Obama Agrees to Keep Israel's Nukes Secret

Obama Agrees to Keep Israel's Nukes Secret

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/02/president-obama-has-reaffirmed-a-4-decade-old-secr/

Iran Agrees to Send Enriched Uranium to Russia

Iran Agrees to Send Enriched Uranium to Russia
By STEVEN ERLANGER and MARK LANDLER
Published: October 1, 2009

GENEVA — Iran agreed on Thursday in talks with the United States and other major powers to open its newly revealed uranium enrichment plant near Qum to international inspection in the next two weeks and to send most of its openly declared enriched uranium to Russia to be turned into fuel for a small reactor that produces medical isotopes, senior American and other Western officials said.

Iran’s agreement in principle to export most of its enriched uranium for processing — if it happens — would represent a major accomplishment for the West, reducing Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon quickly and buying more time for negotiations to bear fruit.

If Iran has secret stockpiles of enriched uranium, however, the accomplishment would be hollow, a senior American official conceded.

The officials described the long day of talks here with Iran, the first such discussions in which the United States has participated fully, as a modest success on a long and complicated road. Iran had at least finally engaged with the big powers on its nuclear program after more than a year, and had agreed to some tangible, confidence-building steps before another meeting with the same participants before the end of this month.

More…
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/world/middleeast/02nuke.html?_r=2&emc=na

October surprise in US-Iran relations

October surprise in US-Iran relations
The meeting on Thursday between Iran and the six countries dealing with its nuclear case resulted in agreement for a follow-up encounter, in itself an important development, given the heated atmosphere in the lead-up to the talks. As significant, the United States and Iran made an initial direct contact, raising hopes of a real breakthrough. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi (Oct 2, '09)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KJ03Ak01.html

Problems With Obama's Missile Defense - Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

Problems With Obama's Missile Defense - Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/op-eds/technical-flaws-the-obama-missile-defense-plan


Article Highlights

* The Obama administration should be commended for changing course on the Bush administration's plan to deploy missile defense installations in Eastern Europe.
* However, its alternative--using the existing ship-based Aegis defense system to protect Europe from a possible Iranian missile strike--also uses technology that's unproven.
* Additionally, like the Bush plan, the Obama missile defense strategy could potentially embolden hawks in both Russia and China.

Fresh South Korea Nuclear Proposal "Ridiculous": North Jack Kim, Reuters

Fresh South Korea Nuclear Proposal "Ridiculous": North
Jack Kim, Reuters
North Korea Wednesday rejected a proposal by South Korea's president for a fresh deal to end its nuclear arms program in return for massive aid, which he has said was possibly Pyongyang's last chance at survival.
Full Article

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE58T1RS20090930

Oil, Ideology Keep China from Joining Push against Iran

Oil, Ideology Keep China from Joining Push against Iran
John Pomfret, The Washington Post
In its effort to muster support for sterner action against Iran, the Obama administration will have to overcome China's reluctance to punish a country that is one of its top oil suppliers and a major beneficiary of its energy-related investments.
Full Article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/29/AR2009092903697.html

Global Nuclear Power Industry Outlook To 2010

Global Nuclear Power Industry Outlook To 2010
Dublin, Ireland (SPX) Sep 23, 2009 - "Global Nuclear Power Industry Outlook to 2010" is a new report published by Global Markets Direct in association with ICD Research that analyzes how nuclear power generation companies spend, procurement strategies and practices and business are being affected by the recession. In an uncertain economic climate this report gives you access to the category-level spending outlooks, buyer ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Global_Nuclear_Power_Industry_Outlook_To_2010_999.html

Canada, Kazakhstan to cooperate on nuclear energy

Canada, Kazakhstan to cooperate on nuclear energy
Ottawa (AFP) Sept 24, 2009 - Canada's Trade Minister Stockwell Day and Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Sauat Mynbaev jointly announced Thursday the conclusion of negotiations for a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. Their respective governments, however, must still finalize the legal text prior to signing and implementing the pact. "This agreement will open up the civil nuclear market to Canadian companies, who ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Canada_Kazakhstan_to_cooperate_on_nuclear_energy_999.html

