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Nuclear weapons news

N-weapons FAQs

* "How do we prevent the use of nuclear weapons? By threatening to use nuclear weapons. And we can't get rid of nuclear weapons, because of nuclear weapons." - Martin Louis Amis, Einstein's Monsters, 1987, introduction

* the power of warheads on a single American MX or Russian SS-18 totals the power of all ordnance exploded in World War Two.
[Source: Vladimir Belous (director, Center of International and Strategic Surveys, Russia)]

* There are five legally defined nuclear weapons states within the Non-proliferation treaty (NPT): the United States, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia and there were four states outside the treaty, two of which have exploded nuclear weapons -- that's India and Pakistan -- one country that is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has never admitted it -- that's Israel -- and one country which claims to have tested nuclear weapons, but the evidence remains iffy -- that's North Korea.

* Under the NPT, which came into force in March 1970, signatory states renounce the option of ever acquiring such weapons and agree to an international safeguard regime. In return, nuclear weapons powers have agreed to pursue negotiations on nuclear disarmament and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. [Source: John Zarocostas (Geneva), "Iran seen ready to develop nuclear arms; Middle East, Korea are danger zones", The Washington Times, May 12, 2003, p. A16]

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Nuclear weapons news

April 15, 2013

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] Iranophobia or real fears of Bushehr nuclear power plant?, Dalga Khatinoglu, Trend News Agency

* [Iran] Ahmadinejad says Iran does not need atomic bomb, AFP Google

* [Iran] Iran's Ahmadinejad due to visit uranium-producing Niger, Abdoulaye Massalatchi in and Fredrik Dahl, Reuters

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-China] S. Korea sees China enforcing N.K. sanctions 'rather well': FM, Yonhap News

* [North Korea-Japan-US] U.S. 'committed' to defend Japan from N. Korea threats, Korea Herald

* [North Korea-US] U.S. steps up diplomatic efforts toward N.K., Korea Herald

* [North Korea] 5 things we still don't know about North Korea's nukes, Bryan Monroe, CNN

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-Scotland] Protesters chained to Faslane gate, Kilmarnock Standard

* [n-weapons-Scotland] 47 arrested at Faslane anti-Trident protest, Morey Stettner, The Scotsman

* [n-weapons-subs] World's top nuclear submarines, Xinhua News

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March 1, 2013

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-US] Iran sees chance to improve ties with U.S. minister, Reuters (via CSIS poniblogger)
Iran's foreign minister said he sees a chance to improve ties with the United States, despite a longrunning standoff with major powers over his country's disputed nuclear program.

* [Iran-sanctions] Sanction-Hit Iran Fears Unrest as New Elections Near, Ria Novosti (a CSIS poniblogger top story)
Last October, after the Iranian rial lost half its value against the dollar in the space of a week, hundreds of Tehran’s “bazaaris,” or small merchants, took to the streets chanting, “Death to this hypocrite government!”

* [Iran-missiles] Chinese trader accused of busting Iran missile embargo, Reuters (a CSIS poniblogger top story)
A Chinese businessman indicted in the United States over sales of missile parts to Iran is still making millions of dollars from the trade, say security officials who monitor compliance with Western and U.N. sanctions.

* [Iran-US] Is the U.S. kowtowing to Iran in nuclear talks?, Washington Post editorial (via CSIS poniblogger)
THE MOST interesting public result of the latest talks with Iran on its nuclear program was the claim by Tehran’s chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, that the new negotiating proposal from the United States and five partners was a possible “turning point” in what has been nearly a decade of fruitless diplomacy. Those cheery words, and the Iranian’s quick agreement to two follow-up meetings in the next five weeks, raised the question of whether the regime is positioning itself to strike a deal that would freeze the most dangerous elements of its nuclear work in exchange for an easing of the sanctions that are choking its economy.

* [Iran-Israel-US] Senators push vote for US to help Israel in attacking Iran, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-n-rights] Iran's nuclear rights must be recognized: deputy chief nuclear negotiator, Tehran Times (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Anti-Iran sanctions undermine security in Middle East: Analyst, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran nuclear talks show progress: Western diplomat, Tehran Times (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran reasserts readiness to allay N-woes, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Almaty talks, tangible progress: China, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] 'Result of Iran-P5+1 talks, positive', Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran hopeful about future of P5+1 talks, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] 'NPT only basis for Iran-P5+1 talks', Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran-P5+1 talks to pay off if West changes policy: Iran MP, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran] Again, Seeking War with Iran, Consortium News (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran] Comment : Barring Iran from entering the nuclear club - Rehan Khan, Pakistan Daily Times (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran] No compromise on Iran nuclear issue: Iran cleric, Press TV (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran] Iran sees chance to improve ties with U.S.: minister, Michael Shields, Reuters (thanx Nevada state ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea] New South Korean Leader Tries to Coax North to Behave, New York Times (via CSIS poniblogger)
Addressing her two biggest foreign policy challenges, South Korea’s new president, Park Geun-hye, urged Japan Friday to acknowledge its aggressive past while urging North Korea to peacefully engage with the South and abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

* [North Korea] N. Korea ratchets up warning ahead of joint S. Korea-U.S. military drills, Yonhap News (via CSIS poniblogger)
North Korea ratcheted up warnings on Thursday as South Korea is set to hold annual joint military drills with the United States next month.

* [North Korea-China] China moves ahead with N.Korea trade zone despite nuclear test, Charlie Zhu, Reuters (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [North Korea-radwaste-Taiwan] North Korea suing Taipower: report, Helen Ku, Taipei Times (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [North Korea-sanctions] U.S. House panel to hold hearing on NK financial sanctions, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-US] S. Korea, U.S. kick off annual military drills amid tension, Yonhap News (thanx Nevada state ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-US-Russia-France] France reluctant to be involved in Russia-U.S. nuclear disarmament talks, Xinhua (a CSIS poniblogger top story)
Paris won't be involved in the nuclear disarmament talks between Russia and the United States, French President Francois Hollande said Thursday.

* [n-weapons-Brazil-subs] Brazil to get its first nuclear subs, AFP Google (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [n-weapons-Brazil-subs] UPDATE 1-Brazil launches program to build nuclear submarine in a decade, Anthony Boadle, Reuters (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [n-weapons-IAEA] Finn tapped as new chief UN nuclear inspector, YLE News (thanx Nevada state ANP)

* [missile defense-US-Russia] American missile defence plans in Europe seriously worry Russia, Voice of Russia (via CSIS poniblogger)
The U.S. missile defence plans in Europe seriously worry Russia, secretary of the country’s National Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said at his meeting with his Polish counterpart Stanislaw Koziej in Moscow.

* [missile defense-US] Raytheon Will Test Anti-Missile Blimps Over Washington, Bloomberg Businessweek (a CSIS poniblogger top story)
Blimps were supposed to be the military’s Next Big Thing. Not the German military circa 1933, but the U.S. military in the 21st century. Defense contractors have spent the last decade designing football field-long, helium-filled balloons with radar that can track planes, trains, automobiles—and especially missiles. Yet one by one, the projects have floated away, victims of missed budgets and deadlines. One of the few left goes by the catchy title Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System, which its manufacturer, Raytheon (RTW), calls JLENS for short.

* [cyberwar-China] How to win a cyberwar with China, Daniel Blumenthal, Foreign Policy’s Shadow Government (via CSIS poniblogger)
The Internet is now a battlefield. China is not only militarizing cyberspace -- it is also deploying its cyberwarriors against the United States and other countries to conduct corporate espionage, hack think tanks, and engage in retaliatory harassment of news organizations.

* [cyberwar] We Need New Rules for Cyberwar, Jody R. Westby, New York Times (via CSIS poniblogger)
Although every country is free to determine what it considers an act of war, such determinations must be made within the laws of armed conflict. These laws generally consist of the United Nations Charter, the North Atlantic Treaty and the Geneva and Hague Conventions. In considering what may be an act of war, Articles 2 and 51 of the U.N. Charter refer to an “armed attack” and the “use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” The North Atlantic Treaty and Geneva and Hague Conventions contain similar language.

* [cyberwar-China-US] China Alleges Cyberattacks Originated in U.S., Wall Street Journal (via CSIS poniblogger)
China's Ministry of Defense said two military websites were the targets of more than 100,000 cyberattacks a month last year, with almost two-thirds of them originating in the U.S.

* [cybersecurity] Cyber Effort Under Way to Safeguard Infrastructure, Official Says, American Forces Press Service (via CSIS poniblogger)
The Defense Department continues to work toward transformation into a joint information environment with defense industry and interagency partners, a senior DOD official said here today.

* [cybersecrity-US] 4 ways Chuck Hagel can improve cyber security, Matthew Rhoades, Christian Science Monitor (via CSIS poniblogger)
Newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel survived a bitter confirmation process. For weeks, those opposed to his nomination fixated on comments he made more than a decade ago. Although Mr. Hagel’s road to the Obama cabinet was focused on the past, his tenure in office will focus on preparing the military for the threats of the future. Cybersecurity is one area that will demand his attention.

* [cybersecurity-India] India Revamping Cyber Security Defenses, Indian Ministry of Defense (a CSIS poniblogger top story)
Government is aware of the nature of the threats in Cyber Space and is taking appropriate measures to address these threats by way of an integrated approach with a series of legal, technical and administrative steps to effectively deal with the issue of cyber security in the country and to ensure that necessary systems are in place to address the growing threat of cyber attacks.

* [military-planes-F-35s] F-35 Cleared for Flight, Defense News (via CSIS poniblogger)
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been cleared to resume flight operations, six days after a crack discovered in the engine caused the fleet to be grounded.

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January 20, 2013

* [n-weapons-culture;state-WV] Down in a bunker, US chef targets French cooking prize, Fabienne Faur, Agence France Presse
In a windowless Cold War bunker under The Greenbrier, a splendid antebellum resort hotel in rural West Virginia, Greenbrier's 37-year-old executive chef Richard Rosendale is perfecting his dishes with a view to nothing short of total victory in the Bocuse d'Or -- a biannual competition that many regard as the Olympics of fine cuisine. The competition is scheduled for January 29-30 in Lyon, France. In the bunker -- originally built to shelter US politicians in the event of nuclear war -- Rosendale has an exact replica of the kitchen he and his assistant will use in Lyon, right down to the utensils, with a US flag on the wall. An adjoining "war room" features a countdown clock and photographs of winning dishes from past regional Bocuse d'Or contests. So far, no American chef has ever risen past sixth place in the competition.

* [n-weapons-Pakistan;China] U. S. nuclear component may have reached Pakistan via China, Narayan Lakshman, The Hindu, Jan 20, 2013, p. 1
* Qiang Hu is a Chinese national who has been charged in Massachusetts with “conspiracy for violating U.S. export controls by allegedly selling thousands of pressure transducers to unnamed customers through his position of sales manager at MKS Instruments Shanghai Ltd. in China”.
* Pakistan uses pressure transducers to measure the gas pressure inside uranium centrifuge cascades. The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security says Pakistan is among those nations that “use a considerable quantity of the equipment in their centrifuge plants and have regularly sought them through surreptitious means as used in this alleged scheme”. Iran and possibly North Korea are also thought to use the pressure transducers in their enrichment programs.
* With the general assumption here that illicit procurement of components is quite a common practice experts are now urging that the U.S. ought to designate China a ‘Destination of Diversion Concern’, an action that would then require companies there to apply for special licences to import controlled or sensitive U.S. goods on account of the high risk that they may be diverted to rogue nuclear powers. Nuclear screws may indeed be tightened on China in the second Obama term as the Hu case also suggested acute embarrassment for U.S. law enforcement agencies. The Federal Bureau Investigation’s complaint in the matter, for example, cited “deception” that Mr. Hu and his co-conspirators resorted to, in order to procure export licences. The complaint argues that they used two primary means of deception to export the pressure transducers. First, “the conspirators used licences issued to legitimate MKS business customers to export the pressure transducers to China and then caused the parts to be delivered to other end-users who were not themselves named on the export licences or authorised to receive the parts”, the FBI said, adding that the conspirators then “obtained export licences in the name of a front company and then used these fraudulently obtained licences to export the parts to China, where they were delivered to the actual end-users”.

* [n-weapons] Is nuclear capability being used as a safety net?, The Times of India, Jan 20, 2013, p. 13
* Ever since India and Pakistan confirmed, in 1998, what the world knew, that they were both nuclear weapon powers, there has been a paradoxical calm in the background each time the foreground has lit up with fireworks on their hot-and-cold frontier. This stems from an ingrained conviction that since full-scale war has become too dangerous neither country will tempt fate beyond manageable provocations.
The evidence since Hiroshima deserves a thought or two. Nuclear power has not prevented conventional wars from changing the destiny of nations and shape of maps. Atomic bombs sat idly in megapower arsenals while war crawled to victory or defeat through its independent quagmires. Nuclear weapons have only established a contradiction: they are too powerful to be potent.
Just five years after Hiroshima, Korea went to war with itself, and America’s nuclear domination could not ensure victory for its troops or prevent bifurcation of Korea. France tested its bomb, ironically, in the Algeria Sahara on 13 February 1960. It was four times as powerful as that which flattened Hiroshima, but it made no difference in colonialism’s bloodiest war: Algeria defeated France and became independent on 5 July 1962. Nuclear might did not prevent America humiliation in Vietnam or a Soviet catastrophe in Afghanistan. Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands despite Britain’s nuclear missiles. In 1973, Egypt and Syria were aware that Israel had the ultimate weapons of mass destruction, but went ahead with the Yom Kippur offensive. The Pakistan army attempted its daring gambit in Kargil after the nuclear race with India had been well and truly launched.
In fact, our subcontinent induces a perverse question: has the reassurance of nuclear capability become an encouragement for military mischief ? Now that it is certain that there cannot be another 1971, when defeat split Pakistan, does this tempt the more radical or ultra elements in Pakistan, within and outside the army, to test the limits of conventional conflict?
* Now is a time of disarray in Islamabad. Events have unhinged the principal verticals of the Pakistan establishment — an elected executive, the self-perpetuating armed forces and judiciary — from any common mooring. Pakistan's current dilemma is not a disoriented democracy but a dysfunctional state.
* comment from Times reader Gaurav Agarwal (Delhi): ... I think the secular columnists want to have it both ways. Nuclear bombs do not serve a purpose because they are too dangerous to be used and you should never engage in a war with a nuclear weapon state because the results can be devastating. It cannot be both. Choose one.

August 7, 2012

NPT is among themost successful arms control agreements in history

... the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ranks among the most successful arms control agreements in history. Only three states refuse to sign (India, Israel, and Pakistan) with one withdrawn (North Korea). Yet the NPT is not an end in itself. It is a means to a much higher objective; the emancipation of humanity from the dangers of nuclear war.

Source: Crispin Rovere (PhD candidate at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University),"Selling uranium to India could make world safer | Australia should tie exports to ratification of test ban treaty ...", The Canberra Times, August 8, 2012, p. A9

July 30, 2012

Why are antinuclear folks antinuclear? The "Transform Now Plowshares" trespassers at Oak Ridge's Y-12 give their reasons

"We come to the Y-12 facility because our very humanity rejects the designs of nuclearism, empire and war," one statement said. "Our faith in love and nonviolence encourages us to believe that our activity here is necessary; that we invited transformation, undo the past and present work of Y-12; disarm and end any further efforts to increase the Y-12 capacity for an economy and social structure based upon war-making and empire-building."

Source: Frank Munger (Knoxville News), "82-year-old nun, two other protesters at Y-12 arraigned on federal trespassing charges", July 30, 2012

June 24, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] Iran nuclear bomb could bring military balance of power, expert says, Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz (blog), thanx @nuclearnewsbot
Developing a hopeful approach about the future benefits of a nuclear bomb seems like a serious exaggeration.

* [Iran] Show must go: Iran to face P5+1 in Istanbul again, thanx @CustosDivini

* [Iran] New ideas needed in Iran nuke deadlock: analysts, Simon Sturdee, AFP Google (via Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran] Iran will strongly confront possible attacks: IRGC cmdr., Press TV (via Nevada state ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] After Moscow nuclear talks, Netanyahu has even less faith world will stop Iran, thanx @CustosDivini

* [Iran-Venezuela] Venezuela supplies Iran with F-16 #Chavez #Israel #nuclear, thanx @CustosDivini

* [Iran-Venezuela] Ahmadinejad Meets With Chavez as Nuclear Talks in Moscow Falter #Venezuela #Iran #news, thanx @CustosDivini

* [Iran-sanctions-oil] EU sanctions won't affect Iran's oil industry: oil minister, Xinhua News (via Nevada state ANP)

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see previous Iran-related news at nuclear.com's Iran page

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-Japan] Korean Ex-Military Official Says "N.K. Nuclear Threat Much Greater than We Think", thanx @CustosDivini

* [North Korea] N. Korea vows to boost nuclear deterrent, AFP Google (via Nevada state ANP)

* [North Korea] DPRK vows to bolster up nuclear deterrence as U.S. persists in hostile policy, Xinhua News (via Nevada state ANP)

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see previous North Korea-related news at nuclear.com's North Korea page

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-US] US commissions 361 cruise missiles, some go to Fifth Fleet, Press TV (via Nevada state ANP)

* [n-terror] Nuclear terror, Munir Akram (former Pakistan ambassador to the UN), Dawn, thanx @CustosDivini
Nuclear weapons are devilishly complex to develop, deploy and use. India required five decades (1948-1998) to master the atomic bomb; Pakistan developed its capability over 24 years; North Korea acquired a primitive capability after 20 years. Iran’s enrichment capacity has evolved in even slower motion. Terrorist organisations will find it virtually impossible to develop nuclear weapons by themselves. No state is likely to share its nuclear weapons capability with non-state actors because their unaccountable use, or threat of use, of a nuclear weapon, would most certainly invite a retaliatory response endangering the very existence of the transferring state. Islamic jihadis may resort to suicide attacks; Islamic states are not suicidal. Moreover, it is totally beyond the capability terrorist organisations to arm, aim and fire a nuclear weapon. These complex systems require the coordinated actions of an entire team of highly trained people to use them.

* [n-weapons-missile defense-Russia-Finland] Video: June 22, 2012: #Putin warns NATO not to deploy missiles in #Finland (RU), thanx @CustosDivini

* [n-weapons-missile defense] Star Wars vs. Real Missile Defense, thanx @CustosDivini

* [WMD-chemical weapons-Libya] Video: Libyan doctor confirms use of chemical weapons, thanx @CustosDivini

* [WMD-bioweapons] DIY biology: the next big thing?, Laura H. Kahn, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, thanx @BulletinAtomic
Welcome to the new millennium of do-it-yourself (DIY) biology. Advances in technology in the twenty-first century have enabled anybody, with the desire and the disposable income, to build rather sophisticated laboratories in their own homes... President Bill Clinton was so frightened by Richard Preston's 1998 novel, The Cobra Event -- which depicted a crazed scientist creating a deadly bioweapon in his Manhattan apartment -- that he decided to target government funds to fight bioterrorism. Today, those fears are potentially more grounded in reality than ever... Following the anthrax attacks, the FBI became so jumpy about home laboratories that, in 2004, they went so far as to arrest a University of Buffalo professor who used bacteria in his artwork at home. (The terrorism charges against him were subsequently dropped.) Luckily, the FBI has come a long way since then and is now engaging the academic, industrial, and home biology communities with WMD coordinators in each of their 56 field offices. The FBI has learned that the best prevention strategy is open and congenial communication.

June 23, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] Iran opposition head says West must end appeasement, John Irish and Sunaina Karkarey, Reuters
* Maryam Rajavi: "Western countries lost this decade by providing all sorts of incentives to the Mullahs - a decade of appeasement and fruitless negotiations... Stopping the Mullahs' nuclear threat is possible only through changing (its) dictatorial regime," she said. "If one is not interested in handing the bomb to the Mullahs, one should side with the Iranian people's resistance to topple the regime."

* [Iran-wardrums] How not to write an analysis piece on a possible war with Iran, Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz
* A report published on the Business Insider website, saying Israel and the U.S. are preparing for a strike against Iran, contains nothing exclusive, no new information, and is riddled with gross inaccuracies

* [cyberwar-Stuxnet] Killing Stuxnet: Powerful cyberweapon to shut down Sunday, Mark Clayton, The Christian Science Monitor
deep inside Stuxnet's labyrinth of software code are a few lines that will soon order the program to stop working altogether in a pre-programmed, belated and ultimately unsuccessful bid to prevent it from being detected and deciphered, say computer forensic experts who have examined the program's code.

