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May 16, 2013

Parisa Hafezi, "Iran says ready for nuclear talks with world powers" Reuters / May 16, 2013 Iran is prepared to pursue nuclear diplomacy with world powers before or after next month's presidential election in the Islamic Republic, its chief negotiator said on Thursday.... View Source ›

"Iran's Jalili says Istanbul nuclear talks 'long and useful'" Agence France Presse / May 16, 2013 Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said on Thursday that nuclear talks with the EU'S foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton were "long and useful" and that both sides have decided to continue the discussions.... View Source ›

"Envoy Stresses Progress in Iran-IAEA Talks in Vienna " Fars News Agency / May 16, 2013 Iran's Residing Representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency Ali Asqar Soltaniyeh announced that Tehran and IAEA have made some progress in their talks in Vienna on Wednesday. ... View Source ›

Bree Feng, "U.S. Envoy Talks With Chinese About North Korea" The New York Times / May 16, 2013 The State Department’s senior envoy on North Korea said Wednesday that he had discussed “all aspects of the North Korea issue” with Chinese officials, including sanctions on the North, during a one-day visit to Beijing. ... View Source ›

Mark Willacy, "Japan to open nuclear plant" Australian Broadcasting Corporation / May 16, 2013 It took more than 20 years to build and cost nearly $30 billion. Now Japan's state-of-the-art nuclear fuel reprocessing plant is about to open. The plant in the far north of the country will be capable of turning spent nuclear fuel into eight tonnes of plutonium each year.... View Source ›

Elaine M. Grossman, "Former Defense Brass Object to ‘More Restrictive’ Nuclear Trade Policies" Global Security Newswire / May 16, 2013 A half-dozen former U.S. national security leaders last month implored President Obama to avoid tightening restrictions on foreign nuclear cooperation in the interest of nonproliferation.... View Source ›

"Nuclear warhead maker admits safety breach over 2010 fire" The Guardian / May 16, 2013 The Atomic Weapons Establishment, which makes and maintains warheads for the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent, has admitted putting employees at risk.... View Source ›

May 15, 2013

"Sanctions 'delaying N Korea nuclear aims'" Al Jazeera / May 15, 2013 Tough financial sanctions and an arms embargo have significantly delayed expansion of North Korea's nuclear arms programme, according to a confidential UN report seen by the Reuters news agency. The latest annual report by the UN sanctions-monitoring group comes as the US seeks to persuade China that applying economic and other sanctions against its neighbour is crucial to halting the programme.... View Source ›

"Nuclear Iran Can Be Contained and Deterred: Report" Inter Press Service / May 14, 2013 While preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is preferable, the United States could successfully contain a nuclear Iran, according to a new report released here Monday by the Center for a New American Security, an influential think tank close to the administration of President Barack Obama.... View Source ›

Fredrik Dahl, "U.N. watchdog, EU's Ashton to press Iran in nuclear dispute" Reuters / May 15, 2013 Iran faces international pressure over its nuclear program in two separate meetings on Wednesday, but no breakthrough is expected with the Islamic state focused on next month's presidential election.... View Source ›

"China Fires Rocket Capable of Targeting Satellites: Expert" Global Security Newswire / May 15, 2013 A Chinese space rocket fired on Monday is capable of delivering an antisatellite weapon, though this week's mission appeared strictly scientific, a U.S. astrophysicist told Reuters.... View Source ›

"Japan takes first step to a permanent reactor shutdown after Fukushima" Reuters / May 15, 2013 Experts judged on Wednesday that a reactor on Japan's west coast is located on ground at high risk of an earthquake, setting in motion a process that will likely lead to the first permanent shutdown of a nuclear plant since the 2011 Fukushima crisis.... View Source ›

"Canada Joins Conference on Disarmament Boycott" Global Security Newswire / May 15, 2013 Canada on Tuesday said it would join the United States in boycotting the international Conference on Disarmament when Iran takes over as president later this month, the Canadian Press reported.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "Nuclear Security Advances Risk Ignoring Plutonium, NGO Coalition Warns" Global Security Newswire / May 15, 2013 WASHINGTON -- Years of international efforts to lock down nuclear material that could be exploited by terrorists risk failing to deal with hundreds of tons of plutonium dispersed across the globe, according to an international coalition of nongovernmental organizations.... View Source ›