China approves building of coastal nuclear plant

China approves building of coastal nuclear plant
Beijing (AFP) Sept 28, 2009 - China has approved the construction of a new nuclear plant in its eastern coastal region, in the latest step in Beijing's plan to include more clean energy in the country's consumption mix. The State Council, or cabinet, issued a licence last week for the building of the first phase of the Haiyang nuclear power station in Shandong province, the State-owned Assets Supervision and ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/China_approves_building_of_coastal_nuclear_plant_999.html

Lithuania says nuclear deal due in 2010

Lithuania says nuclear deal due in 2010
Vilnius (AFP) Sept 30, 2009 - Lithuania said Wednesday it aimed in the first six months of 2010 to sign a key investment deal in a four-nation nuclear power project to replace a Soviet-era plant set to shut down within months. "The plan is to sign a contract with the strategic investor in the first half of 2010," Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokas told reporters, referring to the as-yet unchosen player that will steer the ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Lithuania_says_nuclear_deal_due_in_2010_999.html

Germany eyes nuclear revival

Germany eyes nuclear revival
Berlin (UPI) Sep 28, 2009 - Nuclear energy is set to be revived in Germany as Chancellor Angela Merkel can form her coalition of choice after this Sunday's elections. Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union and the pro-business Free Democratic Party were in coalition negotiations Monday; a government will be formed within the next four weeks, the chancellor said. With the CDU and the FDP both ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Germany_eyes_nuclear_revival_999.html

India plans massive nuclear energy boost

India plans massive nuclear energy boost
New Delhi (UPI) Sep 30, 2009 - India aims to boost its nuclear energy capacity by 12,000 percent by 2050. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in making the announcement Tuesday at a New Delhi conference on peaceful uses of nuclear power, predicted that India could produce 470 gigawatts of nuclear power. That would make India the largest nuclear energy producer in the world, surpassing the United States, which now ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/India_plans_massive_nuclear_energy_boost_999.html

Iran to propose third-party uranium enrichment: Ahmadinejad

Iran to propose third-party uranium enrichment: Ahmadinejad
Tehran (AFP) Sept 30, 2009 - Iran will propose that it is prepared to buy from a third party uranium enriched to the grade it requires for its Tehran reactor rather than carry out the enrichment itself, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday. His remarks, ahead of Thursday talks in Geneva with six major world powers about Iran's nuclear programme, represent the first time Tehran has agreed to discuss specifics ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_to_propose_third-party_uranium_enrichment_Ahmadinejad_999.html

# India targets major increase in nuclear energy capacity by 2050

# India targets major increase in nuclear energy capacity by 2050
India's development plan for nuclear energy is aimed at raising the country's atomic capacity by 12,000% by 2050, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. The target is nearly five times the capacity of the U.S., the largest nuclear producer in the world, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Such an expansion will provide "huge opportunities for the global nuclear industry," Singh said during a conference in Delhi. The Times (London)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6854501.ece

Republicans call for more nuclear energy in Senate climate bill

Republicans call for more nuclear energy in Senate climate bill
A climate-change bill set to be unveiled today by Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and John Kerry, D-Mass., seeks a greater cut in carbon emissions than does the House-approved legislation. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he would not back the bill because it does not help the nuclear energy sector. Republicans want to encourage the construction of nuclear plants by including more government assistance in the measure, contending that the resource is key to expanding "clean energy." Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE58S5X320090929

Sources: U.S.-UAE nuclear agreement to take effect next month

Sources: U.S.-UAE nuclear agreement to take effect next month
A nuclear-cooperation pact between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates is reportedly expected to be implemented next month. Energy firms General Electric and Toshiba unit Westinghouse Electric might benefit from the deal, which President Obama cleared in May. The UAE was among major oil exporters as of 2007, but it plans to construct several nuclear reactors to meet a projected extra demand for 40,000 megawatts of electricity. Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN2917079920090929

Is the Media Exaggerating the Iranian Nuke Threat? by Juan Cole

Is the Media Exaggerating the Iranian Nuke Threat? by Juan Cole

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/09/29/cole/

A MANUFACTURED CRISIS, Part 2 It's sanctions or bust

A MANUFACTURED CRISIS, Part 2
It's sanctions or bust
Something about the claims by the United States and its allies that Iran's nuclear program is intended to create nuclear weapons just doesn't smell right; there's obviously more than meets the eye. Whatever it is, the Barack Obama administration - of all the options on the table - wants at a minimum to impose stringent sanctions on Iran. - Jack A Smith (Sep 30, '09)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KJ01Ak03.html

