WMD Security
World worried about nuclear terrorism, but little action at talks
Fredirik Dahl, Reuters – June 24, 2013
More than 100 states meeting next week will warn of the threat of nuclear terrorism but without deciding on any concrete new steps to counter the danger, a draft ministerial statement showed on Monday.
Lugar Expresses Optimism, Concern on Future of WMD Security
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – June 24, 2013
One of two former U.S. senators instrumental in launching efforts to secure weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union is expressing mixed feelings about a new, more limited bilateral agreement with Russia.
Iran
Iran to Receive Nuclear Meeting Proposal in Weeks, Russia Says
Global Security Newswire – June 24, 2013
A group of six major governments is set to invite Iran to a new atomic meeting, once President-elect Hassan Rouhani takes office in early August, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in comments…
South Korea pledges 15 percent cut to Iran oil imports: sources
Meeyoung Cho, Yahoo! News – June 24, 2013
South Korea has pledged to the United States that it will cut imports of Iranian crude by 15 percent in the next six months to secure its next waiver to U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear program, two sources told Reuters.
Russia
Russia: Talks on New Nuke Cuts Must Involve All Nuclear Powers
Global Security Newswire – June 24, 2013
Russia’s top diplomat on Saturday said that every nuclear-armed state must join any new process to cut strategic nuclear forces. He was responding to President Obama’s call last week for Moscow and Washington to pursue further curbs on their deployed atomic arsenals.
Afghanistan
Kerry assures India and its neighbors that U.S. will not abandon Afghanistan
Karen DeYoung and Ernesto Londoño, Washington Post – June 24, 2013
U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry assured India and other concerned partners in this volatile region Monday that the United States plans to continue supporting Afghanistan’s military and to keep American forces in the country “under any circumstances” after the scheduled 2014 combat troop withdrawal.
High expectations: Fledging Afghan air force pressured for readiness
Kristina Wong, Washington Times – June 24, 2013
…With only 18 months left to go before NATO ends its combat mission and much of its air support, coalition trainers are teaching the Afghan air force how to fly and maintain aircraft, and secure airfields as fast and as much as they can before coalition combat troops leave, along with much of its air power.
North Korea
North and South Korea websites shut amid hacking alert
Associated Press, Guardian – June 25, 2013
Several government and media websites in South and North Korea were shut for several hours on the 63rd anniversary of Korean war, and Seoul said its sites were hacked and alerted people to take security measures against cyber-attacks.
Guantanamo
Bill to Ease Transfers of Guantánamo Detainees Moves Through Senate
Charlie Savage, New York Times – June 24, 2013
The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved a bill that would significantly relax legal restrictions on the transfer of detainees out of the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, giving President Obama much greater flexibility as he attempts to revive his effort to close the facility.