May 14, 2013

"Spokesman: Iran seeks ‘constructive’ European approach in nuclear talks" Associated Press / May 14, 2013 Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran’s nuclear negotiator is seeking a “constructive” response from the European Union’s top diplomat in upcoming talks aimed at possibly restarting wider dialogue with the U.S. and other world powers.... View Source ›

"U.S. Ambassador to Sit Out Conference on Disarmament Under Iran" Global Security Newswire / May 14, 2013 The top U.S. envoy to the Conference on Disarmament will not be in attendance while Iran leads the international body beginning later this month, the Associated Press reported on Monday.... View Source ›

"N.K. refutes views of eased inter-Korean tensions" Yonhap / May 14, 2013 North Korea Tuesday refuted assessments that tensions have eased on the Korean Peninsula, saying the ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercise is fueling uncertainties.... View Source ›

"North Korea should not expect rewards: US envoy" Channel News Asia / May 14, 2013 US envoy on North Korea, Glyn Davies, said Friday that Pyongyang should expect no reward for its apparent decision to cancel an expected missile launch at a time of elevated military tensions.... View Source ›

"Hagel to Discuss ICBM Launch Personnel Troubles With Top Air Force Officials" Global Security Newswire / May 13, 2013 Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is scheduled on Monday to discuss with the Air Force's top civilian and military officials newly reported operations troubles with ICBM launch personnel at one installation, the Associated Press reported.... View Source ›

Jillian Keenan, "Kazakhstan's Painful Nuclear Past Looms Large Over Its Energy Future" The Atlantic / May 13, 2013 As international attention continues to focus on the nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran, a less-discussed Asian country has quietly emerged as a leader in responsible nuclear development: Kazakhstan. ... View Source ›

"Rosatom offers emerging nations nuclear package: paper" Reuters / May 13, 2013 Russia's state-owned nuclear company Rosatom is offering a special package deal to build and operate nuclear power stations abroad in a bid to win business from developing countries, a company official was quoted on Monday as saying.... View Source ›

May 13, 2013

" N. Korea replaces hawkish armed forces minister" Yonhap News Agency / May 13, 2013 North Korea replaced its hard-line armed forces minister with a relatively "young" and unknown field commander, a news report said Monday, in a move that may signal a shift in the country's confrontational policies.... View Source ›

"Iran expects 'progress' in U.N. nuclear talks, West skeptical" Reuters / May 13, 2013 Iran expects progress will be made in talks this week with the United Nations' atomic agency, Tehran's nuclear envoy said on Monday, but Western diplomats held out little hope of an end to the deadlock. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been trying for more than a year to coax Iran into letting it resume a stalled investigation into suspected atomic bomb research by Tehran, which denies any aims to make nuclear weapons. ... View Source ›

"Nuclear negotiator and former president eye Iran election" DW / May 11, 2013 Two powerful Iranian political figures have registered their intention to run in the country’s presidential election. The two men have created a stir within the political scene just one month ahead of the vote.... View Source ›

"Hagel Touts US Defense Network in Middle East" Defense News / May 10, 2013 WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised the “cooperative defense network” being constructed by the Pentagon across the Middle East as a way to keep Iran’s nuclear ambitions in check.... View Source ›

"(2nd LD) S. Korea, U.S. start naval exercises involving nuclear-powered flattop" Yonhap News Agency / May 13, 2013 South Korea and the United States on Monday began two days of joint naval exercises off the east coast involving the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier. ... View Source ›

Eloise Ogden, "Missile test launch rescheduled" Minot Daily / May 12, 2013 When North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened nuclear strikes against the U.S. last month, the test launch of a missile from the Minot missile field scheduled for April was canceled.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "U.N. Disarmament Chief Calls for NATO to Study Eliminating Nukes" Global Security Newswire / May 10, 2013 WASHINGTON – The United Nations’ top disarmament official this week called on NATO to look at setting a clear pathway for giving up its nuclear deterrent.... View Source ›

May 10, 2013

Alistair Dawber, "Pakistan’s nuclear weapons mastermind AQ Khan denies advising North Korea and Iran" The Independent / May 10, 2013 AQ Khan, the mastermind of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme, has denied any involvement in similar programmes in North Korea and Iran, insisting that the two states have acquired any knowledge in the field from Western sources.... View Source ›

