Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Will U.S. Tactical Nuclear Weapons Be Positioned In South Korea?

Will U.S. Tactical Nuclear Weapons Be Positioned In South Korea?
from War News Updates by Bookyards
U.S. soldiers take part in a joint military drill with South Korean soldiers north of Seoul in early June. KIM JIN-TAE / AFP / Getty

Calls For Nuclear Weapons In South Korea -- UPI

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- With the U.S. defense chief in Seoul for security talks, a group of scholars and retired military officials have called for a redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea to counter North Korea's nuclear drive.

They also urged the United States to delay the planned transfer of wartime control of South Korean troops to Seoul beyond 2012, citing lingering threats from the North.

Read more ....http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2009/10/21/Calls-for-nuclear-weapons-in-South-Korea/UPI-51191256130461/

How Big Is North Korea's Nuclear Program

How Big Is North Korea's Nuclear Program
from War News Updates by Bookyards


North Korean Nuclear Arms Program Has 20 Sites, 3,000 Workers, South Says -- Global Security Newswire

South Korea said yesterday that North Korea's nuclear-weapon operations involve 20 facilities employing 3,000 personnel, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Oct. 22).

Lawmaker Lee Mi-kyung, reading from a South Korean Unification Ministry report, said that there are roughly 200 scientists and researchers among the North's nuclear work force. The Yongbyon nuclear complex contains 11 of the nuclear-related sites, while nine uranium mines and related facilities are found at two other locations.

The Unification Ministry did not dispute the data.

Read more ....


http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20091023_6221.php

Major Nuclear Agreement Reached In The Middle East .... But No One Is Reporting It from War News Updates by Bookyards

Major Nuclear Agreement Reached In The Middle East .... But No One Is Reporting It
from War News Updates by Bookyards
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (right) shakes hands with United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two countries are now completing an unprecedented cooperation deal for nuclear power in the Middle East. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters-Landov

Yes, Virginia, There is a Mideast Nuke Deal -- Newsweek

While negotiations with Iran are hitting snags at every turn, the U.S. has quietly inked a massive nuclear deal with Iran's neighbor, the United Arab Emirates.

On Friday, the world awaited Iran's decision on a proposal by Western powers that the country outsource its uranium enrichment. Enriching uranium is the key step to making a bomb, so, the thinking went, if Iran is indeed sincere about wanting a peaceful nuclear-power program, a perfect fix would be to unload the supersensitive process to one of the big nuclear states, such as Russia. Iran would build its own power plants, and everyone would be happy. No such agreement was reached, however. Iran's counteroffer remains private, but what's known is that Iran offered to buy fuel abroad but made no commitment to halt enrichment.

Read more .... http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/major-nuclear-agreement-reached-in.html

I find it amazing that on such an important issue, there is no discussion or debate in Congress, the media, or among those in the Middle East who are concerned about nuclear issues. Even those who are concerned about nuclear proliferation issues are quiet ....

Kudos to Newsweek for covering this story .... a story that (probably) everyone will forget about tomorrow.
http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/major-nuclear-agreement-reached-in.html

Friday, October 23, 2009

Suicide bomber strikes suspected nuclear weapons site in Pakistan

Suicide bomber strikes suspected nuclear weapons site in Pakistan
By Saeed Shah | McClatchy Newspapers

ISLAMABAD — A suspected nuclear weapons site in Pakistan was hit by a suicide bomb attack, raising fears about the security of the nuclear arsenal, while two other terrorist blasts made it another bloody day in the country’s struggle against extremism.

Increasingly daring and sophisticated attacks by terrorists allied to al Qaida on some of Pakistan’s most sensitive and best protected installations have led to warnings that extremists could damage a nuclear facility or seize some nuclear material. The country’s nuclear sites are located mostly in the northwest of the country, close to the capital Islamabad, to keep them away from the border with arch-enemy India. However, that places them close to Pakistani Taliban extremists, who are massed in the northwest. Al Qaida has made clear its ambitions to get hold of a nuclear bomb or knowledge of nuclear technology. Several other sites associated with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons have previously been hit.

Pakistan is reeling from a wave of terrorist violence that’s coincided with the launch of a U.S.-backed ground operation by the military against the country’s al Qaida and Taliban heartland of South Waziristan, on the Afghan border.

Friday morning a suicide attacker struck a check post on the boundary of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, an Air Force base at Kamra, about 40 miles outside Islamabad, killing eight people, including two security personnel, and wounding a further 15.

"There were strict security arrangements, so he [the bomber] was intercepted at the first check post," local police chief Fakhar Sultan told reporters.