* [Iran-Israel] Israeli strike on Iran would end Jewish state – Iran’s top brass, RT (Russia Today)
Brigadier General Mostafa Izadi, deputy chief of staff of Iran's armed forces: If Israel goes from threats to military actions, "it is Israel who will be destroyed."

* [Iran-Pakistan] Pakistani MP dismisses pressure on Iran’s peaceful N-program, IRNA
Malik Shakeel Awan of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz: "There is no other view to that Iran is pursuing a peaceful nuclear program"

* [Iran] Iran ‪#nuclear‬ - "a decade of appeasement and fruitless negotiations", sez leader of Iranian opposition-exile group NCRI, thanx @nuclearcom

* [Iran] British Foreign Secretary William Hague alleges that Iran has carried out secret tests of missiles capable of delivering a nuclear charge, Sandy Agustian, 'my islam is peace' blog, thanx @SoNuke

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran enriching uranium at fast pace despite Stuxnet: experts #IAEA, thanx @CustosDivini

* [Iran-Israel] After Moscow nuclear talks, Netanyahu has even less faith world will stop Iran, Haaretz, thanx @nuclearnewsbot

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-US] In North Korea, learning to hate US starts early: Toting toy guns, North Korean children learn from kindergarten to hate the 'American bastards', Jean H. Lee, Associated Press
* For North Koreans, the systematic indoctrination of anti-Americanism starts as early as kindergarten and is as much a part of the curriculum as learning to count. ... At the Kaeson Kindergarten in central Pyongyang, one of several schools visited by the AP, U.S. soldiers are depicted as cruel, ghoulish barbarians with big noses and fiendish eyes. Teeth bared, they brand prisoners with hot irons, set wild dogs on women and wrench out a girl's teeth with pliers. One drawing shows an American soldier crushing a girl with his boot, blood pouring from her mouth, her eyes wild with fear and pain.
* History lessons at Kaeson Kindergarten: "First, we start by teaching that the American imperialists started the war," said soft-spoken schoolteacher Jon Chun Yong, citing the North Korean version of how the war began. "From that time on, the tragedy emerged by which our nation was divided in two," said Jon, who has taught at the kindergarten for 15 years. "Since then, our people had to endure the pain of living divided for a long half-century." Outside North Korea, history books tell a different story. Western textbooks say that two years after North and South Korea declared themselves separate republics, North Korean troops marched into South Korean capital, Seoul, on the morning of June 25, 1950. U.S.-led United Nations and South Korean forces fought communist North Korean troops backed by Chinese soldiers in a three-year battle for control of the peninsula. The U.S. and North Korea finally called a truce in 1953, and Korea remains divided to this day.

* [North Korea-China] The Logic of China’s Korea Policy, Yun Sun, New Leaders Forum
* Many U.S. and South Korean analysts have become increasingly frustrated, indeed annoyed, by China’s policy toward North Korea. In their view, China’s policy not only jeopardizes the security of the United States and South Korea, but also undermines international norms in a way detrimental to China’s own national interests. ... Ralph Cossa and Brad Glosserman argued that China’s North Korea policy is "misguided, illogical and self-defeating" because it enables North Korean misbehavior, antagonizes China’s neighbors, contributes to the strengthening of U.S. alliances in the region and tarnishes China’s international image.
* However, with the quickening changes in regional dynamics, including U.S. policy, this analysis has missed a fundamental strategic aspect of China’s security assessment, namely that China is increasingly concerned about the strategic intentions of the U.S. towards China, as well as its web of military alliances. Washington and Seoul have repeatedly cited the North Korea threat to justify the existence and strengthening of their military alliance, suggesting that the alliance would ultimately lose its rationale for existence once the North Korea issue is resolved, perhaps through reunification. However, as the U.S. and South Korea have sought to "regionalize" and "globalize" the alliance, it has become less and less clear, to policy makers in Beijing at least, that the alliance won’t train its sights on China. This raises a fundamental question for China: why should Beijing help the U.S. and South Korea with North Korea if it undermines its own security interests in the future? The announcement of the U.S. pivot to Asia has only served to intensify such suspicions. The problem is that tensions between the U.S. and China are structural – the rise of China inevitably poses challenges to the United States’ superpower status. This power structure means that certain U.S. and Chinese goals will inevitably be in conflict, and Beijing is bound to see U.S. "meddling" in the South China Sea disputes, as well as announcements over military deployments in the region, as part of a strategy to counter China. And the U.S.-South Korea alliance is an intrinsic element of this strategy, meaning China’s logic on North Korea policy should be clear: China sees no reason to help the U.S. and South Korea "solve" the North Korea problem because, simply put, China could be next on the list.

* [n-weapons-US-tactical] Republicans in Congress want to deploy a tactical nuclear weapon in Korea!, Robert Tilford, Examiner Military Affairs blogger
House Armed Services Committee adopted an amendment to the fiscal 2013 national defense authorization bill that supports "steps to deploy additional conventional forces of the United States and redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to the Western Pacific region." It mandates that the Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton) and Defense Secretary (Leon Panetta) submit a report on the 1) feasibility and 2) logistics of redeploying forward-based nuclear weapons there, "in response to the ballistic missile and nuclear weapons developments of North Korea and the other belligerent actions North Korea has made against allies of the United States." The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), was approved by a vote of 32-26, with all Republicans, except for Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA), and two Democrats in favor...

* [North Korea-China] China sees no reason to help “solve” the N. Korea problem because, simply put, China could be next on the list, thanx @nuclearcom

* [North Korea] After 28 years in North Korean camp, survivor speaks out, Agence France Presse, thanx @NKoreaReports

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons] Once central to strategy, ‪#nuclear‬ matters no longer command a solid anchoring point in US foreign policy lexicon ‪#tcot‬, thanx @nuclearcom

* [n-weapons-US] US Nuclear Forces, 2012, Hans M. Kristensen and Robert S. Norris, thanx @BulletinAtomic

* [n-weapons-US] The Nuclear Weapons Industry's Money Bombs, How millions in campaign cash and revolving-door lobbying have kept America’s atomic arsenal off the chopping block, R. Jeffrey Smith, Mother Jones, thanx @SoNuke

* [n-weapons-US] [Alleged] President Obama has decided to seek deeper cuts in deployed strategic nuclear weapons to as…, thanx @SoNuke

* [n-weapons-Japan] The world has long regarded Japan as a virtual nuclear power, thanx @SoNuke

* [n-weapons-Japan] National security clause must be deleted from law on atomic energy, Mainichi editorial, thanx @SoNuke

* [n-weapons-Japan] Revisions to Japanese Atomic Law Cause Worry Over Possible Weapons Aim, Global Security Newswire, thanx @CustosDivini

* [n-weapons-missile defense-Putin] #Putin: "I think that the missile defense problem will not be solved if #Obama is reelected...." #G20 #Romney, thanx @CustosDivini

* [n-weapons-history] The day a Major got fired from the Air Force for asking if the president was mad #ColdWar #history #nuclear, thanx @CustosDivini

* [n-weapons-history] A time-lapse map of every nuclear explosion from 1945 to 1998 – by Isao Hashimoto, thanx @SoNuke

January 25, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-assassination-UK] UK's Hague questioned over Iran assasination, Press TV

* [Iran-China] Iran-China trade soars to top $45 bn: report, AFP Google

* [Iran-EU-Belarus] Belarus censures EU sanctions on Iran, Press TV

* [Iran-Israel] 'Israel lies about Iran to escape crimes', Press TV

* [Iran-Japan] Japan urges diplomacy on Iran N-issue, Press TV

* [Iran-oil-EU-Israel] Israel hails EU embargo on Iran's oil, Press TV

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'EU in for severe crisis due to Iran ban', Press TV

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'EU will suffer most from Iran oil ban', Press TV

* [Iran-oil-EU] Iran Considers Preemptive Ban of Oil Sales to Europe, Mehr Says, Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg

* [Iran-oil-EU] Iran dismisses 'irrational' EU oil ban, has other markets, Platts

* [Iran-oil-EU] Statoil exempted from EU ban on Iran oil, Press TV

* [Iran-oil-Russia] Iran oil ban jeopardizes market: Russia, Press TV

* [Iran-oil] IMF warns over risk of Iran oil price shock, BBC News

* [Iran-oil] IMF: halt in Iran oil could push crude up 30 percent, Lesley Wroughton and Timothy Gardner, Reuters

* [Iran-Russia-Turkey] Russia, Turkey call for resumption of talks on Iran's nuclear program, Xinhua News

* [Iran-Russia] Russia urges early renewal of Iran talks, Press TV

* [Iran-sanctions-EU] News Analysis: Will EU sanctions bring Iran to heel?, Xinhua News

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Even without Hormuz blockade, Iran has options, Peter Apps, Reuters

* [Iran-UK] Britain in war and peace with Iran, Press TV

* [Iran-US] 'Obama anti-Iran threats, propaganda', Press TV

* [Iran-US] Frustrated US rambles on Iran: Gary Sick?, Press TV

* [Iran-US] Obama: No options off table on Iran nuclear program, Laura MacInnis, Reuters

* [Iran-wardrums] 'EU sanctions pretext for Iran war', Interview with Ralph Schoenman, Press TV

* [Iran] Iran won't move toward nuclear weapon in 2012: ISIS report, Tabassum Zakaria and Mark Hosenball, Reuters

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-South Korea-US] N. Korea denounces planned S. Korea-U.S. joint military drills, Yonhap News

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-US] USA balances trade and proliferation concerns, World Nuclear News
A letter from senior US officials signals that the country will continue to seek nuclear trade agreements with conditions on enrichment and reprocessing implemented on a "case-by-case" basis.

* [n-weapons-CD] UN calls for progress from disarmament body, Xinhua News

* [n-weapons-Ghana] Arrest of Atomic Energy officials implicates Ghana, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

* [n-weapons-Ghana] Demolition At Kwabenya - Atomic Boss, 36 Others Arrested, Michael Gyasi Ampofo, Modern Ghana

* [n-weapons-history] US forced to defend Manhattan Project park to Japan, Julian Ryall, Daily Telegraph

* [n-weapons-India-Pakistan] A precarious Indo-Pak nuclear balance, Happymon Jacob, The Hindu

* [n-weapons-India-US] The Coming U.S.-India Train Wreck, Richard Fontaine, The Diplomat

* [n-weapons-radiation-Downwinders-Idaho] photo: Haunting voices of the past, Messenger Index

* [n-weapons-Russia-US] Putin Says U.S. Seeks 'Vassals' Not Allies as Campaign Heats Up, Ilya Arkhipov and Henry Meyer, Bloomberg

* [n-weapons-US] Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Assessments, DHS Should Establish More Specific Guidance for Their Use, GAO-12-272, GAO

* [n-weapons-US] Construction Begins On Semi-Secret Air Force Project, WESH Orlando

* [n-weapons] USA balances trade and proliferation concerns, World Nuclear News

January 24, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-assassination-Israel] Mossad kills Iranian scientists: Poll, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA-US] U.S. urges Iran to comply with IAEA team, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'Unprecedented' EU Sanctions on Iran a Farce, Rick Moran, FrontPage Magazine (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'EU oil embargo on Iran will backfire', Interview with Carol Turner, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'EU embargo targets ordinary Iranians', Interview with Mohammad Marandi, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'EU ban on Iran oil, political game', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India to pay for Iran's oil in gold, Rediff (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iranian oil ban may result in 'race for the bomb', BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Oil Trades Near $100 on Speculation Iran Will Respond to European Embargo, Ben Sharples, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iran will not accept these sanctions - it will respond, Tom Rogan, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'Sanctions reinforce Iran's resolve', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Iran sanctions, provocation for war', Interview with Jeff Gates, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran escalation 'could see UK forces sent to Gulf', BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] NZ disarmament expert: Western anti-Iran claims are a deception, Bob Rigg, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China-Israel] Israel's deputy PM welcomes China's Middle East policy, Xinhua (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said on Monday that he welcomes China's policy on the Iranian nuclear issue and Israeli-Palestinian peace process, saying that Beijing is contributing to the stability of the Middle East and the world order

* [Iran-IAEA-US] US asks Iran to cooperate with IAEA, Press Trust of India (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The US has asked Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency when their inspectors visit the country, even as Tehran threatened to close down the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation of oil sanctions.

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA aims to resolve "substantive issues" in Iran, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The U.N. nuclear watchdog Monday confirmed plans for a January 29-31 visit to Iran and said its main objective was to "resolve all outstanding substantive issues," referring to suspicions of military dimensions to the Iranian atomic energy program.

* [Iran-oil-EU] Iran slams EU oil embargo, warns could hit U.S., SINA (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
Iran accused Europeans on Monday of waging "psychological warfare" after the EU banned imports of Iranian oil, and President Barack Obama said Washington would impose more sanctions to address the "serious threat presented by Iran's nuclear program."

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Iran sanctions: Ministers adopt Iran oil imports ban, BBC News (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
European Union foreign ministers have formally adopted an "unprecedented" oil embargo against Iran over its nuclear programme, banning all new oil contracts with the country.

* [Iran-sanctions-EU-US] Europe, U.S. impose new Iran sanctions but repeat offer for talks, Jonathan S. Landay, McClatchy Newspapers (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
Even as they tightened the financial screws on Iran with new sanctions on Monday, the United States and its European allies reiterated their readiness to resume talks with Tehran on curbing what they suspect is a secret nuclear weapons development program.

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] US carrier in Gulf after passing Strait of Hormuz, AFP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is now in the Gulf, the Pentagon said, after Tehran threatened to close the strategic shipping route.

* [Iran-talks] Bid for Iran nuclear talks confronts old snags, Brian Murphy, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Sabotage, bombings, sanctions: A growing web of pressure over Iran, Josh Levs, CNN (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Foreign Policy: Stop The Madness, Yousaf Butt (FAS), NPR (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Iran nuclear weapons threat escalates, Colin Rubenstein, Jakarta Post (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-India-submarines] India becomes 6th nation to join elite nuclear submarine club, Rajat Pandit, Times of India (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-materials security] How Accurate is the NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index?, Ch. Viyyanna Sastry and Rajiv Nayan, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UK-sub fire] Fire alert on nuclear sub at Devonport, Western Daily Press (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-Downwinders] Will the downwinders finally be heard?, Janet Monti, Emmett Messenger-Index (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-Downwinders] Downwinders hope Day of Remembrance spurs change, David DeMille, St. George Daily Spectrum (via Nevada ANP)

January 23, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-EU-talks] France, Germany, Britain urge Iran to talk "seriously", Yann Le Guernigou and John Irish, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] EU to draw sanctions on Iranian central bank, oil exports, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] Iran Urged to Negotiate as Europe Agrees on New Sanctions, Stephen Castle And Alan Cowell, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] EU states agree gradual ban on Iran oil, sanctions on central bank (Update 2), Justyna Pawlak and David Brunnstrom, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] Factbox: EU sanctions against Iran, Justyna Pawlak, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] Key UN nuclear visit will be test for Iran, James Blitz, Tom Burgis, Joshua Chaffin and Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Financial Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA: Iran visit to resolve key issues, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] Tougher EU sanctions on Iran 'important': Israel, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU holds talks on Iran oil embargo, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU imposes sanctions on Iran oil, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] Hague terms Iran oil embargo legitimate, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] What will be the impact of the EU ban on Iranian oil?, Jonathan Marcus, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India drawn to Iran's favourable oil terms: Reddy, IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Spain-Saudi] Spain says Saudis promise to make up for loss of Iran oil, Julien Toyer and David Brunnstrom, Reuters Africa (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Qatar] Qatar Prime Minister Opposes Any Kind of Action Against Iran, Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia alarmed by EU ban on Iranian oil, sanctions, Reuters Africa (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia says unilateral sanctions on Iran 'do not help', AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia hopes Iran nuclear talks will resume soon, Alexei Anishchuk, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-oil price] Will sanctions on Iran affect the price of oil?, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Ashton: Sanctions should encourage Iran 'to negotiate', BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] US welcomes EU sanctions on Iran, hopes they lead to nuclear talks, Kate Dourian, Platts (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'Iran sanctions will backfire on West', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'Iran sanctions will fizzle', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] U.S. tightens grip on Iran's financial system, Rachelle Younglai, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Obama says EU sanctions show united front against Iran, Alister Bull, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran May Shut Hormuz, Will React to Sanctions, Press TV Reports, Emre Peker, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran 'must come to the table' on nuclear issue, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Hague plea to Iran on nuclear talks, Press Association (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-Africa] US mounts pressure on Iran using Africa, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-oil] Iran oil sanctions spark war of words between Tehran and Washington, Ian Traynor in Brussels and Nick Hopkins, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] NPR and PBS Anti-Iranian Propaganda, Stephen Lendman, OpEdNews (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Iran war rhetoric is ridiculous', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] A winning Strategy For Iran, and for the World, Scott Baker, OpEdNews (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-Iran] Why Iran and North Korea Are Different, John Glaser, antiwar.com (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] India sails new nuclear submarine home, Yahoo!7 News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] India gets nuclear submarine from Russia, Kalyan Ray, Deccan Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] India joins elite nuclear sub club, Rahul Singh, Hindustan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] Finally, India gets n-sub from Russia, Manu Pubby, Indian Express (via Nevada ANP)

January 22, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-US] Rumor: clandestine negotiations between the U.S. and Iran may come out of the shadows; Is it possible that, despite the rhetoric on both sides, a real agreement is in the process of being reached regarding Iran's nuclear program?, Snafu blog (via @SoNuke)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] USS Abraham Lincoln transited the Strait of Hormuz Sunday into the Persian Gulf 'without incident'... just a few hours after Defense Secretary Panetta said USS Enterprise would take that trip in March. Iran allowed the passage without the slightest movement, physical or in the media, Snafu blog (via @SoNuke)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Stop madness on Iran nuclear program', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-France] Iran dismisses Sarkozy's remarks on Iranian nuclear program, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-France] Mehmanparast dismisses Sarkozy's remarks on Iran's nuclear program?, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA chief pledges cooperation with Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU prepares to ban imports of Iranian oil, Russell Padmore, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Iran sanctions: Nations poised to ban Iran oil imports, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] European Union Likely to Agree on Iranian Oil Ban, Gregory Viscusi and Ewa Krukowska, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU readies ban on Iran oil imports, central bank sanctions, Justyna Pawlak, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Greece] Greece wants 'eased' ban on Iran oil, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Iran Says Negotiations, Not Sanctions, Key to Resolving Nuclear Standoff, Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] No justification of sanctions against Iran: MP, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Saudi-Pakistan] The Bomb: Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Express Tribune (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Analysis-Iran's softer Gulf words don't mean nuclear shift, Robin Pomeroy, Reuters Africa (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Iran pres. dismisses US-led sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-France] Intervention In Iran Would Trigger War And Chaos: Sarkozy, Agence France Presse (via Paulo's Corner)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned Friday that any foreign military intervention against Iran's nuclear programme would trigger "war and chaos" across the Middle East and beyond. "Time is limited. France will do everything to avoid military intervention, but there is only one way to avoid it: a much tougher, more decisive, sanctions regime," Sarkozy told an audience of diplomats in Paris. He called on all countries to freeze Iranian central bank assets and halt imports of Iranian oil. ...

* [Iran] Reality Check: Shorter And Shorter Timeframe If Iran Decides To Make Nuclear Weapons, David Albright, et al, ISIS (via Paulo's Corner)
In the discussion regarding the nature of the Iranian nuclear program, some have sought to downplay Iran's nuclear progress by emphasizing that Iran has not yet "made the decision to build a nuclear weapon." While it is true and important that there are no indications that Iran has made a decision to actually construct a nuclear weapon, such a statement does not accurately portray the real concern about Iran's nuclear program and progress. In fact, Iran has already made a series of important ...

* [Iran-Israel-US] US Top Officer Heads To Israel Amid Conflicting Views Over Iranian Nuclear Program, Associated Press (via Paulo's Corner)
The U.S. military's top officer headed to Israel on Thursday at a time of mounting international anxiety over Iran's nuclear intentions and the possibility that the Jewish state might take military action to keep Tehran from building bombs. The arrival of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, comes at a charged time when Israel has grown increasingly vocal about its impatience over the international community's failure to curb Iran's nuclear program through san...