"More Chinese lenders join restrictions against N. Korean bank: source" Yonhap News Agency / May 10, 2013 South Korea is aware that more Chinese lenders have cut their dealings with a key North Korean bank suspected of funding the North's nuclear weapons program, a Seoul government source said Friday.... View Source ›

"U.S. Envoy on North Korea Heading to Asia" Global Security Newswire / May 10, 2013 The State Department's top envoy for North Korea will be in South Korea, China and Japan next week for talks with his counterparts and other senior officials.... View Source ›

Rick Gladstone, "U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Those Aiding Iran" The New York Times / May 9, 2013 The United States on Thursday expanded its roster of those violating Iran sanctions, blacklisting four Iranian companies and one individual suspected of helping the country enrich nuclear fuel. It also singled out two other companies, including a Venezuelan-Iranian bank, accused of helping Iran evade other Western-imposed prohibitions on oil sales and financial dealings.... View Source ›

"Obama Seeks Senate Confirmation for Top Arms Control Post at State" Global Security Newswire / May 10, 2013 President Obama on Thursday asked senators to confirm a key State Department arms control official to a post she has filled on a provisional basis for more than a year.... View Source ›

Donna Miles, "Officials Call for Continued Ballistic Missile Defense Modernization" American Forces Press Service / May 9, 2013 Senior defense officials underscored the importance of ballistic missile defense modernization efforts requested in the fiscal 2014 budget proposal during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee today.... View Source ›

"U.S. Mulling Sharing Missile-Defense Data With Russia" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty / May 10, 2013 The head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency says the Obama administration has discussed declassifying key data on U.S. missile defense in order to provide it to Russia.... View Source ›

May 9, 2013

Kim Eun-jung, "Seoul declines joining U.S.-led missile defense" Yonhap News Agency / May 9, 2013 The defense ministry on Thursday ruled out South Korea's participation in the American-led missile defense system, saying it will focus on developing its own program to defend itself from North Korea's missile threats.... View Source ›

"Obama urges N. Korea to follow Myanmar’s example" Dong-A Ilbo / May 9, 2013 U.S. President Barack Obama has urged North Korea to “take notice of events in countries like Burma (Myanmar), which, as it reforms, is seeing more trade and investment and diplomatic ties with the world, including the United States and South Korea.”... View Source ›

"Several N.Korea Missiles Still on East Coast - Seoul" RIA Novosti / May 8, 2013 Although North Korea has apparently withdrawn its Musudan mid-range missiles from their launch site, several Scud and Rodong missiles are still deployed on the east coast and seem to be on the highest alert, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo daily cited a Defense Ministry source as saying on Wednesday.... View Source ›

Rachel Oswald, "MDA Head Says No Need for Extra $250M for East Coast Missile Site Work" Global Security Newswire / May 9, 2013 WASHINGTON -- The head of the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency on Wednesday turned down a Republican proposal to supply an extra $250 million for use in establishing a third ballistic missile interceptor site in the United States.... View Source ›

"US nun convicted over nuclear site break-in" Al Jazeera / May 9, 2013 An elderly nun and two other peace activists have been convicted by a US federal jury for damage they caused after they broke into a defence facility where enriched uranium used in nuclear bombs was stored.... View Source ›

Douglas P. Guarino, "Nuke Lab Directors Raise Concerns About Budget, Prospect of More Oversight" Global Security Newswire / May 8, 2013 WASHINGTON -- National laboratory directors raised concerns Tuesday that the Obama administration’s fiscal 2014 spending proposal, along with the possibility of increased federal oversight following the 2012 break-in at the Y-12 facility, could negatively impact their ability to maintain U.S. nuclear weapon stockpiles.... View Source ›

"Hagel Presses Air Force for Details on Discipline of ICBM Staffers" Global Security Newswire / May 9, 2013 The Air Force must provide further details on its recent decision to remove 17 ICBM control personnel from their positions at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Wednesday.... View Source ›