This is the second article in a three-part report.
PART 1: The facts of the matter
http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KI30Ak01.html

Venezuela Exploring Uranium Deposits with Russia Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press

Venezuela Exploring Uranium Deposits with Russia
Fabiola Sanchez, Associated Press
Venezuela's science and technology minister said his country is working with Russia to detect deposits of uranium but withdrew an earlier denial that the country was also working with Iran.
Full Article
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hMt4kLz-pHgt5p-bk-ZORH-w68AAD9AVGR800

* Why We Should Be Concerned About Venezuela's Nuclear Ambitions
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23878&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

Brazil VP Says Country Should Build Nuclear Arms Marco Sibaja, Associated Press

Brazil VP Says Country Should Build Nuclear Arms
Marco Sibaja, Associated Press
Brazil's vice president says in an interview published Friday that his country should develop nuclear weapons. Other officials stressed that his comments were not government policy.
Full Article
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gisOuvIjL6Ewq0QTTmNLA9oBt25wD9AUDRO00

Singh Attacks Nuclear Treaty James Lamont, Financial Times

Singh Attacks Nuclear Treaty
James Lamont, Financial Times
India's prime minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday criticised the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as not being up to the "formidable" task of protecting the world from nuclear terrorism just days after Barack Obama appealed to world leaders to support the Treaty.
Full Article
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cb5b3a26-acf5-11de-91dc-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

Security Council Adopts Nuclear Weapons Resolution Glenn Kessler and Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post

Security Council Adopts Nuclear Weapons Resolution
Glenn Kessler and Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a U.S-drafted resolution Thursday morning that affirms many of the steps President Obama plans to pursue as part of his vision for an eventual "world without nuclear weapons."
Full Article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092401721.html

* Two First Steps on Nuclear Weapons
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/opinion/25gorbachev.html?_r=1&bl

* UN Nuclear Talks
http://carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23896&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

What Else Is Iran Hiding? Nima Gerami and James M. Acton, Foreign Policy

What Else Is Iran Hiding?
Nima Gerami and James M. Acton, Foreign Policy
Finding himself caught in a sudden media storm while in New York last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tried to defend his government's construction of a second centrifuge facility, buried inside a mountain near the city of Qom.
Full Article
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23899&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

* Iran Violated International Obligations on Qom Facility
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23884&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

Iran Pressured Over New Plant Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post

Iran Pressured Over New Plant
Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post
AhmadinejadEditor's Note: The location of Iran's clandestine centrifuge facility, as provided by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), has not been confirmed by Iran, the United States, or the International Atomic Energy Agency.

At talks scheduled for Thursday in Geneva with Iran, the United States and five other major powers will demand immediate and unfettered access to the newly exposed nuclear facility in Iran, including access to people and documents involved in its construction, and they will insist that Tehran abide by international rules to reveal such projects before construction begins, Obama administration officials said Saturday.
Full Article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/26/AR2009092602022.html

* ISIS Imagery Brief: Possible Qom Enrichment Facility Sites (PDF)
http://www.isisnucleariran.org/assets/pdf/Qom_Imagery_Brief_25Sept2009.pdf

* Politico Q&A: Nuclear Iran
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23903&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

* Washington Post Q&A: Iran's Nuclear Program
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23883&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

The shared sins of Soviet and U.S. nuclear testing BY HUGH GUSTERSON

The shared sins of Soviet and U.S. nuclear testing
BY HUGH GUSTERSON
A new documentary helps illustrate the sad truth that neither the totalitarian Soviet Union nor the democratic United States protected those most affected by their testing programs.

http://thebulletin.org/web-edition/columnists/hugh-gusterson/the-shared-sins-of-soviet-and-us-nuclear-testing

The world must abolish nuclear weapons BY MARAT TAZHIN

The world must abolish nuclear weapons
BY MARAT TAZHIN
Looking back at a 60-year legacy of Soviet nuclear testing in his country, the secretary of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee writes that the world must rededicate itself to abolishing nuclear weapons.

http://thebulletin.org/web-edition/op-eds/the-world-must-abolish-nuclear-weapons

The lasting toll of Semipalatinsk's nuclear testing BY TOGZHAN KASSENOVA

The lasting toll of Semipalatinsk's nuclear testing
BY TOGZHAN KASSENOVA
On August 29, 1949, the Soviet Union exploded its first nuclear weapon at the Semipalatinsk Test Site on the Kazakh steppe. Today, six decades later, the health impacts are still being felt.