* [Iran-IAEA] UN To Probe 'Military Angle' To Iran Nuclear Drive, Agence France Presse (via Paulo's Corner)
A high-level IAEA delegation visiting Iran January 29-31 aims to verify if Tehran's nuclear programme has a military dimension, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said in an interview to be published Thursday. "We wish to simply verify all that has a military dimension... and I simply want Iran to cooperate," Yukiya Amano told Financial Times Deutschland. Iran denies Western accusations of a military nuclear drive, saying its programme is geared toward peaceful ends. Amano also rebuffed s...

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-US] U.S. Passed Message To North Korea On Desire For Talks: Senior Envoy, Elaine M. Grossman (via Paulo's Corner)
The United States has conveyed to North Korea its readiness to engage in talks about Pyongyang's nuclear program and other issues, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Thursday."We have made clear -- through both public channels and privately -- that we are prepared to start a new chapter, and deal clearly with outstanding issues of nuclear matters and the like," Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said at a Washington event. Any U.S. engagement with Nor...

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-US] Air Force nuclear missile officers - the class that graduated this month was first in two decades not to have ethics course. The course was pulled last summer because it was too Christian, Markeshia Ricks, Air Force Times

* [n-weapons-French Polynesia] Concern at continued closure of French Polynesia's nuclear weapons test sites, Radio New Zealand (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-CD] Conference On Disarmament To Hold First Public Plenary Of 2012 Session On 24 January, UN press release (via Paulo's Corner)
The Conference on Disarmament, the world's sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations, will hold the first public plenary of its 2012 session on Tuesday, 24 January at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. In accordance with its rules of procedure, at its opening meeting, the Conference "shall adopt its agenda for the year at the beginning of the session. In doing so, the Conference shall take into account the recommendations made to it by the United Nations General Assembly, the propo...

* [n-weapons-CD] Conference On Disarmament To Convene, Global Security Newswire (via Paulo's Corner)
The 65-member nation disarmament body under its guiding rules "shall adopt its agenda for the year at the beginning of the session," according to a U.N. press release. "In doing so, the conference shall take into account the recommendations made to it by the United Nations General Assembly, the proposals by its members, and decisions of the conference," according to the guidelines. The U.N. General Assembly last year urged the multilateral body to overcome a decade-old impasse that has prev...

January 21, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums] A strike on Iran will only benefit Iran, Nadine Elali, NOW Lebanon blog (via @CustosDivini)

* [Iran-wardrums-UAE] UAE warns against fueling anti-Iran bids, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran envoy warns West about info war, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran war: US eyes Mideast gendarme role, Ismail Salami, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkish-Iranian warming loses credibility as claims of terrorism emerge; intelligence that an Iranian military unit is preparing to organize attacks in Turkey is leading to controversy in the Turkish media, adding to suspicions over growing tension in Iranian-Turkish relations, Today's Zaman (via @CustosDivini)

* [Iran-oil-Turkey] Turkey unlikely to cut Iranian crude, fearing extra costs, Sunday's Zaman (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-] 'UN should book Iran scientist killers', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] Iran envoy criticizes UNSC silence over assassination of scientists, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Stop the campaign of terror against Iran and its scientists!, Ramsey Clark, Global Research (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Brazil] Brazilian FM expresses skepticism over EU sanctions of Iran, Constanza Heller, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China stresses diplomacy on Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China Leader Warns Iran Not to Make Nuclear Arms, Michael Wines, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] 'Iran-China ties full-scale, strategic', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-France] Spokesman lashes out at Sarkozy's remarks on Iran, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-France] 'Sarkozy makes false claims against Iran'?, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] Amano says he is committed to constructive cooperation with Iran, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-India] India, Iran to trade oil in rupees, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Japan] Japanese ambassador to Iran said, "I think Iran's nuclear activities are 100 percent peaceful", PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian, excerpt from article titled "Oil sanctions on Iran will affect world's economy: Japanese envoy" (via @SoNuke)

* [Iran-oil-China-India] China, India brush aside Iran oil ban, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU edges closer to Iran oil ban, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] New Iran sanctions most threaten non-U.S. banks, Brett Wolf, Al-Arabiya (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] 'Lifting Iran sanctions, condition for talks'?, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] P5+1 ready for Iran talks: Ashton, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Major powers open to serious talks with Iran, Arshad Mohammed and Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] 'US presence imperils regional security', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] 'Obama recognizes Iran's N-rights', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea] Concerns over NK Provocations Threaten 'Key Resolve', Cho Jong Ik, Daily NK (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea] N. Korea builds up Kim Jong Un as nuke visionary, Associated Press (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea] North Korea credits new leader Kim Jong Un with spearheading nuclear testing, Associated Press (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea-Japan] North Korea Releases Two Japanese Detained Last Year, Matsubara Says, Sachiko Sakamaki, Bloomberg (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea] His dear leader: Meet North Korea's secret weapon - an IT consultant from Spain; Alejandro Cao de Benos - or 'Zo', as his comrades call him - is a devoted follower of the late Kim Jong-il and vigorously defends the North Korean government he represents, Tim Hume, The Independent (via @NKoreaReports)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-n-plants-Iran-North Korea] Reactors and Bombs: How North Korea and Iran can militarize 'civilian' nuclear plants, Henry Sokolski, The Weekly Standard (via @CustosDivini and @NuclearPolicy)

* [n-weapons-IAEA] IAEA Chief Outlines 2012 Priorities, IAEA (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] Russia's N-powered submarine to enter service by June, Zee News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UN-US] How the U.S. Manipulates Key U.N. Appointments, Thalif Deen, IPS News (via Nevada ANP)

January 20, 2012

US triad - $350-billion through 2070 for 12 new subs

The Navy has been seeking 12 new nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines to carry more than 1,000 nuclear warheads into the 2070s, at a total cost of almost $350 billion.

Source: Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina (Arms Control Assn), "How Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programs", Christian Science Monitor, January 19, 2012

US triad to include new bombers and land-based missiles

The Air Force has sought a new, nuclear-armed strategic bomber that would cost at least $68 billion, as well as a new fleet of land-based ballistic missiles.

Source: Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina (Arms Control Assn), "How Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programs", Christian Science Monitor, January 19, 2012

How to save $45-billion over next ten years

There are three key ways in which the president and the Congress can trim at least $45 billion from strategic nuclear force modernization programs over the next 10 years.

The first step is to downsize the nuclear-armed submarine force. By reducing the Trident nuclear-armed sub fleet from 14 to eight or fewer boats and building no more than eight new nuclear-armed subs, the US could save roughly $27 billion over 10 years, and $120 billion over the 50-year lifespan of the program.

And by increasing the warhead loadings on each submarine, the Navy could still deploy the same number of strategic nuclear warheads at sea as currently planned under the New START treaty (about 1,000).

Second, work on a new strategic bomber should be delayed. There is no rush to field a fleet of new bombers given the Pentagon’s plan to retain 60 of its existing nuclear-capable, long-range B-2 and B-52 bombers into the 2040s. Delaying work on the new bomber program would save $18 billion over the next decade, according to the Pentagon.

For additional savings, the Pentagon could consider reductions to its land-based strategic missile force from 420 to 300 by cutting one squadron at each of the three Air Force bases where such missiles are deployed and foregoing a follow-on missile program to replace the existing force.

Source: Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina (Arms Control Assn), "How Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programs", Christian Science Monitor, January 19, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-China] China warns Iran against nuclear weapons, UPI (via @nuclearnewsbot)

* [Iran-EU] EU Sanctions Wouldn't Be Derailed By Iran Nuclear Talks Offer - EU Sources, Dow Jones (via @nuclearnewsbot)

* [Iran] Considering the "Rally Round the Flag Effect" in Iran, Eli Jacobs, Center for Strategic and International Studies

* [Iran-talks] Turkey seeks steps to facilitate Iran talks; Foreign minister says time and place need to be decided for resuming nuclear talks between Tehran and major powers, Al Jazeera (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-talks] All sides willing to resume Iran nuclear talks-Turkey, Ece Toksabay, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-US] U.S. open to diplomacy with Iran, UPI (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-oil-EU] Britain and France set to push through EU oil embargo on Iran as pressure ratchets up over Tehran's nuclear programme, David Williams, London Daily Mail (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel] Israel may have taken a step back from bombing Iran - but for how long? The chair of the US joint chiefs of staff who is in Israel to discuss Iran will warn of the dire consequences of a military strike, Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Why we should look at things from Iran's side, Dan Gardner, The Ottawa Citizen (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] Not quite too late, The Economist (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-Israel-US] Top U.S. general in Israel to discuss Iran's nuclear program, USA Today (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan offers U.S. support on Iran, less clear elsewhere in Asia, Reuters (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-oil-China-Australia] Rudd urges China to stop buying Iran oil, Herald Sun (via CSIS)

* [Iran-China] China turns on Tehran with warning over nuclear weapons, The Montreal Gazette (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] IAEA rejects Iran accusation over scientist killing, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran warns region against "dangerous" stance on Hormuz, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-US] U.S. open to diplomacy with Iran, UPI (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums-France] Time running out for Iran diplomacy - Sarkozy, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran] 'What We Know Suggests the Development of Nuclear Weapons', Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Nuclear Iran has political goal, Alexander Aton, News-Leader.com (via CSIS)

* [Iran-US] When did the U.S. navy become the Iranian Coast Guard?, Joshua Keating, Foreign Policy (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] How the West Should Answer Iran's Nuclear Aggression, Ray Takeyh, Council on Foreign Relations (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] 'IAEA leaks Iran secret data to US', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] 'UN bodies leak info on Iran N experts', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] Iranian MPs to write to UN over nuclear assassinations, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] 'Iran must reconsider IAEA cooperation if info continues to be leaked', Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] IAEA rejects Iran accusation over scientist's killing, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Killing Iran experts, act of desperation', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China's Iran Dilemma, Minxin Pei, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] EU's toughest sanctions yet put Iran on final warning over nuclear programme, Kim Sengupta, The Independent (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Germany] Germany's Westerwelle Urges Iran to Begin 'Serious Dialogue', Nicole Gaouette and Viola Gienger, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] U.S. General Visits Israel for Discussions on Iran, Ethan Bronner, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] U.S. military chief in Israel for talks on Iran, Joel Greenberg, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] Israel's fears of a nuclear Iran, James Reynolds, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU still divided on Iran oil sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Greece] EU states to assure Greece on Iran oil ban, Sebastian Moffett and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan asks Washington to grant waiver on latest Iran oil sanctions, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia-US] US and Russia: How best to resolve Iran's nuclear puzzle?, Elkhan Nuriyev, Hurriyet Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia refunds Iran over canceled missile sale, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Mixed reactions to new sanctions on Iran, Yamei Wang, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks-EU] EU's Ashton to reiterate possibility of Iran talks, Arshad Mohammed, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Tehran-5+1 dialogue should start if West has sincere intention: Salehi, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran pursues path of dialogue with P 5+1: Diplomat, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran raps West's dialog-pressure bids, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Major powers open to serious talks with Iran, Arshad Mohammed and Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey, Iran calls on quick resumption of Iranian nuclear talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey seeks stronger ties with Iran despite Western sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] Britain revokes licence of Iran's Press TV, France 24 (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] Britain pulls plug on Iran's Press TV (Update 2), Keith Weir, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-warships] U.S. carrier to test limits of Iranian rhetoric, Phil Stewart, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Iran must show 'sincerity' for nuclear talks: US, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] 'US psywar against Iran will backfire', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-France] Time running out for Iran diplomacy: Sarkozy, John Irish and Daniel Flynn, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] U.S., Europe Trying to Provoke Armed Conflict, Iran Envoy Says, Henry Meyer, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] An Iran war is brewing from mutual ignorance and chronic miscalculation, Simon Tisdall, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] All options on table if Iran under serious threat: Khazaei, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-US] US warns against N Korea 'provocation', Agence France Presse (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korean nuclear envoy returns home after tripartite talks with U.S., Japan, Yonhap News Agency (a CSIS top story)

* [North Korea] North Korea credits new leader Kim Jong Un with past nuclear testing, Washington Post (via CSIS)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] S. Korean nuclear envoy returns home after tripartite talks with U.S., Japan, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea calls for dialogue with N. Korea amid lingering tensions, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-China] The defensive nature of China's "underground great wall", Hui Zhang, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website (via @BulletinAtomic)

* [national security-classified info] NSA says classified information found on seized hard drives; Former government employees suing for return of computers after leak investigation, Peter Hermann, front page story, Baltimore Sun

* [n-weapons] John Lauder (former CIA Nonproliferation Center Director) Joins NPEC (Nonproliferation Policy Education Center) Board of Advisors, (via @NuclearPolicy

* [n-weapons-US] How Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programs, Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina, Christian Science Monitor (via Arms Control Association)

* [n-weapons-HEU] Nuclear Summit States Look to Limit Use of HEU, Global Security Newswire (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-Pakistan-China] The limits of the Pakistan-China alliance, Lisa Curtis and Derek Scissors, Reuters (via CSIS)

January 19, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] Former Israeli Intelligence Chief Says Iran Can Build Bomb Now if it Wants, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review; title here is IAEA's - original is "US top officer heads to Israel amid conflicting views over Iranian nuclear program")

* [Iran] Beleaguered but still unbowed, The Economist (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-Russia] Russia slams push for war against Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran warns region against 'dangerous' stance on Hormuz (Wrapup 6), Tulay Karadeniz, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran warns region against "dangerous" stance on Hormuz, Ibon Villelabeitia, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran still has path to end nuclear dispute: W.House, David Alexander, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel] Israel: Any attack on Iran 'very far off', Isabel Kershner and Rick Gladstone, New York Times (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] Incidents Involving Iran's Nuclear Work, David Cutler, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] UN to probe 'military angle' to Iran nuclear drive, Agence France Presse (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] The International Atomic Energy Agency wants access to all relevant information. Your boss Amano defended his criticism of Iran: "It is my duty to alert the world.", Joachim Zepelin and Silke Mertins, Financial Times Deutschland (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] Tehran's Envoy Writes to IAEA Board Over Assassinations, Tehran Times (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-oil-sanctions] Iran warns region against 'dangerous' stance on Hormuz (wrapup-6); "Don't get dragged into dangerous stance", Iran warns; Message addressed to U.S-backed Gulf Arab oil exporters; France sees EU imposing oil sanctions on Iran on Monday, Tulay Karadeniz, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-talks] Iran Says in Touch With Powers on New Talks, U.S. Denies, Associated Press (via IAEA Daily Press Review; title here is IAEA's - original is "Iranian lawmaker: Obama proposed talks; US denies")

* [Iran-assassination] Not-So-Covert Iran War Buys Time but Raises Tension, William Maclean, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-US-Ros-Lehtinen] Talks with Iran a 'foolish waste of time': US lawmaker, Agence France Presse (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-China] China 'Completely Rejects' Iran's Development of Nuclear Weapons, Wen Says, Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Understanding Tehran's behavior, Ray Takeyh, Japan Times (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-talks] West dismisses Tehran talks claim, Financial Times (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-Israel] Dempsey to push Israel to give sanctions time, Yaakov Katz, Jerusalem Post (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-Israel] U.S. rejects Israeli view: Iran sanctions are effective, Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz (via CSIS)

* [Iran-talks] Iran Wants Nuclear Talks in Turkey, Foreign Minister Salehi Says, Emre Peker, Bloomberg (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Strait of Hormuz crisis: Will Iran close oil supply route?, Mathieu Rabechault, Middle East Online (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Russia] Iran bonds with Russia on nuclear issue, Atul Aneja, The Hindu (via CSIS)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA to press Iran over nuclear concerns, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] Worries mount over blowback of attack on Iran, Barbara Slavin, Asia Times (via CSIS)

* [Iran-sanctions] Iran sanctions won't work, Ivan Eland, Washington Times (via CSIS)

* [Iran-sanctions] The myth of an "isolated' Iran, Pepe Escobar, Asia Times (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Latin America] Iran's primary challenge, John J. Metzler, Korea Times (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] State-sponsored killing is not warfare, it is murder, Adrian Hamilton, Belfast Telegraph (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China expresses concern over rising tensions in Gulf region, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China rejects N accusations against Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China's Wen defends Iran oil, warns on nuclear aims (Update 2), Chris Buckley, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] Iranian Central Bank Said to Face Asset Freeze by 27-Nation European Union, Ewa Krukowska and Jonathan Stearns, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA's Amano Urges Iran to Open Nuclear Facilities, FTD Says, Tony Czuczka, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] Turkey insists on Iran-IAEA talks, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA to press Iran over nuclear concerns, Dana Schaefer and Marc Jones, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] Barak Says U.S. Chief Not Coming to Press Israel on Iran Strike, Calev Ben-David, Business Week (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China-Australia] Australia urges China to stop buying Iran oil: minister, Yahoo!7 News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China-Australia] Rudd warns China to stop buying Iran oil, Sky News Australia (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China] China defends oil trade with Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan seeks exception on Iran sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan likely to cut Iran imports in 3 mths, industry head (Update 2), Osamu Tsukimori and Stanley White, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Russia-EU] Russia warns against EU proposal of oil embargo on Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea-Israel] Israeli expert urges S. Korea to reduce imports of Iranian oil, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Iran promises to study Russia's proposals over nuclear issue, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] 'Iran, Russia in consensus on intl. issues', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] US meets resistance to Iranian sanctions, Ardeshir Ommani, Asia Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran's UN Envoy Says Closing Strait of Hormuz Is an Option If Threatened, Peter Hirschberg, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Turkey offers to host Iran nuclear talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Turkey, Iran calls on quick resumption of Iranian nuclear talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran Asks EU to Determine Time and Place for Nuclear Talks, Emre Peker and Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Turkey best venue for P5+1 talks: Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] All sides willing to resume Iran nuclear talks-Turkey, Ece Toksabay, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UN] 'UN must stop being West handmaiden', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] US: No special preparations to deal with Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] On Iran, U.S. Needs More Clarity, Alan Elsner, Huffington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] U.S. open to diplomacy with Iran, UPI (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-talks] Foreign ministers of S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold talks on N. Korea, Yonhap (via CSIS)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] Foreign ministers of S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan and U.S. to hold talks over DPRK issues, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-submarines] Battle for Control of Asia's Seas Goes Underwater, Eric Talmadge, ABC News (a CSIS top story)

* [n-weapons-missile defense-Russia-US] Lavrov Warns U.S. on Missile Deal, Nikoulas von Twickel, Moscow Times (a CSIS top story)

* [n-weapons-India-Pakistan] Jittery about Pakistan's tactical nukes, India admits to and refines 'Cold Start', Rupee News (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-India] Indian Army Chief: Nukes Not For Warfighting, Hans Kristensen, FAS Strategic Security blog (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-Russia-US] RF, US not on threshold of arms race, Lavrov says, Itar-Tass (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-antinuclear] Idaho's Snake River Alliance to mark anniversary of nuclear bomb tests with vigil next week, Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Japan-history-WWII] Panel concludes hard to expand A-bomb 'black rain' area due to lack of data, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-missile defense-Russia] Lavrov Warns U.S. on Missile Deal, Nikolaus von Twickel, Moscow Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-submarines] Battle for control of Asia's seas goes underwater, Tokyo Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-info] DoE Seeks to Amend Atomic Energy Act to Reclassify Certain Data, Anthony Kimery, Homeland Security Today (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons] Disarmament conf. due to hold first 2012 public plenary, Kuwait News Agency (via Nevada ANP)

January 18, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel-US] Barak Says U.S. Army Chief Won't Press Israel on Iran Strike, Calev Ben-David, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] On Iran, sanctions are not the answer, John Bolton, USA TODAY

