SYRIA
Inspectors Visit All but 2 of Syria’s Declared Chemical Sites
Nick Cumming-Bruce and Michael R. Gordon, New York Times – October 29, 2013
The organization responsible for destroying Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile has completed verification of the country’s chemical weapons arsenal at 21 of the 23 sites identified by the Syrian government. Two sites remain unverified due to their location in government-rebel contested areas.
IRAN
Iran-UN Nuke Talks Advance, New Round Nov. 11
George Jahn, Associated Press – October 28, 2013
Iranian and U.N. negotiators are meeting in Iran to negotiate technical details regarding Iran’s nuclear program ahead of P5+1 talks next month. Although they have so far refused to give details of the meeting, negotiators from both sides have described the Iranian ideas presented as “constructive”.
Kerry Urges Pursuing Diplomacy on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Nicole Gaouette, Bloomberg – October 29, 2013
Speaking at the United States Institute of Peace last night, Secretary of State John Kerry stated that the Obama administration “will not succumb to fear tactics” against holding talks with Iran in Geneva next month. The comments are believed to be targeted at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has strongly criticized U.S. diplomatic efforts with Iran over the past few weeks.
Dick Cheney Skeptical U.S. Can Negotiate With Iran Over Nuclear Program
Benjamin Bell, ABC News – October 27, 2013
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has expressed doubt about the Obama administration’s ability to negotiate a nuclear settlement with Iran in the coming weeks. Asked whether military action against Iran was inevitable, Cheney responded “I have trouble seeing how we’re going to achieve our objective short of that.”
NORTH KOREA
Analysis: Preoccupied Obama criticized over NKorea policy as it advances nuclear program
Associated Press – October 29, 2013
Two former administration negotiators have argued that the US should reenter negotiations with North Korea on its controversial nuclear weapons program. This is unlikely to happen due to higher priority problems currently preoccupying the administration and the fact that North Korea has taken steps to restart its plutonium production.
NUCLEAR POWER
Rosatom Lands $10Bln Jordanian Nuke Plant Deal
RIA Novosti, The Moscow Times – 29 October, 2013
Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, has won a bid to build Jordan’s first nuclear power plant. The deal is worth $10 billion and the plant will supply 12 per cent of Jordan’s energy needs by 2020.
NON-PROLIFERATION
Corker: Inconsistency In Civilian Nuclear Deals Threatens U.S. Non-Proliferation Goals
The Chattanoogan – October 29, 2013
Senator Bob Corker (R-Tn.), the ranking Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday outlining his concerns about recent civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with other countries. According to Senator Corker, a number of them, including a recent deal with Vietnam, potentially compromise current non-proliferation policy.
Toward a WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East
Hillel Schenker – October 28, 2013
Diplomacy has succeeded in destroying Syria’s chemical weapons and it appears as though it is making progress on the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. This atmosphere has created an opportunity for real progress to be made toward the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