More…
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/77650.html

Thursday, October 22, 2009

From Secrecy News: NOZETTE AND NUCLEAR ROCKETRY

NOZETTE AND NUCLEAR ROCKETRY

Stewart D. Nozette, who was arrested and charged this week under the Espionage Act, is an unusually gifted and accomplished technologist. The allegation that he provided classified information to an FBI agent posing as an Israeli intelligence officer in exchange for cash is distressing on several levels. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/the-scientist-who-mistook-himself-for-a-spy/

Among other things, Nozette had exceptionally broad access to a range of classified programs in defense, space and nuclear technology. According to an FBI affidavit
http://www.fas.org/irp/ops/ci/nozette-complaint.pdf, (pdf), Nozette stated that he "held a DOE Q clearance from 1990-2000, which involved insight into all aspects of nuclear weapons programs. Held TS/SI/TK/B/G clearance 1998-2006,... Held at least 20+ SAP [special access program clearances]... from 1998-2004."

In fact, however, Nozette's participation in Department of Defense special access programs dates back even earlier, to 1990 or so. At that time he was read into an unacknowledged special access program called Timber Wind (pdf), which was an effort by the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization to develop a rocket engine powered by a nuclear reactor. Dr. Nozette's name appears on a Timber Wind master access list we obtained which identified the several hundred persons who were authorized to be briefed on that nuclear rocket program.

The discovery of the hyper-classified Timber Wind program http://www.fas.org/sgp/othergov/dod/tw.pdf, was an inspiration for the FAS Project on Government Secrecy, since we considered it a compelling instance of classification abuse. On a number of occasions I asked Dr. Nozette about the program, but he was always quite scrupulous about rebuffing my inquiries.

Timber Wind was canceled shortly after it became public, and other nuclear rocket initiatives likewise faded away in the 1990s, as the effort to develop nuclear rocketry for military or civilian applications surged and then collapsed, leaving behind only a bunch of good stories.

An idiosyncratic new memoir by Tony Zuppero, one of the would-be nuclear rocketeers, tells those stories as he recalls them, with sometimes alarming candor, humor, and disappointment. Dr. Zuppero had his own concept of a nuclear rocket that would open a path for human expansion into the solar system. But, he laments, "after all the effort, all the visions, I got old instead of making it happen."

Dr. Nozette, myself and the Federation of American Scientists make a few cameo appearances in Dr. Zuppero's new memoir, entitled "To Inhabit the Solar System" (pdf).http://www.neofuel.com/inhabit/inhabit.pdf

U.S. Pressures Japan on Military Package John Pomfret and Blaine Harden, The Washington Post

U.S. Pressures Japan on Military Package
John Pomfret and Blaine Harden, The Washington Post
Worried about a new direction in Japan's foreign policy, the Obama administration warned the Tokyo government Wednesday of serious consequences if it reneges on a military realignment plan formulated to deal with a rising China.
Full Article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102100746.html

* Japan-U.S. Missile Defense Faces Budget Limits
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE59K1G220091021

Poland to Accept U.S. Offer on Shield Judy Dempsey, The New York Times

Poland to Accept U.S. Offer on Shield
Judy Dempsey, The New York Times
Poland, smarting after President Obama announced last month that he would scrap Bush-era plans to deploy an antiballistic missile system in Eastern Europe, will accept an offer to host parts of a new, more mobile, missile defense system, Polish officials said Tuesday.
Full Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/world/europe/21biden.html?_r=1

Iran, 3 Powers Have Till Friday to OK Nuclear Deal Mark Heinrich and Sylvia Westall, Reuters

Iran, 3 Powers Have Till Friday to OK Nuclear Deal
Mark Heinrich and Sylvia Westall, Reuters
The U.N. nuclear watchdog presented on Wednesday a draft deal to Iran and three world powers for approval within two days to reduce Tehran's stockpile of enriched uranium, seen by the West as a nuclear weapons risk.
Full Article

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-43326520091022?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

Iran Brings Urgency to U.S.'s Need to Ratify Nuclear-Test Treaty

Iran Brings Urgency to U.S.'s Need to Ratify Nuclear-Test Treaty

http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=24023#

This Time, Ban the Test Jessica Tuchman Mathews, International Herald Tribune

This Time, Ban the Test
Jessica Tuchman Mathews, International Herald Tribune
Nuclear TestTen years ago, the Senate rejected a treaty to ban nuclear testing.