* [Iran-wardrums] Military action against Iran? Don't miscalculate, USA TODAY editorial (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] The top 5 U.S. misconceptions on Iran, Hooman Majd, Politico (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] The Flawed Logic of Striking Iran; Handle it Like North Korea Instead, Alexandre Debs and Nuno P. Monteiro, Foreign Affairs (via IAEA DAily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] Not Time to Attack Iran, Colin H. Kahl, Foreign Affairs (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel] As Powers Maneuver, Israel Says No Decision Yet to Attack Iran, New York Times (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel] Barak says Israeli decision on Iran strike remains 'far off', Washington Post (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel] Barak: Israeli attack on Iran 'far away', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-Russia] Iran nuclear: Russia's Lavrov warns against attack, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-Russia] Russia warns attack on Iran could unleash 'chain reaction,' criticizes further sanctions, Washington Post (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] After Nuke Scientist's Murder, Iranian Students Switch Majors to Nuclear Sciences: Official, Lee Ferran, ABC News (via IAEA Daily Press Review and CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran Tightens Its Security for Scientists After Killing, New York Times (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran boosts security for all in nuclear field, Agence France Presse (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination-Israel-US] Iran sues CIA, Mossad, MI6 for assassination of scientists, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran urges measures to end terror acts, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Spy agencies link terrorists, intl. bodies', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Assassination, euphemism for terrorism, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] IPPNW condemns assassination of scientists: report, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA to visit Iran at end of January, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA Team to Visit Iran for Talks on Nuclear Program, Mehr Says, Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA to visit Iran January 29-31, Agence France Presse (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA Inspectors Due in Iran This Month, FARS News Agency (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-Japan] U.S. Envoy Einhorn Says Japan Agrees on Need to Increase Pressure on Iran, Sachiko Sakamaki and Andy Sharp, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU set to implement Iran oil embargo, Herald Sun (via CSIS)

* [Iran-oil-India] India to continue buying oil from Iran despite U.S. sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India Still Buying Oil From Iran Amid U.S. Sanctions It Opposes, Abhijit Roy Chowdhury and Rakteem Katakey, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan to cut Iranian oil imports, but concerned about sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] U.S. steps up pressure on Japan to cut Iran oil imports, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] A toxic Iranian ménage à trois, Anno Bunnik, Hurriyet Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] Israel admits that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program, Amos Harel, Global Research (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] S Korea faces U.S. pressure over anti-Iran sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Sri Lanka] Sri Lanka: No fuel shortage due to U.S. oil sanctions on Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China 'Completely Rejects' Iran's Development of Nuclear Weapons, Wen Says, Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Kremlin Walks a High Wire on Iran's Nuclear Program, James Brooke, Voice of America (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-Russia] Lavrov condemns sanctions against Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia warns sanctions can derail talks with Iran, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia defies West, US on Iran and Syria crises, Hurriyet Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia opposes military strikes, sanctions against Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Iran nuclear official in Moscow for talks, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-Russia] Lavrov slams Iran sanctions as grueling, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-Russia] Russia: New sanctions against Iran too stifling, CBS News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran to block Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. threats: ambassador, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran says it is in touch with powers on new talks, EU denies, Reuters (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-talks] Iran says ready for nuclear talks with world powers: FM, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iranian FM suggests nuclear talks be held in Istanbul, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran Wants Nuclear Talks in Turkey, Foreign Minister Salehi Says, Emre Peker, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Salehi: Istanbul may be venue of Iran-G5+1 nuclear talks, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] 'Iran set for talks despite terror bid', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran says negotiations under way to hold new nuclear, Tulay Karadeniz, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Iran's Salehi visits Turkey for nuclear talks, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Factbox: Incidents involving Iran's nuclear work, David Cutler, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] The Iran Deterrence Debate, Jayshee Bajoria, Council on Foreign Relations (via CSIS)

* [Iran-sanctions-Israel-US] U.S. rejects Israeli assessment that Iran sanctions are ineffective, Natasha Mozgovaya, Ha'aretz Daily (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'US sanction on Iran, act of aggression', Interview with Mohammad Marandi, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran: Talks with P5+1 may be in Turkey, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran says in touch with powers on new talks, EU denies it, Robin Pomeroy and Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea talks] U.S., allies say North Korea welcome to resume nuclear talks, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [North Korea talks] Path for dialogue with N. Korea open: allies, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea talks] Path open to N. Korea for dialogue: U.S. and allies, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] Japan, S. Korea, U.S. to explore early ministerial talks on N. Korea, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-US] DPRK accuses U.S. of posing nuclear threat to world, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP and CSIS)

* [North Korea] US, allies plot next steps on post-Kim N.Korea, Agence France Presse (via CSIS)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-Pakistan-India] AQ Khan and India: So What?, Joshua Pollock, Arms Control Wonk (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-materials security] Negotiators agree to minimize civilian use of HEU ahead of nuclear summit, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP and IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons] Project Update: Improving the Assessment of Proliferation Risk of Nuclear Fuel Cycles, NAS (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-n-materials security] India rejects US think tank report on nuclear safety, Press Trust of India (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

January 17, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] All Unclear on Nuclear, Pierre Klochendler, Inter Press Service (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] UK warns Iran of military action over nuclear programme, Pakistan Observer (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Israel 'waging covert war on Iran', Anne Barker, ABC (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] The War With Iran Will Not Be One-Sided. Should World War III break out, it would differ from World Wars I and II, Sandhya Jain, Global Research (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Not Another War, Please!, Dr. Charles G. Cogan, Huffington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Who is responsible for U.S.-Iran tensions? Sanctions and spy operation memos increase friction, Al Jazeera (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] NPR Ombudsman On Iran Nuclear Program: 'Shorthand References Are Often Dangerous', Ali Gharib, Think Progress (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran Doesn't Deserve Any More Chances, Elisha Maldonado, International Business Times (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums-China] China's Dilemma on Iran; Is the threat of an Israeli air strike leading Beijing to consider other sources of energy?, Max Fisher, The Atlantic (a CSIS top story; also highlighted by Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-Germany] Most Germans against Iran attack: Poll, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-Russia] Russia Warns ... against Military Strike on Iran, FARS News Agency (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] UAE, Iraq call for end to Strait of Hormuz tension, Al-Arabiya (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-UN] UN sanctions on Iran run counter to international law, academics say, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China] China Dismisses US Pressures against Oil Trade with Iran, FARS News Agency, Iran (highlighted by CSIS)

* [Iran-oil-Arabs] Iran warns of consequences if Arabs back oil sanctions, Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-oil-India] India buys Iran oil; won't ask US-sanctions waiver, Rakesh Sharma, Marketwatch (via CSIS)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] Buy Less Iranian Oil, US Tells South Korea, RTT News

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] U.S. Presses South Korea to Reduce Oil Imports from , Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-oil-EU] Iran: Oil embargo is "economic suicide" for EU, Associated Press

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU discussing plan to start Iran oil ban on July 1, Justyna Pawlak and Julien Toyer, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'Iran oil ban, economic suicide for EU', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India: No US waiver needed for Iran oil, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India says continuing to buy oil from Iran, Pratap Chakravarty, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] Will continue to buy oil from Iran: India to US, Jayanth Jacob, Hindustan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Saudi] Iran calls on Saudi to reconsider oil compensation offer, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] U.S. Official in Seoul for Talks on Iran Sanctions, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] S. Korean economy faces tough external conditions: minister, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] U.S. calls on S. Korea to reduce purchase of Iranian oil, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] US urges S Korea to cut Iran oil purchase, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] US urges South Korea to cut Iranian oil imports, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] Korea to reduce oil imports from Iran in steps, Song Sang-ho, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] Iran envoy urges Korea to follow own interests, Philip Iglauer, Korea Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] US presses Seoul to cut Iranian oil, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] US putting pressure on S Korea to join Iran sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-Saudi-Israel-Pakistan] Iran's Bomb and Pakistan, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Express Tribune (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-China] China is pivotal in Iran-U.S. dispute over nuclear weapons, Tom Lasseter and Kevin G. Hall McClatchy Newspapers (via CSIS)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA to visit Iran January 29-31, Agence France Presse

* [Iran-IAEA] U.N. nuclear monitors to visit Iran end-January, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA team of experts to visit Iran late January: official, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] Envoy: IAEA inspectors visit to Iran prove peaceful nuclear activity, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA delegation expected in Iran in Jan., Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] Nuclear Iran may curb Israeli border wars -general, Dan Williams, Reuters (also highlighted by Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] Report: U.S. Warns Israel Against Iran Attack, Beyonce Perry press release

* [Iran-Obama] Iran Face-Off Testing Obama the Candidate, Mark Landler, New York Times front page (via CSIS)

* [Iran-EU] Iran cautions EU on acting as US client, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] IRI welcomes G5+1's willingness for talks, IRIBNews Agency (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran welcomes P5+1 talks in Turkey, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] US, not Iran, is to blame, Sandya Jain, The Pioneer (India) (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian Nuclear Scientists: Is Israel Behind the Assassinations?, Palash R. Ghosh, International Business Times

* [Iran-assassination] Suspects Arrested Over Iran Nuke Scientist Death, Agence France Presse (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran's nuclear scientists are not being assassinated. They are being murdered; Killing our enemies abroad is just state-sponsored terror - whatever euphemism western leaders like to use, Mehdi Hasan, The Guardian (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Nuclear killings show West bankruptcy', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Iran wants assassins brought to justice', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] 'Iran enrichment move low, but West at fault too', RT (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea] Time for a peaceful Peninsula, Sun Ru, China Daily (via CSIS)

* [North Korea] Kim Jong Il's Eldest Son Predicts Failure for North Korea, Akiko Fujita, ABC News

* [North Korea] Will North Korea Attempt a China-Style Opening?; Probably not under Kim Jong Un, but a Deng Xiaoping-style reformer could be around the corner, Jonathan Levine, The Atlantic

* [North Korea] Report: Kim Jong Un won't 'last long,' half brother says; Kim Jong Il's eldest son also says North Korea's new leader has traveled to Japan in the past using a 'fake Brazilian passport', MSNBC

* [North Korea] Top official dismisses concerns about Kim Jong Un, Jean S. Lee, Associated Press (via CSIS)

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea renews hope for talks with N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-US] Problematizing the Section 1251 Report, Eli Jacobs, Center for Strategic and International Studies' ponibloggers' blog

* [n-weapons-Russia-US] U.S. Plans Arms Control Talks in 2012, Reuters (via CSIS, this was their top story today)

* [n-weapons-Russia] Favorable Conditions Needed for Additional Nuclear Arms Cuts: Russia, Global Security Newswire (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-Sherpas] Draft communique prepared for Seoul Nuclear Summit, Press Trust of India

* [n-weapons-Sherpas] Sherpas consider draft communique for Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, NetIndian News Network (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-design info] Dept of Energy Wants to Reclassify Some Info as "Restricted Data", Steven Aftergood, FAS' Secrecy News blog

* [n-weapons-India] Let's clear the atomic cloud, Hindustan Times editorial (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-US-antinuclear] Nuclear Calendar Update, FCNL (via Nevada ANP)

January 16, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums] For the sake of avoiding all-out war with Iran, give Tehran another peek at a different future, Jeffrey Goldberg, Bloomberg (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] Herding Americans to War with Iran, Robert Parry, Consortium News

* [Iran-wardrums] Preventing a Nuclear Iran, Peacefully, Shibley Telhami and Steven Kull, New York Times

* [Iran-assassination] Iran sends rare letter to U.S. over killed scientist, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination-UK] 'Britain behind Iran assassinations', Press TV

* [Iran-assassination] Iran to refer terror cases to intl. bodies, Press TV

* [Iran-assassination] Iran arrests several over assassination of academic: Larijani, Tehran Times

* [Iran-assassination] Iran to Give 'Firm' Reply to Scientist Murder, Ladane Nasseri and Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg

* [Iran-assassination] Iran makes arrests in killing of nuclear scientist, AP Google

* [Iran-Israel-US] Israeli vice PM slams Obama for failure to further sanction Iran, Xinhua News

* [Iran-Israel-US] US's Iran policy not harsh enough: Israel, Press TV

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] US diplomats to hold talks in Seoul on Iran sanctions, Korea Times

* [Iran-oil] Iran warns Gulf States over potential oil embargo, Xinhua News

* [Iran-sanctions-Philippines] Philippines seeks consideration in U.S. sanctions vs. Iran, Xinhua News

* [Iran-sanctions] Israeli PM says current sanctions on Iran won't stop its nuclear program, Xinhua News

* [Iran-talks] West skeptical of Iranian nuclear cooperation, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-US] Obama's olive branch to Iran turned into sanctions hammer, Tabassum Zakaria and Caren Bohan, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Accidental Hormuz Clash Is Bigger Risk Than Closure, PFC Says, Grant Smith, Bloomberg (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran says U.S. unable to stop Iran from shutting Strait of Hormuz: commander, Xinhua News

* [Iran] Iran to use all means to defend integrity, Press TV

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-US-food] U.S. says no nuclear link with North Korea food talks, Sui-Lee Wee, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korean envoy heads to Washington for three-way talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea's nuclear envoy to attend trilateral talks on DPRK, Xinhua News

* [North Korea] AP opens full news bureau in North Korea, Mainichi Daily News

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-Russia sub fire] Repair, modernization of fire-damaged sub may cost $30 mln, Andrei Pronin, Ria Novosti (via Nevada ANP)

January 15, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums] 'No plans' for Western military action on Syria, Iran, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Obama ready to give Iran strike order', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Iran war: Clocking down to doomsday', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-Santorum] Santorum: US should have 'kept mouth shut' on Iran scientist killing, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] IAEA 'inspectors' abet terrorists, IRIB News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran N-scientists killed by Mossad: Time, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Iran will respond to nuclear killings', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] US ban on firm with Iran ties irks China, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] Iran nuclear issue unrelated to energy cooperation, China says, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] UK's Hague confident new EU Iran sanctions coming, Adrian Croft, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] US, Israel in open rift over Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] Israel calls for tougher Iran sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Israel] 'Israel, bad boy planted in ME by West', Tehran Times, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China] China angry at US sanctions on oil firm Zhuhai Zhenrong, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China] China hits back at US oil sanctions, Kathrin Hille, Financial Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China] China denounces U.S. sanctions on company dealing with Iran (Update 1), Chris Buckley, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Italy] 'Backing Iran sanctions harms Italy', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan not ready for Iran oil sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iran oil sanctions divide Asia's four largest economies, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iran Asks Arabs to Withhold Support From Any EU Oil Embargo, Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iran warns of consequences if Arabs back oil sanctions (Wrapup 1), Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Oil prices, Iran are increasingly sources of concern, Steven Mufson, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Persian Gulf] US Military Officials Complain of Iranian Vessels Harassing US Navy in Persian Gulf, John Glaser, antiwar.com (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] UK FM: Sanctions fail to stop Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran confirms receiving US Hormuz letter, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] UK musters all strength against Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-South Korea-US] S. Korean envoy heads to Washington for three-way talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-India] 'Nuclear-capable Agni-V to be tested soon', IANS/IBNLive (via @nuclearnewsbot)

* [n-weapons-India-n-materials security] India scores low on nuclear security: US study, Economic Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India] Nukes are for strategic purposes only: Army chief, Hindustan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Israel-n-materials security] Israel flunks nuclear safety test, but ranks above Iran and North Korea, Amir Oren, Ha'aretz Daily (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-smuggling] Illicit Trafficking of Nuke Materials Documented: Interpol Chief, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Summit] Toward the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-testing-France-French Polynesia] Tahiti test veterans dismayed at Tong Sang's changed stance, Radio New Zealand (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UK] MoD drawing up plans to withdraw Trident from Scotland, The Scotsman (via Nevada ANP)

January 14, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums] Interview with Joshua Blakeney: 'US, Israel waging Cold War against Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Iran war: Next on Washington agenda', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Beating the Drums of War: Provoking Iran into "Firing the First Shot", Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'US prepping facilities for Israel attack on Iran', Jerusalem Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Military attack on Iran imponderable', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian supreme leader blames U.S., Israel for scientist's death, CNN (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Interview with Sara Flounders: 'US is liable for scientists murder', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian students slam scientist killing, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Iran scientist murder out of despair', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] IAEA to blame for Iran scientist murder, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] FM Spokesman: Ahmadi's assassination case to be investigated, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'US, Israel back terrorists in Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'N-assassination shows West despair', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Students stage anti-terror rally in Tehran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran will protect scientists from terrorists, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran sends rare letter to U.S. over killed scientist, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] 'Sanctions won't hinder Iran-China trade', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA inspectors likely to visit Iran on Jan. 28: report?, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA inspectors to visit Iran, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] U.S. Balances Relationship With Israel as Tensions Rise Over Iran Policy, Nicole Gaouette and Viola Gienger, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] 'Mossad agents have been posing as CIA', Jerusalem Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] 'CIA, Mossad at loggerheads over Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] 'Intl. bodies ignore Israeli terrorism', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] 'Oil ban, blow to Europe ailing economy', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Iran oil embargo to be delayed six months, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan yet to decide on Iran oil cutoff, Noda says, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iran says not storing oil in Gulf due to sanctions, Mitra Amiri, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Pakistan] Pakistan urges diplomacy on Iran N-case, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] 'Russia will not brook attack on Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey-Syria] Iran, Turkey serious about helping to resolve Syria crisis, Tehran says, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK-US] UK war activists to picket US embassy, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] UK's covert war or terrorism?, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Ukraine] Ukraine urges to solve problem of Iran nuclear program through negotiations, APA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-sanctions] Factbox: What next for Congress on Iran sanctions?, Susan Cornwell, Timothy Gardner and Roberta Rampton, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-South Korea] N. Korea vows to make S. Korea pay 'dearest price' for hurting leaders' dignity, Yonhap (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea] North Korea denies punishment of ‘insincere mourners’, Agence France Presse (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea] Why We Need Detente With North Korea, Bennett Ramberg, The New Republic (via @NKoreaReports)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-Hiroshima] Hiroshima mayor vows to step up moves to eradicate nuclear weapons, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-n-material security] India scores low on N-security: US study, Economic Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Iran-assassination] Ethics of scientists are 'crucial', Professor Colin Blakemore, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UK] U.K. Examines Plans to Move Nuclear Fleet From Scotland, FT Says, Nicholas Larkin, Bloomberg (via @CustosDivini; also highlighted by Nevada ANP)

January 13, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums] A covert campaign is the only way to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions, Andrew Cummings, The Guardian (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] Anti-US chants as slain Iran nuclear expert buried, Ali Akbar Dareini, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Enemy targeting Iran progress', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'Sketchy IAEA report sets stage for war', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'US, Israel launch proxy war against Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] 'Mossad agents have been posing as CIA'; Foreign Policy report claims US officials "infuriated" by Mossad operations that "endanger US lives", Jerusalem Post

* [Iran-Israel] Israel struggles with threat from Iran, Hamish McDonald, Sydney Morning Herald (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Israel] 'Israel cannot halt Iran's N-program', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-Israel] What the hell is going on between the United States and Israel on Iran?, Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Policy (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-Israel] 'US, Israel try to hinder Iran's progress', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-Strait of Hormuz] U.S. uses secret channel to warn Iran's supreme leader against closure of strait: report, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Madness Reigns with Obama's Threats to Iran, Dave Lefcourt, OpEdNews (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Iran and the U.S. need a way to communicate, David Ignatius, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] US turns screws on firms selling to Iran, Ruth Pollard, Casey Weekly