http://thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/the-lasting-toll-of-semipalatinsks-nuclear-testing

India Poised for Major Expansion of Nuclear Power

India Poised for Major Expansion of Nuclear Power
from VOA News: Top Stories
'If we can manage our program well, our three-stage strategy could yield potentially 4,70,000 megawatts of power, by the year 2050,' says Indian PM

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-29-voa23.cfm?rss=topstories

* Nuclear project secures license from China's State Council

* Nuclear project secures license from China's State Council
China's State Council has approved the construction of the Haiyang nuclear power facility in Shandong province, the Assets Supervision and Administration Commission said. The first phase of the project involves building two reactors that will use the AP1000 third-generation technology from U.S. firm Westinghouse Electric, the agency said. The reactors are expected to each have a capacity of 1.25 gigawatts. Google/Agence France-Presse

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gRXGzDGl2pewp1ABmw0-OXWkFljg

Mr. Delusional Web Exclusive by Nikolas K. Gvosdev Obama thinks Russia is going to help him denuclearize Iran. Don’t bet on it.

Mr. Delusional Web Exclusive
by Nikolas K. Gvosdev
Obama thinks Russia is going to help him denuclearize Iran. Don’t bet on it.

http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=22222

Iran Insists on Its ‘Rights’ to Nuclear Program

*
Iran Insists on Its ‘Rights’ to Nuclear Program

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/world/middleeast/30tehran.html?hpw

What About Israel's Nukes? - Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, The Independent

What About Israel's Nukes?
- Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/yasmin-alibhai-brown/yasmin-alibhaibrown-dont-israels-nuclear-weapons-count-1794275.html

Problems With Obama's Missile Defense - Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

Problems With Obama's Missile Defense - Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/op-eds/technical-flaws-the-obama-missile-defense-plan

Juan Cole - The Most Dangerous Nuclear Facility

Juan Cole - The Most Dangerous Nuclear Facility

It is Israel's ongoing nuclear weapon production that drives the nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Saddam wanted a bomb because Israel had one. The Iranians were then worried both about an Iraqi and an Israeli bomb. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others are annoyed at their geostrategic helplessness in the face of Israeli nukes.

http://www.opednews.com/populum/linkframe.php?linkid=98267

A Nuclear Debate: Is Iran Designing Warheads?

A Nuclear Debate: Is Iran Designing Warheads?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/world/middleeast/29nuke.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Don't Israel's Nuclear Weapons Count? by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, 9/28/2009

Don't Israel's Nuclear Weapons Count? by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, 9/28/2009

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/yasmin-alibhai-brown/yasmin-alibhaibrown-dont-israels-nuclear-weapons-count-1794275.html

Iran test-fires two long-range missiles

Iran test-fires two long-range missiles
Tehran (AFP) Sept 28, 2009 - Iran on Monday test-fired its two long-range missiles which it says could hit targets in arch-foe Israel, as the Revolutionary Guards staged war games for the second straight day. The exercises coincide with heightened tension with the West after the UN nuclear watchdog revealed on Friday that Tehran was building a second uranium enrichment plant. Western countries suspect Iran of seeking ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_test-fires_two_long-range_missiles_999.html

Keeping Iran honest

Keeping Iran honest: Iran's secret nuclear plant will spark a new round of IAEA inspections and lead to a period of even greater transparency - Scott Ritter, guardian.co.uk: When Obama announced that 'Iran is breaking rules that all nations must follow', he is technically and legally wrong.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/sep/25/iran-secret-nuclear-plant-inspections

September 'Surprise' The countdown to war begins, says Justin Raimondo

September 'Surprise'

The countdown to war begins, says Justin Raimondo

http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2009/09/27/september-surprise-2/

MI6: Saudis Will Let Israel Bomb Iran Nuclear Site

MI6: Saudis Will Let Israel Bomb Iran Nuclear Site

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/09/27/mi6-saudis-will-let-israel-bomb-iran-nuclear-site/

Clinton: Iran Can't Claim Nuclear Site Is Peaceful
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/09/27/clinton-nothing-iran-can-do-to-convince-us-nuclear-program-is-peaceful/

Iran Vows to Stick With Low-Level Nuclear Enrichment
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090927/wl_afp/irannuclearpolitics