To many, this was shocking. After more than 1,000 tests there was nothing of military value left for the United States to learn unless it wanted new warheads. The Cold War had been over for a decade and the U.S. arsenal already had more warheads than imaginable targets. American conventional superiority was enormous and growing. Full Article
http://carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=24021

Nuclear Weapons In The News

Nuclear Weapons In The News

Clinton Says Atomic Agency Need Broader Authority to Find Nuclear Storage Sites
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=art3luRBJP8s

Terror threat to Pakistan increasing but nukes safe for now: Clinton
http://blog.taragana.com/n/terror-threat-to-pak-increasing-but-nukes-safe-for-now-clinton-203026/

Sec. Clinton: Sanctions On A Nuclear North Korea Will Not Be Relaxed
http://talkradionews.com/2009/10/clinton-sanctions-on-a-nuclear-north-korea-will-not-be-relaxed/

Sec Clinton: You Can Have Too Many Nuclear Weapons
http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2009/10/sec-clinton-you-can-have-too-many-nuclear-weapons.html

Iran OKs Draft of Deal on Exporting Nuclear Fuel

Iran OKs Draft of Deal on Exporting Nuclear Fuel
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/10/21/iran-agrees-on-uranium-enrichment-deal/

Iran 'Has Not Paid Russia' in 'Frozen' Missile Deal
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091021/wl_mideast_afp/russiairanmilitarydefence

Clinton Calls for Strengthened IAEA Powers
http://original.antiwar.com/lobe/2009/10/21/clinton-calls-for-strengthened-iaea-powers/

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

U.S. climate bill needs more nuclear energy incentives, Chu says

U.S. climate bill needs more nuclear energy incentives, Chu says
The U.S. must lead in the advancement of clean-energy technologies, a move that would help spur economic growth, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. He also urged inclusion of more nuclear-power incentives in proposed climate legislation, which would help the country generate more carbon-free power and could win the support of Republican senators. Reuters (10/20)

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59J4PT20091020

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

U.S. Seeks to Keep Watching Russia's Weapons

U.S. Seeks to Keep Watching Russia's Weapons
Thom Shanker and Peter Baker, The New York Times
With a key arms control treaty set to expire soon, the Obama administration is searching for ways to keep inspectors in Russia or else it risks losing American eyes on the world’s second most formidable nuclear weapons arsenal for the first time in decades.
Full Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/world/europe/20arms.html

International Commission Weighs No-First Use of Nukes

International Commission Weighs No-First Use of Nukes
Atsuko Tannai and Hiroyuki Maegawa, The Asahi Shimbun
Discussions by an international commission that started Sunday are expected to focus on the need to call on nations to pledge not to use nuclear weapons except in retaliation against a nuclear attack.
Full Article
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200910190053.html

Nuclear Talks Delayed as Iran Objects to France

Nuclear Talks Delayed as Iran Objects to France
Simon Morgan, Agence France-Presse
Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers were held up Tuesday after Iran said it did not want France to be part of any deal on uranium enrichment.
Full Article
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jWloScbNGHhrQtQcZcIAKasg-xjA

Why a Month Matters

Why a Month Matters
Nima Gerami and James M. Acton, Foreign Policy
AhmadinejadSince the Oct. 1 meeting between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany), the fuel-supply agreement for the Tehran research reactor has dominated expert discussion about Iran's nuclear program. This focus has obscured another potentially important but less positive development -- Iran's delay in permitting inspectors to visit its previously undeclared enrichment facility near Qom. Iran, as required by its safeguards obligations, has promised to grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the Qom facility. Although this is certainly welcome, access to the site will not be granted until Oct. 25, more than a month after Iran first acknowledged the facility's existence in a Sept. 21 letter to the IAEA.
Full Article
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=24009

* Dealing with Iran: The Power of Legitimacy
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23971&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

Saudi-Iranian hostility hits boiling point

Saudi-Iranian hostility hits boiling point

Escalating tensions between Riyadh and Tehran may have played a role in Sunday's suicide strike that killed seven senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps as well as 42 other people in Iran's southeast. Riyadh is concerned that Iran's growing power will erode Saudi pre-eminence in the region, and the Saudis might have a vested interest in disrupting the United States-Iran nuclear talks. - M K Bhadrakumar (Oct 20, '09)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KJ21Ak03.html

Government aid may quicken pace of nuclear revival

Government aid may quicken pace of nuclear revival
The success of the nuclear renaissance hinges on three aspects -- the cost of new reactors, future competition from renewable sources and future fossil fuel prices, according to this opinion article. The U.S. nuclear industry touts unprecedented safety and efficiency records and stands ready to expand in the near future. MIT Technology Review

http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=23709&c

Special Report - Energy - The Dilemma of Aging Nuclear Plants ...