* [Iran] The "war of nerves" in the Persian Gulf, Ria Novosti (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Russia sees new Western pressure on Iran as regime-change attempt, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] 'Iran will not give up on N-program', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Gen. McCaffrey: Iran will have 'a dozen' nukes within 5 years, Geneva Sands-Sadowitz, The Hill (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Former IAEA official questions Iran evidence, Julian Borger, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] 'Iran sanctions, bid for regime change', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Iran clerics urge unity as nuclear scientist buried (WRAPUP 2), Mitra Amiri and Robin Pomeroy, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] West sceptical of Iranian nuclear cooperation, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] George Mitchell on the Iran Crisis, Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic (via CSIS and Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Opinion: Nuclear arms charge against Iran no slam dunk, Robert Kelley, Today's Zaman (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Iran nuclear sites may be beyond reach of "bunker busters", Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Dangerous Tension With Iran, NYT (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Pressure on Tehran ups the stakes, Paul McGeough, Sydney Morning Herald (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Iran Is A Year From Bomb Material - Former Inspector, Reuters (a CSIS top story; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination-Israel] Is Assassinating Iranian Nuclear Scientists 'Characteristic of the Mossad'?, John Glaser, antiwar.com (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-Israel] 'Israel did not assassinate Iran scientist', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-Israel] Israeli Secret Ops: Former Head of Special Unit Explains How It's Done, Dan Ephron, Daily Beast (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran holds funeral for nuclear scientist killed in bomb attack, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] US denies involvement in death of Iranian scientist, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Terrorism, sabotage not the way to go, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian nuclear scientist's assassination, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Killing Nuclear Scientists, Binoy Kampmark, CounterPunch (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran Signals Revenge Over Killing of Scientist, Rick Gladstone, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] US Rep.: Death of Iran experts wonderful, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran to file suit over acts of terror, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Attacks on scientists to be condemned: U.N. chief, Patrick Worsnip, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Nuclear Assassinations Just the Tip of the Iceberg, Dr. Ismail Salami for Salem-News.com, Salem-News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Why Iran Assassinations Are Backfiring, Aiding Nuclear Program, Omid Memarian, Daily Beast (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Killing Iranian Nuclear Scientists is Counterproductive and Wrong, Ali Vaez and Charles Ferguson, The Atlantic (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] Costs of killing Iran's nuclear scientists, Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist (via CSIS and IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran Says Scientist's Murder Reveals Global Terror Campaign, Bloomberg (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-talks] Iran says it wants serious nuclear talks, AP (a CSIS top story; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-talks] Iran positive for holding nuclear talks in Turkey: Larijani, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] Iran to Let In U.N. Atomic Inspectors, Jay Solomon, WSJ (subscription required) (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] Senior U.N. team to visit Iran this month: sources, Fredrick Dahl, Reuters (via CSIS and IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA inspectors due in Iran in January, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA Said to Agree to Meeting With Iran, Jonathan Tirone and Thomas Penny, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] Ashton Rejects Military Action against Iran, FARS (via CSIS)

* [Iran-EU] EU wants stronger sanctions against Iran, not military action: Danish FM, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] EU seeks to delay Iran oil sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Iran Oil Embargo Over Nuclear Work Said Likely to Be Delayed Six Months, Thomas Penny and Ewa Krukowska, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India to continue oil trade with Iran despite US sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan wary of oil embargo on Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan policy on reducing Iran oil in doubt (Update 4), Stanley White, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan agrees to reduce oil imports from Iran, Chico Harlan,, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-sanctions] US imposes sanctions on oil firms trading with Iran, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan Delays Decision on Iran Oil Sanctions, NYT (via CSIS)

* [Iran-India-China] India, China not to bend to US pressure over reducing Iran's oil revenue, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-India] 'India not after US waiver for Iran trade', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Japan-France] Japan, France agree to step up cooperation on Iran, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Pakistan] Pakistan respects Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Iran nuclear expert buried as Russia warns on sanctions, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] No reason to intensify sanctions against Iran: Russian official, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia warns EU over Iran oil sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-Japan-France] Japan, France divided on extent of sanctions on Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey not to comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran: spokesman, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey defies US over Iran sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] UK's Iran stance, 'humiliating idiocy', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-talks] Three-way talks to focus on N. Korea nukes, UPI (a CSIS top story)

* [North Korea] N. Korea ranked worst in nuclear materials security, Yonhap (via CSIS)

* [North Korea] Korea, US stand firm against NK's 'provocation': FM, Korea Times (via CSIS)

* [North Korea-talks] Six-way talks no longer workable: Reiss, Yonhap (via CSIS)

* [North Korea] What not to do about North Korea, Victor Cha, The Diplomat (via CSIS)

* [North Korea] Let them eat yellowcake, Economist (via CSIS)

* [North Korea] Cloudy outlook for peninsula, Yim Sung-joon, Korea Times(via CSIS)

* [North Korea] NKorea signals it's open to US disarmament deal, AP, (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [North Korea-missiles] N. Korea test-fired 3 short-range missiles this week: Japan newspaper, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-talks] Reiss: Six-way talks no longer workable, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-US-Russia] U.S., Russia arms negotiators plan stability talks, Reuters (a CSIS top story)

* [n-weapons-Pakistan] US confident about safety of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, Economic Times (via CSIS and Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Pakistan] Could There Be a U.S.-Pakistan Cold War?, Media Watch (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-Russia] Russian Nuclear Security Remains a Problem, Moscow Times (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-India] India to hold global Nuclear meet, India Today (via CSIS and IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-CTB] Nuke Test Ban Treaty Not Yet Within Reach, IDN (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-CTB ratifier #156-Guatamala] Guatemala ratifies UN-backed treaty banning nuclear tests, UN News Centre (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-US] Obama Team Reveals Nuclear Trade, Nonproliferation Decision on Capitol Hill, Global Security Newswire (via CSIS and IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-materials security] Nuclear risks and ranks, David E. Hoffman, Foreign Policy (via CSIS and IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-export control violation] NRC Fines California Firm $7,000 for Import and Distribution Violations, NRC (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-n-material security] India rates low in N-safety index, Hindustan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] Russia to hand over nuclear sub to India in January, Ria Novosti (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India] Second nuclear submarine headed for year-end launch, S. Anandan, The Hindu (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-n-material security] NTI Launches Nuclear Materials Security Index, NTI (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UK] 'Bring N-subs back' call in Scots self-rule debate, Cornish Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-WWII-Japan-black rain] Courts find black rain from A-bomb was more far-reaching than gov't acknowledged, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

January 12, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-UN Security Council] UN SC holds urgent consultations on Iran nuclear issue, Itar-Tass (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Military Leaders Urge Action on Energy Security to Counter Iran's Sustained Efforts to Rattle Oil Markets; SAFE Releases Intelligence Report outlining state-of-play and policy options to respond to Iran, Securing America's Energy Future (SAFE) press release

* [Iran] Iran's nuclear power: the world must prepare for the inevitable to happen, David Blair, The Telegraph (via CSIS; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Is Iran-Nuke Fear Realistic?, Charles V. Pentildea, Middle East Online (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Iranian students to stage protest rallies before French, German, British embassies in Tehran: report, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Iran "year from" bomb material: former inspector, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] To attack Iran or not to attack Iran..., Michael Auslin, AEI

* [Iran-wardrums] US, Israel taking a risky path over Iran, Scott Shane, Sydney Morning Herald (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran crisis: Can conflict be averted?, Jonathan Marcus, BBC News (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] A covert campaign is the only way to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions, Andrew Cummings, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Adversaries of Iran Said to Be Stepping Up Covert Actions, Scott Shane, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran nuclear sites may be beyond reach of "bunker busters", Dan Williams, Phil Stewart and Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran Reports Killing of Nuclear Scientist in 'Terrorist' Blast, Alan Cowell and Rick Gladstone, New York Times (also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian scientist involved in nuclear program killed in Tehran bomb attack, Thomas Erdbrink and Joby Warrick, Washington Post (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-assassination] Report: Bomb kills university professor working at Iran nuclear facility, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran hard-line newspaper calls for retaliation against Israel over killing of nuclear expert, Washington Post (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] On Iran, how far is too far?, Los Angeles Times editorial (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-assassination] Who's killing Iranian nuclear scientists?, Josh Levs, CNN (via CSIS; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] U.S. Denies Role in Iranian Nuclear Scientist's Death, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination] Bomb Kills Iran Nuclear Scientist as Crisis Mounts, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination] AEOI Calls Iran's Move towards Progress Irreversible, FARS (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-assassination-China] China opposes all violence: FM spokesman, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-Hezbollah] Hezbollah raps Iranian scientist killing, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-US] Clinton denies U.S. role in assassination of Iranian nuclear staff, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Covert actions used against Iran by Israel, U.S., instead of overt strike: experts, Al-Arabiya (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'US, Israel backed Iran scientist killing', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Anti-Iran terror acts, West's new tactic', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'US words defy its acts on Iran scientists', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian Ambassador to UN on Tehran terror attack, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Who is responsible for the Iran nuclear scientists attacks?, Julian Borger, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Analyst holds US, Israel responsible for scientist's assassination, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] US: We Didn't Kill Scientist; Iran: We Know Who Did, David Lev, Arutz Sheva (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Editorial Cartoon: Attacks on Iranian Nuclear Scientists, Patrick Chappatte, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] UK, Israel 'share' Iran terror agenda?, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Leader: CIA, Mossad behind Iran killing, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Jalili: CIA, Mossad behind Iran assassinations, Anderson Independent Mail, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Assassinations won't stop Iran nuclear work: Larijani, Tulay Karadeniz and Ibon Villelabeitia, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China calls for cooperation between Iran and IAEA, MSN News (via CSIS)

* [Iran-China] China Calls for Cooperation Between Iran and IAEA, AFP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] AJC Welcomes Japan Pledge to Cut Iran Oil Imports, American Jewish Committee press release

* [Iran-oil-Japan-South Korea-India-EU] Iran embargo gathers support in Asia and Europe, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan to cut Iranian oil imports under U.S. sanctions, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Russia] Russia warns EU over Iran oil sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-US-China] U.S. sanctions China state energy trader for Iran sales, Andrew Quinn, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] Iranian oil imports to be cut to aid U.S. pressure: Azumi, Jun Hongo, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil] In Standoff With Iran, U.S. Allies Offer Oil for Asia, Clifford Krauss, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia calls for dialogue and cooperation on Iran nuclear issue, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia worried about a nuclear Iran, but leery of US sanctions, Fred Weir, CSM (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia Opposes Oil Sanctions Against Iran, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey hopes diplomatic settlement of Iran nuclear dispute, Middle East Online (via CSIS)

* [Iran-IAEA] Senior U.N. team to visit Iran this month: sources, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-EU] Further sanctions against Iran undecided: EU spokesman, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-Turkey] Turkey rejects US led Sanctions on Iran?, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-South Korea] U.S. delegation to visit S. Korea over sanctions on Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey willing to improve relations with Iran despite resistance: parliament speaker, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Iran nuclear: Ali Larijani accepts Turkey talks offer, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Pentagon plays down U.S.-Iran tension, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] U.S. military moves carriers, denies Iran link, Phil Steward, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-talks] Iran ready for 'serious' nuclear talks with powers, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran is ready for serious talks with 5+1 Group: Larijani, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Larijani: P5+1 views Iran talks as tool, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea] As young leader rises, NKorea signals it’s open to deal with US but wary of giving up nukes, Washington Post (via CSIS)

* [North Korea] Bringing Kim in from the cold, Kevin Rafferty, Japan Times (via CSIS; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [North Korea] N. Korea ranked worst in nuclear materials security, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea] North Korea Open to Talks on Nuclear Program, Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea] Three-way talks to focus on N. Korea nukes, UPI (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan set for talks over N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Chief nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan meet, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Top Nuclear Envoys from S. Korea, Japan Meet, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Japanese, S Korean Nuclear Envoys Hold N Korea Talks, VOA News (via CSIS)

* [North Korea-talks] (Yonhap Interview) Six-way talks no longer workable: Reiss, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [missile defense-Poland] U.S. Likely to Press On With Missile Defense in Poland, Martin Sobczyk, Wall Street Jrl (a CSIS top story)

* [n-weapons-Pakistan] Pentagon: No assurances against Pakistan coup, Robert Burns, Denver Post (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-Pakistan] Pakistani Jailed for 3 Years in US on Nuclear Charges, AFP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-n-material security index] New Study Ranks Countries on Security of Materials That Fuel Nuclear Arms, William J. Broad, New York Times (a CSIS top story; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-n-material security index] World's nuclear stockpiles are not secure: Study, AFP(via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-material security-Canada] Canada lags in nuclear security, Bradley Bouzane, Montreal Gazette (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-materials security] Report finds nuclear materials far from secure, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US] Plan for new Navy wharf fires up nuke debate, Kyung M. Song, Seattle Times (via CSIS; also highlighted by IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-movie] Nuclear Weapons in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Eli Jacobs, CSIS

January 11, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-wardrums] The war with Iran has already begun, Con Coughlin, Daily Telegraph blog (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] Iran and the undeclared campaign, Frank Gardner, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] 'US builds Georgia facilities for Iran war', RTT News, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Rejects West's Concerns Over its Underground Plant; Iran's envoy to the IAEA says the West's reactions to the Fordo underground nuclear plant are politically motivated, Elad Benari, Arutz Sheva (Israel National News)

* [Iran-enrichment] Clinton denounces Iran's enrichment operations at new facility, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] 'West response to Fordo exaggerated', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Enrichment at Secured Nuclear Site Draws U.S., France Anger, Nicole Gaouette and Flavia Krause-Jackson, Bloomberg (via NEI email)

* [Iran-enrichment] Clinton slams Iran nuclear move, urges serious talks, Andrew Quinn, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran-assassination] Blaming U.S. and Israel, Iran Reports Killing of Nuclear Scientist, Alan Cowell and Rick Gladstone, New York Times

* [Iran-assassination] Bombing Kills Iranian Nuclear Scientist, Voice of America

* [Iran-assassination] Another Iranian nuclear scientist killed: part of 'covert war'? Tehran blamed the death of Iranian nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, deputy director at the Natanz enrichment facility, on the US and Israel, Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor

* [Iran-assassination] Another Iranian Nuclear Scientist Assassinated, and What it Means, Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic

* [Iran-assassination] Iran nuclear scientist dead: mysterious recent deaths and disappearances, David Blair, The Telegraph (UK)

* [Iran-assassination] Bomb kills Iran nuclear scientist; US presses sanctions (Wrapup 1), Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters Africa (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran atom agency calls bombing "heinous act", Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran says Israel behind assassinating Iranian nuclear staff, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Mossad, MKO killed Iranian scientist', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iran car explosion 'kills nuclear scientist' in Tehran, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian Nuclear Scientist Killed in New Attack, Ladane Nasseri and Calev Ben-David, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Blaming U.S. and Israel, Iran Reports Killing of Nuclear Scientist, Alan Cowell and Rick Gladstone, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Acts of terror not curbing Iran progress', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] Iranian scientist involved in nuclear program killed in Tehran bomb attack, Thomas Erdbrink, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran-Nicaragua] Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomed by Nicaragua president Daniel Ortega; ... Ortega on Tuesday urged Israel to destroy its nuclear weapons to foster peace in the Middle East as he hosted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is touring Latin America, The telegraph (UK)

* [Iran-Nicaragua] Nicaragua's Ortega urges Israel to destroy nuclear arms, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Embarrassing U.S. rescues and Russian doubts a few of the ways Iran is coming under increased pressure, National Post (Canada)

* [Iran] Nuclear Arms Charge Against Iran Is No Slam Dunk, Robert Kelley, Bloomberg (via Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran-China] China calls for enhanced diplomatic efforts on Iran nuclear issue, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China recognizes Iran's right to have active nuclear installations, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China rebuffs US over Iran sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] US Treasury chief presses China on Iran oil imports, Claire Cozens, AFP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-China] Geithner in Beijing, faces uphill struggle on Iran, Joe McDonald, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-China] China calls for cooperation between Iran and IAEA, Agence France Presse (via Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran-sanctions-China] Could impact of Iran sanctions prove slippery? The US seems unlikely to retaliate against one of its biggest trading partners - China has defied previous US sanctions without significant consequences, Kevin Allison, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-oil-China] Geithner finds Chinese resistant to Iran oil sanctions, Keith B. Richburg,, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Said to Weigh Iran Oil Embargo Exemptions for Member States, Ewa Krukowska and Jonathan Stearns, Bloomberg (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] Senior UN nuclear team to visit Iran, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA to send inspectors to Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-IAEA] UN nuclear inspectors to visit Iran 'soon,' IAEA official says, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-IAEA] Iran should work within IAEA's parameters: SM Krishna, The Times of India (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-India] Iran entitled to produce N-energy: India, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-India] Iran has right to develop n-energy, says India, Indo-Asian News Service (via NEI email; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran-Japan] Japan advocates dialog on Iran N-issue, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia Regrets Iran's Uranium Enrichment, Urges Further Talks, Anna Shiryaevskaya, Bloomberg (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea] South Korea Predicts Nuclear Test by North Korea This Year, Voice of America

* [North Korea-US] US offered food aid for disarmament – N Korea, AP

* [North Korea-US] North Korea Accuses U.S. of Politicizing Food Aid, Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal (subscription required)

* [North Korea] New Book Sheds Light on North Korea Dynasty, Steve Herman, Voice of America

* [North Korea] S. Korea think-tank warns of North's 'military adventurism', Jeremy Laurence, Reuters

* [North Korea] Truth about North Korea doesn't rest with the west, Alex Reinhart, The Cord (Canada)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] Japanese nuclear envoy to visit Seoul this week, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-US] N. Korea claims U.S. proposed suspending sanctions and resuming food aid, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-US] N. Korea denies asking U.S. for food aid, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-US] N Korea Open to Food-Nuke Deal with U.S., Hyung-Jin Kim and Foster Klug, TIME (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea] Does promise or peril await in North Korea?, Javier Solana, The Japan Times (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)

* [North Korea-US] N. Korea reopens door to food-for-nukes deal with U.S., Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Paulo's Corner)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-India] India’s Nuclear Security Policy, Rajiv Nayan, Institute For Defence Studies & Analysis (via Paulo's Corner)

* [n-weapons-NTI nuc material security index] Australia ranked first, N.Korea last on nuclear safety, Agence France Presse (via Paulo's Corner)

* [n-weapons-test detection] Satellite imagery detects thermal "uplift" signal of underground nuclear tests, Oregon State University press release (via Paulo's Corner)

* [n-weapons-US] Obama Team Reveals Nuclear Trade, Nonproliferation Decision on Capitol Hill, Elaine M. Grossman, Global Security Newswire (via Paulo's Corner)

* [n-weapons] Doomsday Clock Moves 1 Minute Closer to Midnight; The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: It is Now 5 Minutes to Midnight, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists press release

* [n-weapons] NTI Launches Nuclear Materials Security Index; Global Priorities for Security Needed; All Governments Can Do More, Nuclear Threat Initiative press release

* [n-weapons-US-history] Nuclear weapons intelligence failures in 1950s led to reform, Defense Intelligence Agency website

* [n-weapons-US] Panetta Said Ready to Release First Budget Numbers Jan. 26, Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg

* [n-weapons-doomsday clock] Doomsday Clock Moves 1 minute closer to midnight, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-history-Fukuryu Maru No. 5 tuna boat] Scientist immediately sought details from U.S. on 1954 Bikini H-bomb test, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

January 10, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-enrichment] Inspectors Say Iran Is Enriching Uranium at Mountain Site, William J. Broad, New York Times (this was a CSIS top story; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)
Atomic inspectors in Vienna confirmed Monday that Iran has begun enriching uranium at a new plant carved out of a mountain, an act of defiance that comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran over oil revenues and global sanctions.

* [Iran] IAEA confirms uranium enrichment at Iranian facility, CNN (via NEI email)
note: The headline shown here is NEI's. The original from CNN was 'Uranium enrichment begins at Iranian site'.

* [Iran] US says Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, Press TV

* [Iran] Iran war to deteriorate world economy, Press TV

* [Iran-IAEA] Iran: IAEA monitoring our activities, UPI

* [Iran-Israel] Israel 'Resigned to Nuclear Iran' AFP (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)
Israel is preparing for Iran to become a nuclear power and has accepted it may happen within a year, the London Times reported on Monday citing an Israeli security report.

* [Iran-intel] Iran's nuclear program: What intelligence would suffice?, Micah Zenko, CFR.org (this was a CSIS top story)
In August 2006, I wrote a piece for the Washington Post, 'Share the Evidence on Iran,' which called on the George W. Bush administration to declassify the main findings of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. As many aspects of Iran's progress towards nuclear capability had already been selectively leaked to the media, I argued that 'declassifying the key judgments and dissents would publicly establish the intelligence community opinion' and clarify erroneous judgments.

* [Iran-wardrums] Despite Saber-Rattling, Military Action 'Long Way Off' for US and Iran, Ben Knight, Deutsche Welle (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran-wardrums] The war dance is in full swing, Asia Times (via CSIS)
Just as Iran would need a certain period of time (known as breakout time) from the moment it leaves the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to the moment it builds a bomb, so would the United States need a period of time from when it decides to strike to when it does. It could take weeks if not months to transfer the necessary military personnel, airplanes and (especially) supplies to bases in the region.