Iran Test-Fires Short-Range Missiles

http://wire.antiwar.com/2009/09/27/iran-test-fires-short-range-missiles-9/

Time For Iran To 'Come Clean'

Time For Iran To 'Come Clean'



Last Friday at the start of the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, President Obama -- flanked by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and with the support of German Chancellor Angela Merkel -- revealed the existence of a secret Iranian uranium enrichment facility near the seminary city of Qom, 60 miles south of Tehran. Obama reportedly decided to disclose the undeclared enrichment plant after Iran discovered that Western intelligence agencies had breached the secrecy surrounding the project. Last Monday, soon after Iran learned of the Western espionage, the regime delivered a "vague, terse" letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog that a facility is under construction -- "one that had never been mentioned during years" of IAEA inspections at another nuclear facility in Natanz. While the Iranians argued that construction of the site is "completely legal," Obama offered harsh criticism of Iran's covert operation. "Iran's decision to build yet another nuclear facility without notifying the IAEA represents a direct challenge to the basic compact at the center of the non-proliferation regime," he said, adding, "It is time for Iran to act immediately to restore the confidence of the international community by fulfilling its international obligations."

IRAN 'IN A VERY BAD SPOT': While Iran's nuclear chief said the IAEA would be invited to visit the newly disclosed site, he did not specify a timeframe. Indeed, the Obama administration's first diplomatic encounter with Iran will take place this Thursday in Geneva, along with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China. Yesterday, Iran test-fired three short range missiles that "appeared to be a show of military power." Nonetheless, President Obama offered tough rhetoric ahead of the talks. "Iran is on notice that when we meet with them on Oct. 1 they are going to have to come clean and they are going to have to make a choice" between giving up nuclear aspirations or increased isolation, the President said. Refusal to give ground will lead to "a path that is going to lead to confrontation," Obama said, adding, "When we find that diplomacy does not work, we will be in a much stronger position to, for example, apply sanctions that have bite." European diplomats sounded the alarm as well. Defense Secretary Robert Gates echoed Obama's stern warnings yesterday, saying that the secret facility puts the Iranian government "in a very bad spot," raising the prospect of "severe additional sanctions." While Gates said any military option would only "buy time," other senior officials said the Obama administration plans to te ll the Iranian delegation in Geneva that it must open the new site to international inspectors "within weeks." "If Iran repeats its line on Thursday that the nuclear file is closed and that there is nothing to discuss, then we will move straight to sanctions" an unnamed senior European diplomat on Sunday. "But I don't think the Iranians will be that stupid."

WILL MOSCOW GET TOUGH?: Another unnamed European diplomat noted that "the Russians feel Iran isn't taking their expressions of concern seriously and that is clearly irritating Moscow a lot." The diplomat cautioned that "it is still unclear how far Russia, or indeed China would go down the sanctions road." But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev "hardened Russia's stance on Iran's nuclear program on Friday after the US, Britain and France revealed that Tehran" has been constructing the secret facility. Medvedev -- who Obama briefed on Thursday about the uranium enrichment site -- said, "I don't consider sanctions the best way to achieve results on Iran...but all the same, if all possibilities to influence the situation are exhausted, then we can use international sanctions." "President Obama is slowly putting Iran in a box," said Juan Cole, Professor of History at the University of Michigan. Despite denials of any quid pro quo, a more cooperative Russian tone has followed Obama's cancellation of "the useless and expensive so-called missile shield program." While China responded to the revelations of Iran's second enrichment facility "more neutrally," many Western diplomats "have long believed that if Ru ssia throws its weight behind sanctions China will follow, wishing to avoid isolation in the UN Security Council."

THE RIGHT WING'S PREDICTABLE REACTION: Conservative senators reacted to the news of Iran's secret facility in predictable fashion, echoing much of the rhetoric coming out the the Bush administration over the last eight years: "regime change." "What we're trying to do here eventually is to get a regime change with a group of people in there that are more representative of the Iranian people," Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) said yesterday. "At a certain point, talking is counterproductive rather than productive because time is not on our side," he said, adding later that "the carrot approach does not work with these people." Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) pushed regime change yesterday too. "We have to have strong sanctions, economic sanctions that can force either a regime change or the Ayatollahs to change their policy," he said. But it's clear now that the Bush administration's refusal to engage Iran (at least only until the waning days of Bush's tenure) and its "regime change" rhetoric served only to embolden Iran's hardliners within the country. And instead of accepting -- or even responding to -- Iran's offer of engagement in 2003, President Bush lumped the Islamic Republic into the now infamous "axis of evil." Eight years of the Bush administration's disengagement with Iran has only led to its nuclear program growing in size and scope. "The U.S. right wing accused Obama of a failure of nerve," Cole noted, "But in fact his move was shrewd and gutsy, since he predisposed Russia to increased cooperation." Jon Ward of The Washington Times writes, "Not only did the president look strong, he looked cunning."