Special Report - Energy - The Dilemma of Aging Nuclear Plants ...
The 40-year life span was a design specification, said Guillaume Wack, director for nuclear plants at the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire, or A.S.N., ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/business/global/20renuke.html?scp=1&sq=Guillaume%20Wack&st=cse

Considering an Alternative Fuel for Nuclear Energy

Considering an Alternative Fuel for Nuclear Energy

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/business/global/20renthorium.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=%20Rajendran%20Raja&st=cse

Pakistani nuclear forces, 2009 BY ROBERT S. NORRIS AND HANS M. KRISTENSEN

Pakistani nuclear forces, 2009
BY ROBERT S. NORRIS AND HANS M. KRISTENSEN
Pakistan is enhancing its nuclear weapon capabilities across the board by developing and deploying new nuclear-capable missiles and expanding its capacity to produce fissile materials for use in weapons.

http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/f828323447768858/?p=acb64a3f200e4a5bb5a76a65804b0802&pi=7

India's quest for dual-use technology Premium BY MATTHEW HOEY

India's quest for dual-use technology Premium
BY MATTHEW HOEY
Over the last 10 years, India has taken on a significant challenge: become a great power in space-, missile-, and nanotechnology, and do it with the help of a new friend--the United States. But is U.S.-Indian technology-sharing still seen as harmless international engagement?

http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/f7u36363444757v8/?p=5b7aa5de8cef466fa33441a027d51e5c&pi=4

Manipulating Public Perceptions Game Plan: If Israel Strikes Iran First By Dan Raviv

Manipulating Public Perceptions
Game Plan: If Israel Strikes Iran First

By Dan Raviv

Retired General Says Israeli Attack to Take Out Iran's Nuclear Facilities Not Only Possible, the U.S. Should Join In. Continue

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23750.htm

Iranian Nuclear Threat Hyped: ElBaradei:

Iranian Nuclear Threat Hyped: ElBaradei:

By Jerusalem Post Staff

The greatest danger in the region, according to ElBaradei, comes from the possibility of an Israeli air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Continue

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23751.htm

Iran warns the West ahead of new nuclear talks

Iran warns the West ahead of new nuclear talks
Vienna (AFP) Oct 19, 2009 - Iran headed into new talks with world powers on its nuclear programme on Monday vowing to step up it uranium enrichment if it does not get what it wants from the negotiations. Iran is to hold talks at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on a proposal for Russia and France to enrich fuel for a research reactor. This would require Iran to hand over the uranium which many western ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_warns_the_West_ahead_of_new_nuclear_talks_999.html

China pointing about 1,500 missiles at Taiwan: Taipei official

China pointing about 1,500 missiles at Taiwan: Taipei official
Taipei (AFP) Oct 19, 2009 - China now has about 1,500 missiles pointed at Taiwan, with no signs that the build-up is about to stop anytime soon, a spokesman for the island's government said Monday. The figure includes short-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, the defence ministry spokesman told AFP on condition of anonymity. "The number of missiles has been rising. We don't know when it will stop ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/China_pointing_about_1500_missiles_at_Taiwan_Taipei_official_999.html

Monday, October 19, 2009

IAEA Discussing Uranium-Enrichment Plan with Iran

IAEA Discussing Uranium-Enrichment Plan with Iran
from VOA News: Top Stories

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-19-voa23.cfm?rss=topstories

Companies set sights on UAE nuclear project worth $41B

* Companies set sights on UAE nuclear project worth $41B
Local and international companies reportedly are setting up offices in Abu Dhabi to be part of a civilian nuclear-power project in the United Arab Emirates that could generate about $41 billion over the next decade. A U.S. commercial nuclear energy mission, which would be coordinated by the Nuclear Energy Institute and the U.S.-UAE Business Council, is scheduled to visit the UAE in December. The visit aims to build and expand relationships with UAE civilian suppliers, contractors and potential partners. Emirates Business 24/7 (United Arab Emirates) (10/18)

http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/10/Pages/17102009/10182009_4a730c461230417abe1e634a5f9d623b.aspx

India allocates nuclear sites to U.S.-led consortia

* India allocates nuclear sites to U.S.-led consortia
India has agreed to allocate sites in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh for the construction of nuclear facilities by U.S.-led groups as part of an expanded cooperation agreement between the two countries to promote peaceful uses of nuclear power. "This development not only promises to deliver greater access to clean and affordable energy and electricity for all Indians, it will also produce jobs and economic opportunities for the people of both India and the U.S.," said U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer. The Hindu (India) (10/19)
http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/19/stories/2009101957560100.htm