* [Iran-US] Obama Ready to Strike to Stop Iran: Ex-Adviser, Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg

* [Iran-US] US warns Iran over violations, Gulf Daily News

* [Iran-US-Latin America] U.S. urges Latin American states to press Iran over nuclear program, Xinhua News (also highlighted by CSIS)
The United States is calling on the Latin American states being toured by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to try their best to persuade the Islamic republic to change the course over its controversial nuclear program, the U.S. State Department said on Monday.

* [Iran-oil-China] Beijing rejects sanctions on Iranian oil, Keith B. Richburg,, Washington Post

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU meeting on Iran oil embargo set for January 23, David Brunnstrom, Reuters

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Considers Moving Iran Meeting to Jan. 23, Diplomat Says Ewa Krukowska, Bloomberg Businessweek (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by CSIS and Paulo's Corner)
The European Union is considering bringing forward a meeting of foreign ministers to Jan. 23, from Jan. 30, that will discuss a possible embargo on imports of Iranian oil, an EU diplomat said.

* [Iran-sanctions-China] China Rejects Linking Trade and Iranian Nukes Joe Mcdonald, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by CSIS)
A top Chinese diplomat on Monday rejected linking Iran's nuclear program to trade, adding to tensions with Washington on the eve of a visit by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to seek support for sanctions on Tehran's oil industry.

* [Iran-sanctions] Will sanctioning Iran 'work'?, Daniel Drezner, Foreign Policy (via CSIS)
At the same time, however, Iran is trying to demonstrate that its uranium enrichment will continue unabated. Trita Parsi argues that overconfidence in the sanctions track will cause the Obama administration to rebuff any negotiated breakthrough on the nuclear issue. This leads to the obvious question: What's the endgame in Iran? Will sanctions 'work'?

* [Iran-sanctions] Why New Sanctions Raise Danger of Iran's Building Nuclear Weapons, Tony Karon, TIME (via IAEA Daily Press Review; also highlighted by CSIS)
The Administration's stated goal is to bring Iran to the table to negotiate a deal that would end international concerns over a nuclear program that has given Iran the means to build nuclear weapons-- even though, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta emphasized in a TV interview on Sunday, U.S. and allied officials believe Tehran has not yet decided to build the bomb. Panetta allowed that the U.S. might launch a military strike if Iran tried to build nuclear weapons.

* [Iran-Ecuador-US] Ecuador defies U.S. warning against forging close ties with Iran, Xinhua News

* [Iran-Ecuador] Ecuador backs Iran's nuclear rights, Press TV

* [Iran-Russia] Russia Regrets Iran's Uranium Enrichment, Urges Further Talks, Anna Shiryaevskaya, Bloomberg

* [Iran-Turkey-US] U.S. official says Washington eager to work with Turkey on Iran, Xinhua News

* [Iran-enrichment] Iranian uranium enrichment confirmed, Xinhua News

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Enrichment at Secured Nuclear Site Draws U.S., France Anger, Nicole Gaouette and Flavia Krause-Jackson, Bloomberg

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Says Work at Fortified Uranium Enrichment Site Is Supervised by IAEA, Nicole Gaouette and Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg

* [Iran-enrichment] Fordo atomic site runs under IAEA watch, Press TV

* [Iran-enrichment] 'West response to Fordo exaggerated', Press TV

* [Iran-enrichment] Enrichment in Fordo meant to produce radioisotopes for patients, Tehran Times

* [Iran-enrichment] IAEA confirms Iran's underground nuclear programme, AP

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran enriching uranium under IAEA 'surveillance', AFP

* [Iran-enrichment] IAEA Confirms Iran Started Nuclear Work in Bunker, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed on Monday that Iran has started enriching uranium at an underground site and said all atomic material there was under its surveillance.

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran bunker site raises the nuclear stakes, Defense Talk (via CSIS)
Iran has further stoked Western fears about the purpose of its nuclear activities by starting to enrich fissile material in a new site deep inside a virtually impregnable mountain bunker.

* [Iran-enrichment] US Calls Iran Plant a Further Nuclear 'Escalation', Jakarta Globe (via CSIS)
The United States said on Monday that Iran's uranium enrichment work at a new site is a 'further escalation' in the nuclear showdown with the international community.

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Enrichment at Secured Nuclear Site Draws U.S., France Anger, Nicole Gaouette and Flavia Krause-Jackson, Bloomberg (via Paulo's Corner)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-China] North Korea diplomacy picks up in China, Reuters (this was a CSIS top story)
Lee's office said in a statement after his meeting with Wen that the two 'shared the view that denuclearization of the Korean peninsula as well as peace and stability are of paramount importance and agreed to continue to closely consult and cooperate each other.'

* [North Korea-South Korea-China] China, South Korea Hold Summit on North Korea, AP (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The presidents of South Korea and China agreed Monday to work together to achieve peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, in their first summit since Kim Jong Il's death opened the chance for major changes in North Korea.

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-terror-US-emergency preparedness] DHS conducts nuclear detection drill on Long Island, Mark Rockwell, Government Security News (via Paulo's Corner)

* [n-weapons-US] New Defense Guidance Undermines Need for New Nuclear, Weapons Plutonium Facility at Los Alamos, Nuclear Watch of New Mexico

* [n-weapons-US] Year End Progress in Reducing the Nuclear Weapons Budget, Marylia Kelley, Tri-Valley CAREs

* [n-weapons-US] U.S. Gov't Says it Conducted 4th Plutonium Test Last Nov. Mainichi/Kyodo (via IAEA Daily Press Review)
The United States conducted a fourth experiment using plutonium to examine the capabilities of its nuclear arsenal last November, officials of the National Nuclear Security Administration said Friday.

* [n-weapons-US] New U.S. Defense Strategy Focuses on 'Asymmetric' Threats, Global Security Newswire (via CSIS)
A key focus of the Obama administration's new defense strategy is ensuring the military is prepared to deal with the threat posed by enemies that would use ballistic missiles or other 'asymmetric means' to ward off U.S. forces that they might not be able to defeat, the New York Times reported on Monday.

* [n-weapons-CTB] Time to Ratify Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Stephen A. Cheney, CNN (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [n-weapons-India] India's Nuclear Security Policy, Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (via CSIS)
On March 26-27, 2012, Seoul is hosting the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit (NSS). The first summit was held in Washington on April 13, 2010. India is participating in the Seoul summit, just as it did in the first summit. In fact, India was one of 47 participant countries at the April 2010 NSS. It had actively participated in all the preparatory Sherpa meetings for the 2010 NSS. In these Sherpa meetings, the participant countries decided the communiqué and the work plan of the 2010 NSS.

* [n-weapons-India-Russian sub] Russia, India Sign Lease Certificate of Project 971U Schuka-B Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSN) Nerpa, Navaltoday.com Russia and India signed lease certificate of Project 971U Schuka-B nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Nerpa, reports ITAR-TASS. The signing ceremony was held on Dec 30 in Russian Navy Main HQ.

* [n-weapons-XSSR] Success Touted in Securing Former Soviet Nukes, Global Security Newswire (via CSIS)
Former U.S. officials and experts are taking stock of a successful collaborative effort with Russia to prevent rogue actors from acquiring nuclear weapons in the wake of the breakup of the Soviet Union two decades ago.

* [n-weapons] Years of Living Dangerously, Michael Krepon, Arms Control Wonk (via CSIS)
This track record of reducing nuclear dangers and avoiding nuclear nightmares rivals all other diplomatic accomplishments since the end of World War II. Treaty critics credit this extraordinary result to peace through strength, including the prospect of devastating, potentially genocidal threats, more politely known as nuclear deterrence. They are only half right. Nuclear arms racing without diplomacy increases insecurity. Arms build-ups and deterrence require reassurance to maintain the nuclear peace. Nuclear deterrence without arms control is like trying to construct a lasting, protective edifice with bricks but no mortar.

* [n-weapons] Nuclear weapons 2011: Momentum slows, reality returns, Steven E. Miller, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (via Paulo's Corner)

January 9, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-China-US] Geithner to Seek China's Support on Iran, Ian Katz and Cheyenne Hopkins, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran opens new enrichment facility, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran says Fordo uranium enrichment facilities "safe" in face of threats, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Fordo atomic site runs under IAEA watch, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran enriching uranium at Fordo plant near Qom, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran's Uranium Enrichment at Fortified Site Draws U.S. Criticism, Nicole Gaouette and Flavia Krause-Jackson, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Britain condemns 'provocative' new Iran nuclear site, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran begins uranium enrichment at Fordow, Nuclear Engineering (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran starts nuclear work in mountain bunker: diplomats, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] IAEA confirms Iran started nuclear work in bunker, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil prices] Brent above $113 on Iran supply threat (Update 4), Zaida Espana, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU Considers Moving Up Iran Meeting, Ewa Krukowska, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-India] India seeks waiver on Iran oil embargo, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] Iran crude exports to S. Korea up 48%, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-China] China says Iran's nuclear issue cannot be solved "fundamentally" through sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions-China] China rejects US limits on Iran trade, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'Sanctions can't hamper Iran progress', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Khamenei says Iran will not yield to sanctions, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] 'Iran, P5+1 talks to resume in Turkey', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Iran death sentence for 'CIA spy' Amir Mirzai Hekmati, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Iran: time for cool heads, The Guardian editorial (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-China-South Korea] Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China to meet in Beijing on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-China] China's Un-relenting watch, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-China] S. Korea's Nuclear Envoy to Meet Chinese Counterpart in Beijing, Arirang News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan] (Yonhap Interview) Seoul-Tokyo cooperation critical to dealing with N.K.: ambassador, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea] NK leader signals 'military-first' policy, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-missile defense] U.S. wishes more progress in missile shield talks with Russia, Mihail Fomichev, Ria Novosti (via Nevada ANP)

January 8, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-Panetta] Panetta: Iran Not Building a Nuclear Weapon, CommonDreams.org (via@SoNuke)

* [Iran-Venezuela-US] Iran and Venezuela implicated in cyber attack plan against US, including nuclear facilities, nuclear.com compilation

* [Iran-US] Iran praises US rescue of Iranian fishermen, but remains opposed to US presence, nuclear.com compilation

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran begins uranium enrichment at new Fordo nuclear facilities: report, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] 'Fordo facility cannot be attacked', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Starts Uranium Enrichment at Fordo Mountain Facility, Kayhan Reports, Nayla Razzouk and Glen Carey, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran Trumpets Nuclear Ability at a Second Location, David E. Sanger, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran to launch nuclear work in bunker in "near future", Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Fordo enrichment facility safe from attack: nuclear chief, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran enrichment site may be in operation, UPI (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Iran: Nuke plant to be running for Feb. 1, UPI (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Latin America] Iranian president to visit Latin American countries, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-n-exports] 'Iran ready to export nuclear services', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-North Korea-enrichment] Iran officials visited N. Korea in Nov. on possible uranium enrichment: report, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-South Korea] S. Korea considers reducing oil import dependence on Iran, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'Iran firmly resisting foreign pressure', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] 'Sanctions accelerate Iran's progress', Denver Post, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] The West's pressure on Iran will backfire, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran Able to Block Strait of Hormuz, General Dempsey Tells CBS, Kathleen Hunter and Viola Gienger, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] 'Iran has wherewithal to close Hormuz', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] 'Arrest US war thugs to stop Iran war', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] The case against attacking Iran, Allen L Roland, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Panetta: Iran Has Not Yet Decided to Make a Nuclear Bomb, FOX News (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-rumored explosion] S. Korea dismisses rumors of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-Guatamala] Guatemala Signs Country Programme Framework for 2011-2017, IAEA (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-India-subs] Vizag: N-powered attack sub to arrive by Jan 31, IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Russia-sub fire] Nuclear submarine fire mystery deepens, Michael Sandelson and John Price, The Foreigner (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-XSSR] How Threat of Loose Soviet Nukes Was Avoided, Vladimir Isachenkov, ABC News (via Nevada ANP)

January 7, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] Iran close to starting nuclear work in bunker: diplomats, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Iran, Russia Replace Dollar With Rial, Ruble in Trade, Fars Says, Nayla Razzouk, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-drums of war] Why Not Attack Iran?, David Swanson, HNN Huntingtonnews (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] UK rules out preemptive strike on Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UN] UN calls on Iran, US to defuse tension, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UN] UN chief calls on Iran, U.S. to ease tension, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UN] UN chief stressed peaceful resolving of Iran-US tensions, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] 'Iran prepared for US miscalculation', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] The New York Times is Lying About Iran's Nuclear Program, Judy Miller, Global Research (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-enrichment] Fordo enrichment facility to come on stream soon, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-India] Iran's sovereignty must be respected: Indian Leader, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-China] China dismisses US's Iran oil embargo, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan mulls ignoring US oil ban on Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU denies agreement over ban on Iranian oil, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Iran mulling over Russia's revised 'step-by-step' plan: envoy, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Iran sanctions bite, but will they work?, Suzanne Maloney, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Turkish FM says Iran determined to resume nuclear talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran keen to resume nuke talks, says Turkish FM, Hurriyet Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran's offer to 5+1 for dialogue, not a weakness: Politician, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] Tour d'horizon: Iranian optic on Mideast, Seyed Mohammad Marandi, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] 'Iran adamant on nuclear rights', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] 'Halting Iran nuclear work, unacceptable', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Santorum] David Gregory should tell Rick Santorum there are UN inspectors in Iran, Robert Naiman,, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-npp-Bushehr] Bushehr plant to become fully operational in a month, Vestnik Kavkaza (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-npp-Bushehr] Official: Bushehr power plant to reach optimum capacity soon, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran's first nuclear fuel rod: Another view, Julian Borger, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-rumor of Jan 6 explosion] Police investigating rumor of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-rumor of Jan 6 explosion] S. Korea dismisses rumors of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] S. Korea, U.S., Japan to hold high-level talks on N. Korea: Campbell, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-UK-veterans] Nuke test veterans to find out in days whether they can sue the MoD, Susie Boniface, Daily Mirror (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UK] Trident: at what cost would an independent Scotland refuse the nuclear option?, Professor William Walker, Scotland on Sunday (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-UK] Scottish Trident nuclear plans would leave UK without deterrent, Eddie Barnes, Scotland on Sunday (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-nuclear posture review] Creating the new nuclear war plan, Stephen Young, All Things Nuclear (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-subcritical tests] U.S. simulated nuke test doesn't draw flak, Masami Ito, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US] U.S. gov't says it conducted 4th plutonium test in last Nov., Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US] Hiroshima mayor, governor protest 3rd U.S. plutonium test, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US] No Need for All These Nukes, Philip Taubman, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

January 6, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran] Canada PM: Iran is world's most serious threat; Harper says he is sure Tehran seeking to develop nuclear weapons, international response needed to counter threat, Jerusalem Post

* [Iran-wardrums] As currency crisis and feud with West deepen, Iranians brace for war, Thomas Erdbrink and Joby Warrick, Washington Post (also highlighted by Nevada ANP and CSIS)
At a time when U.S. officials are increasingly confident that economic and political pressure alone may succeed in curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions, the mood here has turned bleak and belligerent as Iranians prepare grimly for a period of prolonged hardship and, they fear, war.

* [Iran-wardrums] Gulf states brace for unwanted US-Iran war, AFP (via CSIS)
The Arab states that lie just miles across the Gulf from Iran are nervously eyeing the prospects of a war between Tehran and the West that none of them want and all know could devastate their economies.

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Analysis: Iran could close Hormuz -- but not for long, Peter Apps, Reuters (via CSIS)
Should Iran's rulers ever make good their threats to block the Straits of Hormuz, they could almost certainly achieve their aim within a matter of hours.

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran's Self-Destructive Gamble, Alireza Nader and James Dobbins, NY Times (a CSIS top story)
Iran's threats to close the Straits of Hormuz in response to the latest American-led sanctions may be empty posturing. Still, Iran's slow march toward a nuclear weapons capability has dramatically increased tensions between Washington and Tehran. The Obama administration has not taken the option of a military strike off the table, and one must assume that the Iranians have not done so either.

* [Iran-oil] Defeating the petro-authoritarians, Stuart W. Holliday, Washington Times (via CSIS)
As the world finished celebrating the holidays of peace, the Iranian mullahs appeared again to be planting seeds of conflict in the Middle East. They have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, vital to global energy supply, as part of a military exercise.

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU, concerned by Iran's nuclear program, aim for agreement on Iranian oil ban by end of month, AP (via CSIS)
Officials from the 27 countries that make up the European Union are beginning Thursday the process of trying to thrash out an agreement on banning the purchase of Iranian oil in the hope of choking off funding for the country's nuclear program.

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan mulls ignoring US oil ban on Iran, Press TV (Iran)

* [Iran-oil-India] New sanctions on Iran pose problem for India's oil payments, Economic Times (via CSIS)
India may face problems in making payments for crude oil it buys from Iran because of recent moves by the US to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, a top government official said on Friday.

* [Iran-talks-sanctions] Sanctions on Iran, and Diplomacy, Daryl G. Kimball, letter to New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks-Russia] Iran, Russia discuss bilateral ties, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran to renew talks on nuclear program with six mediators, Vestnik Kavkaza (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran, West say ready to resume nuclear talks, Reuters (a CSIS top story)
Turkey has delivered a Western offer to Tehran to renew negotiations over its nuclear programme, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday, expressing hope talks stalled a year ago could soon be revived.

* [Iran-talks-Turkey] Turkish Visit Aims to Smooth Ties With Tehran, Marc Champion, Wall Street Journal (via CSIS)
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday reassured Iran that Ankara wouldn't allow Turkish soil to be used for any attack against a neighbor, during a trip to Tehran focused on averting a Sunni-Shia "cold war" in the region.

* [Iran-talks-Turkey] Turkish foreign minister meets Iran's Ahmadinejad, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-Israel-naval exercises-Strait of Hormuz] Iran, US and Israel announce new war games as tensions rise in the Gulf, Julian Borger, The Guardian (a CSIS top story)
Tensions on the oil shipping lanes in the Gulf have escalated with the announcement of new naval exercises by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and news that Israel and the US are planning to carry out their most extensive joint manoeuvres in the region.

* [Iran-naval exercises-Strait of Hormuz] Iran to hold another naval drill near Strait of Hormuz next month, Haaretz (via CSIS)
Iran plans to hold another extensive naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz in February, Iran's defense minister said on Friday, just days after a 10-day drill ended amid a spat with the U.S. over the crucial waterway.

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] S Korea verifies N Korea nuclear explosion is not true, fx market alerts

* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] S. Korea dismisses rumors of nuclear explosion in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] FSS probes stock rumors on N.K. nuclear blast, Kim Yon-se, Korea Herald

* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] North Korea rumours shake Seoul bourse, Business Report (South Africa)

* [North Korea-rumor-Jan 6 n-explosion] Rumor of N. Korean nuclear explosion prompt brief stock panic in South, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (also highlighted by Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-China] Amid N. Korea succession, China makes push for stability, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-China-US] U.S. Asks China to Pressure North Korea to Avoid Provocations During Transition, Choe Sang-Hun, NY Times (via CSIS)
A senior American diplomat on Thursday called on China to help restrain the new leadership in North Korea from military provocations during the transition of power there.

* [North Korea-South Korea] Uneasy calm hides distant tremors from both sides of Korean border, Philip Wen, Sydney Morning Herald

* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea Reaches Out to North Korea, NTD Television

* [North Korea-South Korea-US] U.S. Military Cuts to Reduce Emergency Reinforcements in Korea, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
A new, more austere U.S. defense strategy unveiled Thursday gives up on fighting major wars overseas and reduces active-duty troops from 570,000 to 470,000. The aim is to cut more than US$450 billion in defense spending over the next decade.

* [North Korea-South Korea-US] What Does the New U.S. Defense Strategy Mean for S.Korea?, Chosun Ilbo (a CSIS top story)
The U.S. is shifting its defense strategy away from big, expensive wars like Iraq and Afghanistan and downsizing or consolidating missions to reduce the defense budget by US$450 billion to $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This has made it inevitable for the Pentagon to revise its military priorities.

* [North Korea-South Korea-US] U.S. Pledges to Stand by South Korea on Policy, Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal (via CSIS)
The U.S. will stick close to South Korea in forming an approach to deal with North Korea's new leader, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Thursday.

