as the first tangible evidence that the U.S. strategy is influencing Tehran’s nuclear policy.
Iran Picks Site for New Nuclear Research Reactor
Associated Press, ABC News – June 20, 2013
Iran’s state TV says a site in southern Iran has been selected for a planned new nuclear research reactor.
Russia
U.S. Official: Most DOE Nuclear Security Work in Russia Will Continue
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – June 20, 2013
Amid questions as to exactly what nuclear security work the United States can still conduct in Russia following the expiration a 20-year-old agreement this week, the Obama administration is maintaining that most projects led by the U.S. Energy Department in the former Soviet state will continue largely unfettered.
Russia Signals its Interest in More Nuke Cuts Does Not Match Obama’s
Global Security Newswire – June 20, 2013
Senior Russian officials on Wednesday signaled that they have less interest than President Obama in carrying out further reductions to Russian and U.S. strategic nuclear arsenals, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Obama’s Berlin Speech
On Nuclear Cuts, a Split Over Whether Senate Backing Is Needed
Peter Baker, New York Times – June 20, 2013
Secretary of State John Kerry called Senator Bob Corker on Tuesday to discuss President Obama’s renewed drive for arms control.
Hagel says nuclear deterrent will remain strong
Don Walton, Lincoln Journal Star – June 20, 2013
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Thursday assured military personnel at Offutt Air Force Base that nuclear deterrence is “an absolute in America’s defense posture.”
North Korea
South Korea Sets New Demands for Nuke Talks With North
Global Security Newswire – June 20, 2013
South Korea on Wednesday signaled that North Korea will have to go above and beyond previous nuclear disarmament gestures if it wishes to return to long-moribund multinational negotiations, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
Afghanistan
Taliban Talks Could Depend on Detainees
Charlie Savage, New York Times – June 20, 2013
Five prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, could be the key to whether the negotiations the United States has long sought with the Taliban are a success, or even take place.
Women
Hagel: Women in combat the ‘right thing’ — if they can do it
Chris Carroll, Stars and Stripes – June 20, 2013
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told troops in Nebraska that integrating women into combat positions is “the right thing,” but said the Defense Department won’t be artificially easing requirements to pave the way.