Safety issues may prompt China to slow pace of nuclear expansion

Safety issues may prompt China to slow pace of nuclear expansion
China may delay its construction of nuclear power facilities to focus on safety measures at the plants, said Zhang Guobao, chief of the National Energy Administration. The country originally wanted to reach 40 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2020, which would require building about two reactors annually. "We'd rather move slower and achieve less than incur potential safety concerns in terms of nuclear energy," Zhang said during an energy conference. Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSPEK22780320090927

Nuclear Weapons Science: How to Build a Bomb Fox News - September 23, 2009

Nuclear Weapons Science: How to Build a Bomb

Fox News - September 23, 2009

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,554281,00.html

India, Mongolia sign uranium agreement

India, Mongolia sign uranium agreement
New Delhi (UPI) Sep 15, 2009 - India signed a civil nuclear energy agreement with uranium-rich Mongolia on Monday. The memorandum of understanding for "peaceful use of radioactive minerals and nuclear energy" was signed during Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia's state visit to India. According to a statement issued by the Mongolian presidency, Indian officials expressed a "willingness to cooperate in ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/India_Mongolia_sign_uranium_agreement_999.html

Algeria claims 29,000 tonnes in uranium reserves

Algeria claims 29,000 tonnes in uranium reserves
Algiers (AFP) Sept 24, 2009 - Nearly 29,000 tonnes of proven and exploitable uranium reserves lie beneath the ground in Algeria, its energy and mines minister Chakib Khelil said Thursday. "Such quantities would enable the operation of just two nuclear power plants, each with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, for a period of 60 years," said Khelil at a domestic energy conference, the APS news agency reported. ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Algeria_claims_29000_tonnes_in_uranium_reserves_999.html

Canada, Kazakhstan to cooperate on nuclear energy

Canada, Kazakhstan to cooperate on nuclear energy
Ottawa (AFP) Sept 24, 2009 - Canada's Trade Minister Stockwell Day and Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Sauat Mynbaev jointly announced Thursday the conclusion of negotiations for a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. Their respective governments, however, must still finalize the legal text prior to signing and implementing the pact. "This agreement will open up the civil nuclear market to Canadian companies, who ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Canada_Kazakhstan_to_cooperate_on_nuclear_energy_999.html

+ Ux Consulting Issues Global Nuclear Power Forecasts

+ Ux Consulting Issues Global Nuclear Power Forecasts
Roswell GA (SPX) Sep 25, 2009 - The Ux Consulting Company has announced the release of its latest Nuclear Power Outlook (NPO), which forecasts worldwide nuclear reactor growth through 2030. In addition, UxC is pleased to introduce its latest nuclear fuel requirements forecasts through 2030 created with its new, proprietary UxC Requirements Model (URM). Since 2007, UxC has presented its unique nuclear power forecasts in ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Ux_Consulting_Issues_Global_Nuclear_Power_Forecasts_999.html

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Leads With World's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Leads With World's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor


Wilmington NC (SPX) Sep 28, 2009 - GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has announced it has achieved a key milestone in deploying the world's most advanced nuclear reactor design. GEH has completed its submittal of the design certification document for the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). With the submittal, GEH has provided detailed information for the NRC to ... more

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/GE_Hitachi_Nuclear_Energy_Leads_With_World_Most_Advanced_Nuclear_Reactor_999.html

US seeks 'unified' call on NKorea nuclear talks: envoy

US seeks 'unified' call on NKorea nuclear talks: envoy
Hanoi (AFP) Sept 27, 2009 - The United States wants its partners in the six-nation forum on North Korea's nuclear disarmament to send Pyongyang a "unified" message to return to the talks, a senior US envoy said Sunday. US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, who is visiting Hanoi as part of a five-nation Asian tour, said he hoped Washington's allies would continue working together on getting North Korea back to ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_seeks_unified_call_on_NKorea_nuclear_talks_envoy_999.html