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-terror] Blink of an Eye, by former Defense Secretary William S. Cohen | Nuclear Terrorism Sinks Savannah -- and U.S. Civil Society, book review by John C. Wohlstetter, The American Spectator

* [missile defense-US-Russia] US to have more missile defense talks with Russia, Interfax-Ukraine

* [n-weapons-US] Fewer, Better Nuclear Weapons Can Make the U.S. Stronger: View, Bloomberg (a CSIS top story) U.S. President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Martin Dempsey unveiled a new long-term defense strategy on Wednesday designed to save money while adapting U.S. forces to tomorrow's security challenges.

* [n-weapons-US] New US military strategy, Korea Times(via CSIS)
A U.S. plan for a leaner military with less money is an inevitable step for Washington to cut its huge budget deficit and meet the rapidly changing global security environment. It signals changes, if not drastic, in America's role to police the world. However, it is not likely to dictate an immediate demise of the sole global superpower. Rather, the move is intended to help the United States keep that role with slimmer but more effective armed forces.

* [n-weapons-US] U.S. conducted 3rd plutonium test to check nuke arsenal last summer, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-Russia-Israel-Iran] Nukes don't kill, people do, Louis Rene Beres, Haaretz

* [n-weapons-India] India holds the key to balancing power in Asia, C. Raja Mohan, Sydney Morning Herald

January 5, 2012

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-EU-oil] EU nations agree on Iranian oil embargo; US hails European decision; Islamic Republic says it has way to work around ban, Gene Ramos and Peg Mackey, Jerusalem Post, front page story

* [Iran-US] Iran's threat a test of U.S. Gulf commitment, Frederick W. Kagan, AEI/LA Times

* [Iran] Bombing Iran's Nuclear Facilities: Shortsighted or Resolute?, Paul Heroux, Huffington Post (via Paulo's Corner)

* [Iran] Iran will never give up uranium enrichment activities: spokesman, Xinhua News

* [Iran] US presence fuels tensions in PG, Press TV

* [Iran] Pounding the War Drums Against Iran, James Abourezk, CounterPunch

* [Iran-IAEA] No date set for IAEA visit: Abbasi, Press TV

* [Iran-sanctions] Iran's growing state of desperation, Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post (via CSIS)
The discussion everywhere these days is about Iran's strength. Mitt Romney, the Republican front-runner, describes Iran as “the greatest threat that the world faces over the next decade.” He and others are impressed by Iran's recent declarations about its nuclear capacities and its missile tests. Newt Gingrich has compared the Iranian challenge to the rise of Hitler's Germany. More measured commentators also see Iran's rising influence and power across the Middle East.

* [Iran-sanctions-China] China rejects US-led sanctions on Iran, Press TV
* [Iran-oil-Saudi] Saudi Arabia ready to offset oil prices, PressTV (via CSIS)
Saudi Arabia's oil minister says Riyadh is capable of increasing its oil output as the world price is rising after EU government agreed in principle to impose an embargo on Iran's oil.

* [Iran-oil price] Oil Trades Near Eight-Week High on Concern Iran Supplies May Be Restricted, Grant Smith and Ben Sharples, Bloomberg
* [Iran-oil-EU] Iran nuclear crisis: EU moves towards crude oil ban, BBC News
* [Iran-oil-EU] EU agrees in principle to Iran oil ban, Press TV
* [Iran-EU] Europe Takes Bold Step Toward a Ban on Iranian Oil, Steven Erlanger, NY Times (a CSIS top story)
European countries have taken their boldest step so far in the increasingly tense standoff with Iran over its nuclear program, agreeing in principle to impose an embargo on Iranian oil, French and European diplomats said on Wednesday.

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz-UK] U.K.'s Hammond Warns Iran Over 'Illegal' Threat to Close Strait of Hormuz, Thomas Penny, Bloomberg
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz-UK] U.K.'s Hammond Warns Iran Over 'Illegal' Threat to Close Strait of Hormuz, Thomas Penny, Bloomberg (via CSIS)
The U.K. may take military action against Iran if it carries out its threat to block the Strait of Hormuz, Defense Secretary Philip Hammond will warn in a speech in Washington today.
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Oil Price Would Skyrocket if Iran Closed the Strait of Hormuz, Clifford Krauss, NY Times (a CSIS top story)
If Iran were to follow through with its threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit route for almost one-fifth of the oil traded globally, the impact would be immediate: Energy analysts say the price of oil would start to soar and could rise 50 percent or more within days.

* [Iran-foreign warships] Iran prepares bill to bar foreign warships from Persian Gulf, Thomas Erdbrink, Washington Post (a CSIS top story)
Iran's parliament said Wednesday that it was preparing a bill that would prohibit all foreign warships from entering the Persian Gulf unless they received permission from the Iranian navy.

* [Iran-US] Iran renews warning to US Navy in Gulf, AFP (via CSIS)
Iran on Wednesday renewed its warning to America against keeping a US naval presence in the oil-rich Gulf, underlining a threat Washington has dismissed as a sign of “weakness.”

* [Iran-US] Hard-line U.S. Policy Tips Iran Toward Belligerence: Vali Nasr, Vali Nasr, Bloomberg
* [Iran-US] 'US deploys troops in Israel for Iran war', Press TV
* [Iran-US] Obama warned against war on Iran, Press TV
* [Iran-Israel-US] Israel pushing US towards war with Iran, Press TV
* [Iran-Israel-subs] How subs could save Israel, Ronald S. Lauder, NY Post (via CSIS)
It's time the Israelis “went deep.” That is, it's time they took their submarine force and reinvented it as a strategic deterrent against a potentially nuclear-armed Iran and its terrorist surrogates seeking to literally wipe Israel off the map.
* [Iran-Israel] Israel Would Stop Nuclear Work at Reactors in Future Conflicts, Global Security Newswire (via Paulo's Corner)
* [Iran-Russia] Tehran hails Moscow's diplomatic efforts over Iranian nuclear program, RIA Novosti (via CSIS)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev during a telephone conversation on Thursday that Tehran backed Moscow's diplomatic efforts to settle the dispute over Iranian nuclear program, the Kremlin said.

* [Iran-Russia] Tehran hails Moscow's diplomatic efforts over Iranian nuclear program, Behrouz Mehri, Ria Novosti
* [Iran-Russia] Medvedev, Ahmadinejad discuss Iranian nuclear program, Vestnik Kavkaza
* [Iran-South Korea] Seoul faces tough choices over Iran sanctions, Song Sang-ho, Korea Herald
* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey's Davutoglu in Tehran for talks, Press TV
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran's first nuclear fuel rod and what it means, Julian Borger, The Guardian
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran's first nuclear fuel rod and what it means, Olli Heinonen, The Guardian (UK) (via Paulo's Corner)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] The top five ways things could go wrong in the hermit kingdom, Michael Mazza, AEI, The American
* [North Korea-China-South Korea] Lee to Make State Visit to China Next Week, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
President Lee Myung-bak will fly to China for a state visit on Monday. During the three-day trip, Lee is expected to hold a bilateral summit with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, setting the stage for the first private meeting between the two leaders since the death of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-il.
* [North Korea-China-US] China reluctant to discuss North Korea with U.S., Asahi Shimbun (via CSIS)
Washington asked Beijing for bilateral talks on North Korea issues, but China said it needed time to determine the direction of Pyongyang's new leadership, a senior U.S. government official told reporters.
* [North Korea-China-US] U.S. urges China to make clear 'restraint' by N. Korea's new leadership, Kim Deok-hyun and Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] (Yonhap Interview) S. Korea, U.S. want nuclear talks with N. Korea to restart soon: Han, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] Seoul Needs to Handle the New N.Korean Regime Delicately, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
North Korea's official papers said in a New Year's editorial that the party, military and people must become a "shield" to protect new leader Kim Jong-un "to the death." It added the party and military must firmly support Kim's "sole" leadership.

* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea 'open to dialogue' with North, minister says, Paula Hancocks, CNN (a CSIS top story)
South Korea is "open to dialogue" with the new North Korean leadership, despite harsh recent comments from Pyongyang, Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan said Thursday.

* [North Korea-South Korea] Seoul seeks high-level contacts with NK, Park Si-soo, Korea Times (via CSIS)
The Ministry of Unification said Thursday that it will seek to restore a high-level communications channel with North Korea this year as part of efforts to put moribund inter-Korean relations onto a normal track.

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea willing to hold talks with N. Korea's new leader: FM, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea to push for contacts with N. Korea to pave way for high-level talks, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea says ready for talk with hostile North, Jeremy Laurence and Christine Kim, Reuters
* [North Korea-UK] Yonhap Interview: Regional powers must keep pressure on N.K. to denuclearize: British envoy, Kim Deok-hyun and Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News
* [North Korea] US:"Inter-Korean Relations Must First Improve to Resume 6-way Talks, Arirang News
* [North Korea] N.Korea Starts Image-Building of New Leader, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
North Korea portrays Kim Jong-un as a confident, chummy new leader in footage aired on state TV Tuesday evening.

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [missile defense] Obama says defense law restrictions on sharing missile defense secrets with Russia is non-binding, Bill Gertz, Washington Times
* [n-weapons-space] Space arms race, Korea Times (via CSIS)
An arms race in outer space is likely to be intensified as Japan is trying to lay the legal ground for space development for defense. Media reports said that Tokyo will soon propose to revise the law that confines space research and exploration to non-military purposes only.

* [n-weapons-CTB] Time to ratify nuclear test ban treaty, Stephen A. Cheney, CNN (via CSIS)
It's been a year since the United States ratified the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, and it's time to reflect on its benefits. By allowing us to restart inspections, verifications and the dismantling of nuclear assets, New START has established transparency, predictability and stability that serves the security of the whole world.

* [n-weapons-India-China] India's Reponse to China Rise, Avind Kumar, The Diplomat (via Paulo's Corner)
* [n-weapons-India-subs] India rejoins the nuclear submarine leagueUPI (a CSIS top story)
India officially rejoined the nuclear submarine operators' club when the Russian manufacturers handed over to an Indian crew the Nerpa, in Russia's far east.

* [n-weapons-India-subs] India rejoins the nuclear submarine league, UPI
* [n-weapons-Pakistan-US] F-16 supply to Pakistan to continue, says US, Chidanand Rajghatta, Times of India (via CSIS)
Despite all the hissing and spitting from both sides in course of a deteriorating bilateral relationship, the Obama administration has clarified that the United States is continuing to supply new F-16s to Pakistan and upgrading the existing fleet.
* [n-weapons-US] New Pentagon strategy will guide defense cuts, shift US security focus to Asia, AP (via CSIS)
The Obama administration is rewriting its defense strategy to absorb hundreds of billions of dollars in defense budget cuts while scaling back the longstanding Pentagon goal of being ready to fight two wars simultaneously.