May 8, 2013

"Obama: North Korea's crisis-for-concession days 'over'" BBC / May 7, 2013 North Korea will no longer be rewarded for provocative behaviour, US President Barack Obama has said at a joint news conference with South Korea's leader.... View Source ›

"China's suspension of dealings with N. Korean bank 'significant': Seoul" Yonhap News Agency / May 8, 2013 China's decision to end financial dealings with a key North Korean foreign exchange bank is a "significant" step that may severely punish North Korea for its internationally-condemned nuclear ambitions, a Seoul official said Wednesday.... View Source ›

"N. Korea censures Japan's nuclear fuel purchase" Yonhap News Agency / May 8, 2013 North Korea denounced Wednesday Japan's recent purchase of nuclear fuel from France, saying it is motivated by the country's ambitions to produce nuclear bombs.... View Source ›

"Canada Withdraws From Scientist Redirection Efforts" Global Security Newswire / May 8, 2013 Canada is ending its participation in two programs intended to provide peaceful civilian opportunities for ex-Soviet scientists with expertise in weapons of mass destruction, the Canadian Press reported on Tuesday.... View Source ›

Diane Barnes, "U.S. Nuclear Arms Agency Could Go Under Microscope in Weeks" Global Security Newswire / May 7, 2013 WASHINGTON -- A congressionally established panel might convene next month to advise lawmakers on the fate of a troubled Energy Department agency charged with overseeing the nation's nuclear weapons, an appointee to the 12-member body said on Monday.... View Source ›

Cheryl K. Chumley, "Air Force strips 17 officers of power to launch nuclear missiles" Washington Times / May 8, 2013 In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Air Force has quietly stripped 17 officers of the authority to order the launch of nuclear missiles.... View Source ›

Mike Gruss, "Missile Defense Agency Seeks Universal Kill Vehicle" Space News / May 6, 2013 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is requesting $350 million over the next five years to develop a common kill vehicle that would work almost interchangeably with two of the major programs in its emerging global architecture, the Ground Based Interceptor and Standard Missile (SM)-3 family, according to U.S. Defense Department budget documents.... View Source ›

May 7, 2013

"Bank of China cuts off North Korea bank accused of supporting nuclear program" Associated Press / May 7, 2013 One of China's biggest banks said Tuesday it has halted business with a North Korean bank accused by the U.S. of financing Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs in the latest sign of Beijing's anger with its estranged ally.... View Source ›

"North Korea Insists Not Using Prisoner to Lure High-Profile U.S. Statesman" Global Security Newswire / May 6, 2013 North Korea on Sunday claimed it was not using the recent harsh prison sentencing of a U.S. citizen as bait to lure another prominent U.S. statesman to the country, the New York Times reported.... View Source ›

Chang Jae-soon, "Park vows to make N. Korea 'pay' if it attacks S. Korea" Yonhap / May 7, 2013 On the eve of her first summit with U.S. President Barack Obama, South Korean President Park Geun-hye voiced strong commitment Monday to ending North Korea's nuclear programs and making the communist regime "pay" if it attacks the South.... View Source ›

"Iran Keeps Cap on Bomb-Sensitive Uranium Stocks: Envoys" Global Security Newswire / May 6, 2013 Envoys on Monday said Iran is still converting enough of its uranium supply into peaceful, medical reactor material to avoid crossing a "red line" established by Israel that could trigger military action, Reuters reported on Monday.... View Source ›

"Iran's former nuclear negotiator registers for presidential campaign" Xinhua / May 7, 2013 Iran's former chief nuclear negotiator and incumbent senior member of Expediency Council Hassan Rouhani registered on Tuesday for the upcoming presidential campaign.... View Source ›

Tricia Escobedo, "Nun, two others in federal court for nuclear breach" CNN / May 7, 2013 When an elderly nun and two fellow peace activists walked undetected onto one of the nation's most secure nuclear facilities last year, they wanted to call attention to the dangers of nuclear weapons.... View Source ›

"Russia Presses for 2013 Meeting on WMD-Free Middle East" Global Security Newswire / May 6, 2013 Russia is pressing other nations to convene a previously scuttled gathering to discuss banning weapons of mass destruction from the Middle East this year, Interfax reported on Saturday. State participants in the 2010 NPT review conference called for the Middle East meeting to take place in 2012, but the event did not materialize as scheduled.... View Source ›