Iran to seek guaranteed supply of nuclear fuel at Vienna

Iran to seek guaranteed supply of nuclear fuel at Vienna
Tehran (AFP) Oct 18, 2009 - Iran will enter Vienna talks with the major powers on Monday seeking a guaranteed supply of 20 percent enriched uranium and insisting it will make up any shortfall by domestic production, officials say. Iranian analysts say Tehran will also attempt to allay concerns over its nuclear programme, which Western governments suspect is cover for a drive for a bomb, something the Islamic republic ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Iran_to_seek_guaranteed_supply_of_nuclear_fuel_at_Vienna_999.html

Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Arms Build-Up In India Is Now Getting Attention from War News Updates by Bookyards

The Arms Build-Up In India Is Now Getting Attention
from War News Updates by Bookyards
The medium range, surface-to-surface Prithvi-2 missiles being test fired from mobile launchers at the Integrated Test Range, Balasore off the Orissa coast. Hindu Business

India’s Border Build-Up -- War Is Boring

China’s hostile attitude towards India and its continuing supply of advanced weaponry to Pakistan — most recently the Z9EC anti-submarine helicopter — is driving India into a weapons-acquisition and -modernization spree. Just in the last few weeks, Indian media reported that China has been issuing loose-sheet visas to Indian citizens from the state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), in effect saying for the first time that China does not recognize J&K as Indian territory. Further, the impressive display of Chinese military power at its National Day parade on October 1 has not gone unnoticed in India.

Read more ....
http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/arms-build-up-in-india-is-now-getting.html

More News On India's Military Build-Up
And It's Relations With China

India, Russia agree arms pact likely worth $5 bln -- Reuters
http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-43190720091015

India, Russia to launch fifth generation fighter jets -- Economic Times of India
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/India-Russia-to-launch-fifth-generation-fighter-jets/articleshow/5127502.cms

India, Russia agree to extend military cooperation for 10 years -- Trak.in
http://trak.in/news/india-russia-agree-to-extend-military-cooperation-for-10-years/14488/

India tests nuclear-capable missiles -- Times of The Internet
http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/118348.html

India tests nuclear-capable missiles -- UPI
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2009/10/13/India-tests-nuclear-capable-missiles/UPI-27661255473720/

India Tests Nuke-Capable Missile Twice -- Defense News
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4321067&c=AIR&s=TOP

India, China will continue talks to resolve differences -- The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/17/stories/2009101758060100.htm

India and China in a tit-for-tat spat -- L.A. Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-india-china-tiff15-2009oct15,0,6951444.story

China worried over US-India military cooperation -- Rediff
http://news.rediff.com/column/2009/sep/24/china-worried-over-us-india-military-cooperation.htm

India and China: On A Collission Course? -- Reality Zone
http://realityzone-realityzone.blogspot.com/2009/10/india-and-china-on-collission-course.html

Geo-Strategic Chessboard: War Between India and China? -- Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7453

Chinese Threat on Border and India’s Defence Preparedness -- Mainstream
http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article1691.html

Dangerous Crossroads: U.S. Expands Asian NATO Against China, Russia -- Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=15719

Bordering on Danger: A Sino-Indian boundary dispute risks flaring up -- Wall Street Journal opinion
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574474433189540954.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Is Kazakhstan Providing Nuclear Tech And Materials To Iran?

Is Kazakhstan Providing Nuclear Tech And Materials To Iran?
from War News Updates by Bookyards
Photo: Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev (left) and Iranian President Ahmadinejad in Kazakhstan

Next Nuclear Worry For US: Kazakhstan? -- Christian Science Monitor

So far, the former Soviet state has cooperated with the US on nuclear issues. But a new report suggests that Kazakhstan might be looking to do business with other, less responsible regimes, too.

Washington - Does Kazakhstan want to increase its nuclear commerce – doing deals with other nations that have mixed records when it comes to weapons proliferation? That is a sensitive issue which US intelligence appears to be following closely.

Since it gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan has cooperated with the US on key denuclearization activities. Nuclear weapons stationed on Kazakh territory were returned to Russia and their delivery systems destroyed.

Read more ....
http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/is-kazakhstan-providing-nuclear-tech.html

Update: Kazakh Nuclear Intentions Questioned in U.S. -- Global Security Newswire
http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20091016_1476.php
Another worry for the Obama administration. So much for international sanctions against Iran.