* [n-weapons-US] The New U.S. Defense Strategy: Toward A Smaller, Less Costly Nuclear Force, Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina, ARMS CONTROL (via Paulo's Corner)
* [n-weapons-Australia-subs] Leaked submarine figure doesn't account for full costs, David Ellery, Canberra Times
* [n-weapons-navy-UK] Nuclear ship gets new lease of life, Whitehaven News
* [n-weapons] Science Essential in Verifying Peaceful Use of Nuclear Material, IAEA
January 4, 2012
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-Israel-US] Obama Seeks to Distance U.S. from Israeli Attack, Analysis by Gareth Porter*, IPS
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran's Nuclear Fuel Rod Isn't a Military Threat, U.S. Energy Analysts Say, Brian Wingfield, Bloomberg
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Analysis: Fuel test won't hasten Iran bomb: experts, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters
* [Iran-oil-Persian Gulf] 'Global economy intertwined with PG', Press TV
* [Iran-sanctions-China] China repeats opposition to unilateral sanctions on Iran, Ben Blanchard, Reuters
* [Iran-sanctions-South Korea] S. Korea disregards US oil sanctions, Press TV
* [Iran-Turkey] Turkish FM due in Tehran for talks, Press TV
* [Iran] Iran: Nuclear Talks With P5+1 to Resume Soon, Jason Ditz, Antiwar.com
* [Iran] Meanwhile, in the Persian Gulf…, Justin Raimondo, Antiwar.com
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea-South Korea-China] Leaders of S. Korea, China to hold summit in Beijing next week, Yonhap News
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] U.S. reluctant to talk with N. Korea without S. Korea, Lee Chi-dong, Yonhap News
* [North Korea] N. Korea's military stronger than ever: think tank, Yonhap News
* [North Korea] US:"Inter-Korean Relations Must First Improve to Resume 6-way Talks, Arirang News
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons-Russia sub fire] Russian submarine fire 'was more serious', Lyndsey Smith and Michael Sandelson, The Foreigner
* [n-weapons-Russia sub fire] Photos shed light on cause of fire aboard Russian nuclear submarine; questions of whether missiles onboard remain, Charles Digges, Igor Kudrik, Bellona
January 3, 2012
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran] (video) From the Middle East to the U.S. Homeland: The Iranian Qods Force's Growing Ambitions, AEI Critical Threats Project
* [Iran] Iran Warns the United States Over Aircraft Carrier, J. David Goodman, New York Times
* [Iran] Iran warns U.S. over aircraft carrier, CNN (via CSIS)
* [Iran] Iran dismisses sanction impact on currency, AP (via CSIS)
* [Iran] Iran Asks to Resume Talks on Its Nuclear Program, AP (via CSIS)
* [Iran] Military action isn't the only solution to Iran, William H. Luers and Thomas R. Pickering, Washington Post (registration or Facebook required) (CSIS top news)
* [Iran] Iran claims nuclear fuel advance, test-fires missile in Gulf, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (CSIS top news)
* [Iran] Iran Nuclear Program Threatens Balance of Power: Yergin, Patti Domm, CNBC (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Israel] Kane: Israeli debate on war with Iran, Chen Kane, Newsday (via CSIS)
* [Iran-Israel] Israeli spy chief downplays Iranian nuke threat, Abraham Rabinovich,Washington Times (via CSIS)
* [Iran-Israel-Dimona] Israel to shut down Dimona nuclear reactor should war break out, Ha'aretz Daily (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Latin America] Iran seeking to expand influence in Latin America, Joby Warrick, Washington Post (via CSIS)
* [Iran-sanctions] Israeli defense minister says western pressure on Iran working, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] Iran dismisses oil sanction threats, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] Iran nuclear crisis: Sanctions 'beginning to bite', BBC News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] 'Iran will manage US sanctions scenario', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] Iran sanctions: What you need to know, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-France] Iran nuclear crisis: France wants 'stricter' sanctions, BBC (via CSIS and Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-France] France calls for tougher EU sanctions against Iran, Deutsche Welle (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-France] France urges US-style sanctions on Iran, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-UK] Why is Britain ramping up sanctions against Iran?, Simon Jenkins, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-US-Saudi] US Saudi fighter jet sale to help offset Iran, Reuters (via CSIS)
* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA delegation due in Iran soon, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-talks] Iran waiting for 5+1 to suggest date, venue for talks: Mehmanparast, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] 'Iran can easily shut Hormuz Strait', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-US] Iran Warns U.S. Against Sending Carrier to Gulf, Heather Langan, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-US] Iran warns US carrier: Don't come back to Gulf, Nasser Karimi, AP Google (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-US] Pentagon rejects threat from Iran, says it will continue scheduled movements of U.S. carriers on Persian Gulf, Heather Langan and Viola Gienger, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] Analysis: N.Korea's missile-maker seen in key role in new regime, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Reuters (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] US envoy arrives in China on Asia tour for talks on post-Kim Jong Il North Korea, AP (via CSIS)
* [North Korea] S. Korean president sees 'window' to deal with North, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (CSIS top news)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Seoul Needs to Handle the New N.Korean Regime Delicately, Chosun Ilbo (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Two Koreas 'at a turning point' says South president, BBC (via CSIS)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Sign of weakness, Korea Herald editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea lifts temporary ban on visits to N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] U.S. says DPRK's refusal to deal with South Korea not conducive to renewed talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [missile defense-Russia] Optimism on Missile Defense Agreement Drops, Nikolaus von Twickel, Moscow Times (via CSIS)
* [missile defense-US] Boeing wins $3.48 b US missile defense contract, Reuters (via CSIS)
* [n-weapons-India-Pakistan] Pakistan, India hold talks on nuclear CBMs, The Nation (Pakistan) (CSIS top news)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub-fire] Daylong Fire on Russian Submarine Took Hundreds of Workers to Extinguish, Ellen Barry, NY Times (via CSIS)
* [n-weapons-subs-Russia-India] Russia hands over Nerpa nuclear sub to India, AFP (via CSIS)
* [n-weapons-US-DOD budget] THE NEXT WAR: Panetta to Offer Strategy for Cutting Military Budget, Elisabeth Bumiller and Thom Shanker, New York Times front page lead story
* [n-weapons-US-budget cuts] Pentagon's Conventional Prompt-Strike Effort Takes 2012 Funding Hit, Elaine M. Grossman, Global Security Newswire(via CSIS)
* [n-weapons-US-subs-cost overrun] Navy's worst-case cost overrun tops $1 billion for aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg (via CSIS)
* [n-weapons-antinuc] Trial for nuclear resisters at Trident Submarine Base starts Wednesday, North Kitsap Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Pakistan] PTI & the nuclear issue, Dr Shireen M Mazari, News International (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub-fire] Submarine's torpedo compartment was on fire, Barents Observer (via Nevada ANP)
January 2, 2012
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Constraining Iran in the Strait, Ilan Berman, International Herald Tribune (via American Foreign Policy Council)
* [Iran] American Awaits Verdict After Iran Spy Trial, Report Says, Reuters
* [Iran] Election Fears and Economic Woes Pose New Challenges for Iran’s Leaders, Rick Gladstone, New York Times
* [Iran-missiles] Iran Tests Naval Cruise Missile, Harvey Morris, New York Times
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran tests fuel rods for nuclear power plants, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran Makes Nuclear Fuel Rod, Offers to Restart Talks, Ayesha Daya, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel/missiles] Iran claims nuclear fuel advance, test-fires missile in Gulf, Parisa Hafezi, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] Sanctions make Iran stronger: Journalist, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Santorum] Santorum: I'll Bomb Iran, Jason Ditz, antiwar.com (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Santorum] I will bomb Iran nuclear sites: Santorum, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] 'Iran Is Playing with Fire', Kristen Allen, Der Spiegel (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea-South Korea] South Korea's Lee calls on North to end nuclear activities, Jack Kim, Yahoo!7 News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Lee Offers 'New Era' to N.Korea, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] Lee leaves 'window of opportunity' open for better ties with N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] The 'Gang of 7' Behind Kim Jong-un, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons-radiation-veterans-compensation-UK] Nuclear veterans hope for new year legal win, Terry Kelly, Shields Gazette (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub fire] Repairs on fire-damage sub could take a year, Barents Observer (via Nevada ANP)
January 1, 2012
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran Produces 1st N. Fuel Rod Needed for Tehran Research Reactor, Fars News Agency (Iran)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran produces first nuclear fuel rod, Press TV (Iran) (Nevada ANP highlighted this too)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] 'Iran tests 1st uranium-based nuclear fuel rod', Jerusalem Post
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran's Scientists Produced First Nuclear Fuel Rod, IRNA Reports, Wael Mahdi, Bloomberg (Nevada ANP highlighted this too)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran nuclear scientists test first uranium-based nuclear fuel rod, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran successfully tests domestically made nuclear fuel rods: TV, Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-nuclear fuel] Iran makes its own reactor uranium rod, UPI (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-missiles] Iran fires medium-range missile during Strait of Hormuz naval drill, Haaretz
* [Iran-missiles] Missile defense - Obama administration building layered bulwark in Europe and Middle East against Iran's growing missile capabilities, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via @SoNuke)
* [Iran-missiles] Iran 'test-fires medium-range missile' in Gulf, Mohsen Asgari, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-missiles] Iran tests missile as US tightens sanctions, Marc Burleigh, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Israel] Will 2012 bring a new Israeli attitude toward Iran?, Amos Harel, Haaretz
* [Iran-Israel] Will Israel bomb a near-nuclear Iran in 2012?, Daniel Korski, The Spectator
* [Iran-sanctions] Iran currency slips to record low after new US sanctions, Agence France Presse
* [Iran-sanctions] Will Iran Face Real Sanctions?, David Frum, FrumForum.com
* [Iran-sanctions] Iran to retaliate Western refusal to fuel Iranian airlines, Agence France Presse
* [Iran-sanctions] Obama signs new Iran sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-exports] Iran's petrochemical exports approaching $11 billion, Tehran Times
* [Iran-talks] Iran proposes nuclear talks with 6 world powers, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-talks-Germany] Germany seeking 'concrete action' from Iran on nuclear, Agence France Presse
* [Iran] Persian Gulf no place for arrogant powers, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea-Kim Jong Un] North Korea tells its people to protect Kim Jong-un as 'human shields' in New Year message, The Telegraph (UK)
* [North Korea-China] N. Korean economy likely to get boost from China: KD, MCOT.net
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [missile defense-UAE] UAE is first foreign nation to get Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), the only system designed to destroy short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via @SoNuke)
* [dirty bomb preparedness-Times Square-New Year's Eve] Police plan tight security at Times Square, Tom Hays, AP
* [n-weapons-India-Pakistan] Pakistan, India to exchange nuclear data, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Obama] After Struggle on Detainees, Obama Signs Defense Bill, Mark Landler, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [history-China-US] CIA tried to plant surveillance device atop Nanda Devi, PTI - Press Trust of India
* [history-China-US] CIA tried to plant 'device' atop Nandadevi, News24 (via Nevada ANP)
* [computing-China] ORNL's computing chief on China: 'They're going to be hard to compete with', Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel blog (via Nevada ANP)
December 31, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-Romney] Mitt Romney: Ready military options to prevent Iranian nuclear weapon, Tony Leys, Des Moines Register (via @nuclearnewsbot)
* [Iran-Ron Paul] Paul: Iran no threat to US security, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] U.S. steps up sanctions as Iran floats nuclear talks, Laura MacInnis and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via @Macoombs)
* [Iran-sanctions] 'Iran oil ban will take toll on world', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-talks] U.S. steps up sanctions as Iran floats nuclear talks, Laura MacInnis and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran says closing Hormuz not its intention, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] Video: Iran Successfully test fired new Anti Ship Ballistic Missiles, non-English newscast (via @CustosDivini)
* [Iran] Iran proposes new round of nuclear talks with 6 world powers as sanctions hit hard, AP (via @armscontrolnow)
* [Iran-UAE-US] U.S. in $3.5 billion arms sale to UAE amid Iran tensions, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] 'US sets stage for war against Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] Military action isn't the only solution to Iran, William H. Luers and Thomas R. Pickering,, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-EU-talks] Iran Plans Letter to EU to Restart Nuclear Talks, Mehr Says, Ayesha Daya, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Russia] 'Russia against force, sanctions on Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-talks] 'Iran may resume talks with P5+1', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-talks] Iran, world powers to hold nuclear talks, CNN (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-talks] Iran says ready for nuclear talks as tensions mount, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-EU] EU cautious over Iran nuclear talks, Christian Boahmer, Deutsch Press-Agentur (via @bikyamasr)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea-Ju Kyu Chang] DPRK's missile-maker seen as key player in new regime, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Reuters (via The China Post)
* [North Korea] A peep inside North Korea, Ashfaqur Rahman, Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies/The Daily Star (Lebanon)
* [North Korea] Power behind Kim Jong-un's throne: the 'Gang of Seven' emerges from the shadows, Andrew Salmon, The Telegraph (UK)
* [North Korea-South Korea] N. Korea reiterates 'no dealing' with S. Korea's conservative gov't, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea] North Korea condemns South Korea, vows no policy changes, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [tritium] SRNS quadruples tritium production output, Anna Dolianitis, Aiken Standard (via @ATRNSUOchair)
* [India-Pakistan] Pakistan and India exchange lists of their nuclear facilities each year, having agreed not to attack these, Daily Times (Pakistan) (via @nuclearnewsbot)
* [n-weapons-India-Russia] India takes delivery of Russian nuclear submarine, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub fire] Norway unhappy about Russia's delayed notification of submarine fire, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
December 30, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-Russia] 'Russia favors Iran-P5+1 talks', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-US-Saudi] US-Iran spat heats up - warships in Strait, and $30B sale of jets to Saudis, Khaleej Times (UAE), front page stories
* [Iran] U.S. warships cross Strait of Hormuz despite Iran threats, The Daily Star (Lebanon) front page, Dec 30, 2011
* [Iran] U.S. warship in Iran zone intensifies oil tension, AFP (front page story in Deccan Chronicle, Chennai edition, India)
* [Iran-Ron Paul] Rep. Ron Paul's views on a nuclear Iran and Israel are extremist, detail from front page editorial ('Romney will say anything'), in The Union Leader (New Hampshire)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea-South Korea] N. Korea vows not to deal with S. Korea's president, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] N. Korea's new leadership rules out policy changes, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
*
* [Pakistan-India] Pakistan hasn't enunciated what its official nuclear doctrine is all about, detail from front page story in Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad edition
* [n-weapons-Pakistan-India] India asks Pakistan to declare its nuke doctrine, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Navy] Challenging the Navy's numbers, Walter Pincus, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-submarine-India-Russia] Russia hands over Nerpa nuclear sub to India: report, Asian Age (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub] Russian nuclear submarine fire put out, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub] Update: Fire aboard Russian nuclear submarine said to be extinguished, Charles Digges, Bellona (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub] Medvedev Orders Probe of Nuclear Sub Fire, Scott Rose, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub] Fire put out on Russian nuclear submarine, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub] Crew members still on board burning nuclear sub: RIA, Thomas Grove, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia-sub] Russia submarine fire "totally extinguished", Andrei Pronin, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-submarines-history] Timeline: Worst nuclear submarine incidents, David Cutler, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
December 29, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran/Israel] Israeli spy chief downplays Iranian nuke threat, Abraham Rabinovich, The Washington Times (thanx @NuclearPolicy
* [Iran-sanctions-EU] EU threatens sanctions on Iran oil, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz-China] China urges stability in Strait of Hormuz, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] Iran's nuclear issue escalates, but unlikely into conflict, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea-change] Banker Who Fled Kim Jong Il Says New Leader May Open North Korean Economy, Jiyeun Lee and Eunkyung Seo, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-old Kim] Kim Jong-il's Miserable Legacy, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-Russia] Russia appoints new chief envoy for N. Korea nuclear talks, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-Russia] Russia appoints new chief envoy for N. Korea nuclear talks, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-South Korea-US] Senior U.S. diplomat to visit S. Korea early next month, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons-Russia] Fire at Russian nuclear sub contained - emergencies minister, RIA Novosti (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia] Russian nuclear submarine, Yekaterinburg, in dock fire, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia] Update: Massive fire engulfs Russian nuclear submarine at Arctic repair dock; 9 injured, but leaks remain uncertain, Charles Digges, Bellona (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia] Russian Reactor Safe, Radiation Levels Normal as Submarine Burns, Marina Sysoyeva, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Russia] Russia submerges nuclear submarine to douse blaze, Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-submarines] Ban nuclear-armed subs before they 'ruin your whole day', Patricia Willis, Vancouver Sun (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India-Japan] Japan, India make trade push / Noda, Singh agree to cooperate on infrastructure development, Daily Yomiuri (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India-Japan] Japan, India agree to boost maritime security cooperation, Yoshihiro Kiyonaga, Daily Yomiuri (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India-Pak] Pakistan, India must prevent 'tripping of nuclear wire': daily, IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India] Dont review nuclear ties with India: Activists, IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India-Japan] Japan calls on India to sign NPT, Nayanima Basu, Business Standard (India) (via NEI email)
December 28, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-sanctions] West ought to withdraw Iran oil ban plan: official, Amena Bakr, Reuters
* [Iran-Stuxnet] Stuxnet weapon has at least 4 cousins: researchers, Jim Finkle, Reuters
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Closing Strait of Hormuz Might Be Self-Inflicted Wound for Iran, Peter S. Green and Mark Shenk, Bloomberg
* [Iran-Canada] 'Anti-Iran sanctions costly to Canada', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iranian navy "can readily block" Strait of Hormuz: TV, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran threatens to block Strait of Hormuz oil route, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran navy chief says closing Gulf "really easy", Parisa Hafezi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] N.Korea closer to nuclear-tipped missile: U.S. expert, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] S Korea's top nuclear envoy visits U.S. over DPRK issues, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US] S. Korean nuclear envoy heads to Washington for talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US/Japan] S. Korea, U.S., Japan planning to hold post-Kim talks next month, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons-India-Japan] Japan urges India on NPT for nuke cooperation, Nayanima Basu, Business Standard
* [n-weapons] Project Update: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, NAS
* [n-navy-Australia] Push for nuclear submarines gaining momentum, Brendan Nicholson, The Australian (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-navy-India] Russian nuclear sub ready for India transfer, Times of India (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Canada] Weapons-grade uranium shipments quietly heading south, Gloria Galloway, Globe and Mail (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-START] START may be sunk by a nuclear torpedo, Mikhail Fomichev, RIA Novosti (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons/India-Pak] Pakistan, India conclude nuclear CBMs talks on positive note, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
December 27, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-911 liability] Iran rejects NY judge's ruling on 9-11 attacks, Hamodia (Brooklyn), front page highlight of p. 4 story
* [Iran-Netanyahu] Israel's PM: West not backing rhetoric on Iran with deeds, Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post front page story
* [Iran-sanctions] Iran threatens to stop Gulf oil if sanctions widened, Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions] Sanctions foolish, Iran says, UPI (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran to Block Oil Through Hormuz If Sanctioned, IRNA Reports, Robert Tuttle, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran starts war games in Strait of Hormuz, Hamodia (Brooklyn), front page story
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] 'Iran capable of closing Hormuz Strait', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] The Coming Accidental War with Iran, Lyric Hughes Hale, Huffington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-npp-Bushehr] 1000 MW nuclear power joins Iran national grid by March, Iranian Students' News Agency - ISNA (via Paulo's Corner)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] N.Korea closer to nuclear-tipped missile: U.S. expert, Jim Wolf, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-regional jitters] Kim's death sparking vigorous diplomacy; 6-party players engage in talks over NK, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times, front page lead story
* [North Korea] Turbulent times ahead for Korean Peninsula amid transition in Pyongyang, Kim Deok-hyun, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] N. Korea may delay 'strong nation' declaration: experts, Song Sang-ho, Korea Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] North Korea - averting collapse or chaos is region's top issue, Paul Koring, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, front page lead story
* [North Korea] Nuclear arsenal key to N Korea's new regime, Luke Harding, Melbourne Age, Australia (via Paulo's Corner)
* [North Korea/Kim] Jong Un solidifies grip on power with new post, Japan Times front page, with credit to AP, Wash'n Post
* [North Korea/Japan/China] North Korea nuke talks - Noda asks Hu to help, Kyodo News (via front page story in Japan Times)
* [North Korea/Japan/China] Japan urges China to help stabilise N. Korea; Noda also asks key ally of Pyongyang to share information on transition, Singapore Straits Times, front page story
* [North Korea/South Korea] South Korean mourning delegation meets wih late Kim Jong Il's heir, AP (via front page story in Roswell Daily Record)
* [North Korea/South Korea] S. Koreans meet NK successor, Kim Young-jin, Korea Times, front page top story
* [North Korea/South Korea/China] S. Korea, China put top priority on stability in N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US] S. Korean envoy to visit U.S. to discuss Kim death, nuclear talks, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea/US] Top Nuclear Envoy From South Korea to Visit U.S. Tomorrow on North Issues, Seonjin Cha, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons-NSG] The Future of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Mark Hibbs, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (via Paulo's Corner)
* [n-weapons-NuclearSecuritySummit] Towards nuclear security and safety, Shin Hyun-suk, The Jordan Times (via Paulo's Corner)
* [n-weapons-India-Pak] 'Indo-Pak talks on CBMs to help foster greater understanding', IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India-Pak] Pakistan and India resume conventional CBM talks, Iftikhar A Khan, DAWN, front page lead story
* [n-weapons-Libya] UN reports Libya's nuclear materials remain intact, Roy Greenslade, Global Security Newswire (via Paulo's Corner)
* [n-weapons-Libya] Libya Should Ship Away Uranium Holdings: IAEA, Global Security Newswire (via Paulo's Corner)
* [Pakistan] No budget cuts in nuclear programme: Federal government, The Express Tribune
* [Pakistan] Govt refutes reports of rolling back nuclear programme, Daily Times
* [Pakistan] Pakistani government defends nuclear program, Tom Hussain, McClatchy Newspapers (via front page story in West Hawaii Today)
* [Pakistan] 'First strike' policy against India: Pakistan's military-govt. tension bleeds into nukes, Tom Hussain, McClatchy Newspapers (via front page story in The Wichita Eagle)
* [Pakistan] Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) spokesman condemns talk about rolling back nuclear program, LALAMUSA City News
* [Soviet Union] Is the World Really Safer Without the Soviet Union?, Mikhail Gorbachev, The Nation (via Paulo's Corner)
* [TSA] TSA airport screener didn't check luggage on two international flights, Steve Strunsky, Newark Star-Ledger, front page
* [Iraq-sectarian crisis] Radical cleric demands new elections, parliament in Iraq; Already lethal sectarian crisis threatens to intensify, Rebecca Santana, AP (via front page story in Newark Star-Ledger)
* [Israel-bunker busters] American bunker busters may be defective, Zalman Ahnsaf, Hamodia (Brooklyn) front page story
* [Israel-bunker busters] Tried and tested? Israel may have defective American bunker busters, Jerusalem Post, front page highlight to p. 10 story
December 26, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran-Israel-US] 'Israel needs US say-so to attack Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] Iran develops new cyber defense model, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Iraq] Iran says ready to expand military links with Iraq, Agence France Presse (via Drudge)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] Sen. Richard Lugar fears that North Korean nuclear materials, nuclear weapons could be sold, Associated Press (via Wash'n Examiner)
* [North Korea-US] North Korea - fear and uncertainty in US over successor, Matthew Lee, AP (front page of Akron Beacon Journal)
* [North Korea-US] Caution mutes US response to NKorea, analysis by Matthew Lee, Associated Press (via Drudge)
* [North Korea-US] US opts for caution on North Korea amid fear, uncertainty after Kim Jong Il death, Associated Press
* [North Korea] Succession appears smooth in N. Korea, Chico Harlan, The Washington Post
* [North Korea/Japan/China] After death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Japanese PM seeks Chinese cooperation, Associated Press
* [North Korea/Japan/China] N. Korea looms over Japan, China talks, Scott McDonald, The Washington Post
* [North Korea] North Korea media hail Kim as supreme commander, Park Si-soo, The Korea Times
* [North Korea] North Korea defectors to South suffer discrimination, Kim Tae-jong, The Korea Times front page story
* [North Korea] North Korea - Kim's Uncle Jang in uniform, AP (front page story in The Japan Times)
* [North Korea-Japan/China] Noda asks Hu to help on six-party nuke talks, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-transition] Who Is in Charge of N.Korea's Nuclear Weapons?, Chosun Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea-transition] A week after N. Korean leader's death, signs of smooth transition, Chico Harlan, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Premiers in bid to restart 6-party talks, EastDay (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Helping N.K. open up, Korea Herald editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] Back to normal; N. Korea issue cannot cover domestic scandals, Korea Times editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea] People should come first, JoongAng Daily editorial, via Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/China/Japan] Nuclear fears dominate talks between Japan and China, Sydney Morning Herald (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/Japan/China] Japan urges China to help keep in check North Korea, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Yahoo!7 News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/Japan/China] Japan, China leaders meet on N. Korea transition, Scott McDonald, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons/scientist exchanges/China] Are Our Nuclear Secrets Safe In Obama's Hands?, Investors Business Daily editorial, Dec 23 (via FreeRepublic.com)
* [Wikileaks] Assange may face spy charges after lawyers claim he 'coached' U.S. whistleblower on breaking military computer passwords; Prosecutors reveal online chats with U.S. army private; Assange allegedly used alias 'Nathanial Frank', Craig MacKenzie, London Daily Mail (via WorldNetDaily)
* [Russia] More than 100,000 take to streets across Russia; Call for removal of officials responsible for alleged election fraud, Deutsche Presse-Agentur/Haaretz (via WorldNetDaily)
* [n-terror] TSA screenings aren't just at airports anymore, Brian Bennett, Tribune Newspapers (via front page of Charlotte Observer)
* [n-weapons-EMP] A candidate, a friend and Armageddon; Nuclear war theory has drawn attention of late, not all of it positive, Jim Morrill, Charlotte Observer front page story
* [n-weapons] ICBMs are important to US defense, sez Montana's Congressional delegation, Peter Johnson, Great Falls Tribune front page story
* [n-weapons-India-Pak] Pakistan, India hold talks on CBMs, IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India-Pak] Indo-Pak meet on nuke, conventional CBMs begins, Hindustan Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Pakistan] BB's nuclear, missile programmes make country's defence impregnable, Muhammad Asghar, APP (via Nevada ANP)
December 25, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran/Israel] 'Israel needs US say-so to attack Iran', Press TV (Iran)
* [Iran/Iraq] Preparing for the 'Eastern Front', Yaakov Katz, Jerusalem Post
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iranian navy begins exercise in waters near strategic oil route, China Daily
* [Iran/Europe/Israel] Israel doubts Europe will stop Iran atom project, Reuters/Business Recorder
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran’s Navy Launches Drills In Strait Of Hormuz, PanArmenian, Eurasia Review
* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran begins 10-day drill in Strait of Hormuz, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] Year In Review: Tensions Rise Between Iran, West, Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
* [Iran] Air of danger lacks substance, Gwynne Dyer, Illawarra Mercury's Between the Lines blog, Australia
* [Iran-US] Iran rejects US allegation on al Qaeda operative, DailyTimes.com, Pakistan
* [Iran-US] Iran rejects U.S. allegation on al Qaeda operative, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran] Anxiety over Iran to continue in 2012, UPI
* [Iran-IAEA] IAEA inspectors ensure real Iran reports, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-oil] 'Sanctions on Iran oil sector failing', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-oil] 'Iran oil sanctions bad idea if they work', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-sanctions-Swiss] Swiss adopt new anti-Iran sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran-Turkey] 'Turkey will never team up against Iran', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] Younger Kim named N. Korea army chief, UPI
* [North Korea/China/Japan] North Korea Expected to Be Focus of Japan-China Meeting, Michael Wines, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/China/South Korea] S. Korea, China to hold high-level talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] Change in NK policy needed, Dong-A Ilbo (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] South Korean funeral snub brings harsh words from the North, UPI
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [n-weapons/Nuclear Suppliers Group] All dressed up and nowhere to go, MP Ram Mohan, The Financial Express
* [n-weapons-India/Pakistan] Pak-India nuclear talks today, Pakistan Observer (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-India/Pakistan] Pakistan, India resume nuclear CBMs today, Pakistan Daily Times (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-Pakistan] Pak ex-FM Qureshi slams govt's nuclear policy, Press Trust of India/IBNLive (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-USN-subs] Nuclear sub narrowly avoided collision in Strait of Juan de Fuca, newspaper reports, Tom Callis, Peninsula Daily (via Nevada ANP)
December 24, 2011
IRAN NEWS
* [Iran] Nuke expert: Time to attack Iran, Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran/India] India's stand on Iran Nuclear program positive: Velayati, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran/Turkey] Turkey to buy Iran oil despite sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran/Turkey] Iran extends oil deal with Turkey for 2012 despite sanctions, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)
* [Iran/US] 'US threat to nuke Iran is criminal', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)
KOREA NEWS
* [North Korea] Kim Jong-il dead: Will history’s first nuclear regency end with a whimper or a bang?, George Jonas, National Post (via @nuclearnewsbot
* [North Korea/China/South Korea] S. Korea, China to hold high-level talks on N. Korea, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [North Korea/South Korea] Seoul to hold additional nuclear talks, UPI (via Nevada ANP)
OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS
* [Navy] Nuclear sub narrowly avoids collision with freighter off B.C. coast: report, Vancouver Sun (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons-summit] Nuclear experts to gather in S. Korea before March summit, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)
* [n-weapons/history/site-Oak Ridge-Y12] Early, early nuclear weapons work, Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel blog (via Nevada ANP)

See older nuclear weapons news