May 6, 2013

"Park, Obama summit should induce changes in N. Korea: experts" Yonhap News Agency / May 6, 2013 The South Korean and U.S. presidents should come up with ways at their summit to persuade North Korea to end its bellicose actions and engage in talks, experts in Seoul said Monday.... View Source ›

"Earthquake rattles near Iran’s nuclear reactor in Bushehr" The Washington Times / May 6, 2013 A moderate earthquake hit near Iran’s main nuclear reactor near Bushehr on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of damages or deaths.... View Source ›

Diane Barnes, "Japanese Nukes a Possibility if China's Power Spikes, Analysts Warn" Global Security Newswire / May 3, 2013 WASHINGTON -- Any major U.S. force reduction in the Asia-Pacific could prompt Japan to build its own nuclear weapons to ward off aggression from an ascendant China, independent experts and former U.S. government analysts warned in a report published on Friday.... View Source ›

"Nations meeting on nuclear weapons say too many are kept at high-alert levels" Associated Press / May 3, 2013 GENEVA — More than 100 nations concluding a round of global nuclear talks Friday expressed alarm that many nuclear weapons are kept at a high-alert level and are still being modernized, despite a promise to get rid of them.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "U.S., Allies Plan Future of Anti-WMD Smuggling Program" Global Security Newswire / May 3, 2013 WASHINGTON – Delegates from the United States and dozens of partner nations will gather later this month in Poland to help chart the future of a multilateral program intended to catch attempts to smuggle weapons of mass destruction and their components.... View Source ›

"Bears Buzz Alaska Again" Washington Free Beacon / May 6, 2013 Russian strategic bombers conducted flights within the U.S. defense zone close to northern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands last week in Moscow’s latest incident of nuclear saber rattling against the United States, according to defense and military officials.... View Source ›

"French SLBM User Trial Ends in Failure" Global Security Newswire / May 6, 2013 A user trial of a French submarine-launched ballistic missile was unsuccessful on Sunday, though the reason why will not be clear until after an investigation is conducted, Agence France-Presse reported.... View Source ›

May 3, 2013

Stephanie Nebehay, "U.S. calls for shutting down Iran, North Korea arms networks" Reuters / May 3, 2013 The United States said on Friday that Iran and North Korea were trying to obtain high-tech materials linked to their nuclear programs in violation of U.N. sanctions.... View Source ›

Jethro Mullen, "More tests will take North Korea closer to nuclear missile, Pentagon says" CNN / May 3, 2013 If North Korea continues with its controversial missile and nuclear tests, it "will move closer" to its objective of reaching the United States with nuclear weapons, according to a Pentagon report.... View Source ›

"China will not accept N. Korea as 'nuclear-armed state': official" Yonhap / May 3, 2013 China's chief nuclear envoy has told his South Korean counterpart that Beijing will not accept North Korea as a "nuclear-armed state," a high-ranking Seoul official said Friday, adding that Seoul, Washington and Beijing reached a consensus on the stance.... View Source ›

Rachel Oswald, "North Korea Could Begin Activating New Reactor Within Weeks: Think Tank" Global Security Newswire / May 2, 2013 WASHINGTON -- North Korea might be positioned to within weeks begin activating its new experimental light-water reactor, which could be used to produce fissile material for the country's nuclear weapons program.... View Source ›

"N. Korea to use nuclear deterrence as basis for economic growth" Yonhap / May 3, 2013 North Korea said Friday that it will take full advantage of the deterrence provided by its nuclear weapons to inject more resources into the building of its economy.... View Source ›

"Pentagon Bulks Up 'Bunker Buster' Bomb to Combat Iran" The Wall Street Journal / May 2, 2013 WASHINGTON—The Pentagon has redesigned its biggest "bunker buster" bomb with more advanced features intended to enable it to destroy Iran's most heavily fortified and defended nuclear site.... View Source ›

Chris Schneidmiller, "Organizer Eyes New Global Consensus At Nuke Security Summit" Global Security Newswire / May 2, 2013 WASHINGTON – While the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit is unlikely to lead to comprehensive, international standards for locking down vulnerable atomic materials, nations could still take steps that failed to materialize in two previous gatherings, a key diplomat said on Thursday.... View Source ›