Leaders Take New Missile Defense Plan To US Congress

Leaders Take New Missile Defense Plan To US Congress
Washington DC (SPX) Sep 28, 2009 - President Barack Obama's decision to restructure a previous missile defense plan designed to protect Europe from a possible ballistic missile attack from Iran provides a more effective, flexible system that will take less time to implement, senior Pentagon officials said on Capitol Hill. "We are confident that our new approach represents a dramatic improvement over the program of old," ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Leaders_Take_New_Missile_Defense_Plan_To_US_Congress_999.html

Russia: Iran's enigmatic ally and key crisis player

Russia: Iran's enigmatic ally and key crisis player
Moscow (AFP) Sept 27, 2009 - Russia, which has the deepest relations with Iran of any big power, is to play a critical role in the Iranian nuclear crisis in the next months as the clock ticks on efforts to find a diplomatic solution. Moscow is a key supplier of military hardware to Tehran, a reliable trade partner in difficult times and is building Iran's first nuclear power plant -- subtle levers to pressure Tehran ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Russia_Irans_enigmatic_ally_and_key_crisis_player_999.html

Iran vows to stick with low-level nuclear enrichment

Iran vows to stick with low-level nuclear enrichment
Tehran (AFP) Sept 27, 2009 - Iran will keep its uranium enrichment level at up to five percent -- much lower than bomb-grade -- its nuclear chief said on Sunday after news of Tehran's new atomic facility sparked a global outcry. "We don't want to change the arrangement of five-percent enrichment merely to produce 150 to 300 kilos of 20-percent (enriched) fuel," ILNA news agency quoted Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_vows_to_stick_with_low-level_nuclear_enrichment_999.html

West demands access to Iran's secret nuclear plant

West demands access to Iran's secret nuclear plant
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (AFP) Sept 25, 2009 - World leaders on Friday demanded access for UN inspectors to a secret Iranian nuclear plant, threatening tough new sanctions should Tehran refuse to come clean. In a dramatic announcement, US President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tehran admitted to the UN nuclear watchdog that it had built a second uranium enrichment facility. ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/West_demands_access_to_Irans_secret_nuclear_plant_999.html

Another Nuclear Plant: The calculations of Iran's nearness to building a bomb

Another Nuclear Plant: The calculations of Iran's nearness to building a bomb -- and the urgency of stopping it -- just changed – Editorial, Washington Post: The United States must make clear to those governments that it will not settle for inaction against a regime that is brazenly defying international treaties and U.N. Security Council resolutions. At the same time, the administration should reassess the intelligence community's conclusion about whether and how quickly Iran is seeking a weapon.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/25/AR2009092503389_pf.html

Analysis: Obama strikes a tough tone on Iran:

Analysis: Obama strikes a tough tone on Iran:

But the diplomacy needed to get Iran to halt its nuclear program will require more than tone - C.M. Sennott - GlobalPost: "At the Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh, President Barack Obama locked arms with the leaders of France and the United Kingdom to warn Iran that it must immediately halt its nuclear program. … In the city of bridges, Obama essentially threatened Iran that it has just burned one too many with the international community. But in choosing to do so on the public stage of Pittsburgh’s G20 summit with all the world’s media watching and looking for any story more interesting than a long-winded communique on the economy, Obama was essentially doing what he does best. That is, public diplomacy. And, as always, his tone is pretty close to perfect. He sounded firm, convincing and respectfully multilateral, and that tone goes a long way to swooning the world. It gets people around the globe to believe that the real America is rational and a natural leader in a dangerous world. This is a decidedly different image from the unilateral and seemingly belligerent America put forward by President George W. Bush. But former diplomats and Middle East analysts believe Obama will need more than perfect pitch in the public diplomacy of Iran, which interlocks directly with the profound policy challenges on Afghanistan, Iraq and the wider goal of global nuclear proliferation. This is chess on many levels, not pop music."

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/090925/obama-strikes-tough-tone-iran

Obama's Announcement About Iran's Secret Enrichment Facility - Brookings Institution:

Obama's Announcement About Iran's Secret Enrichment Facility - Brookings Institution:

"The Obama Administration should gain some boost for its public diplomacy efforts to persuade skeptical governments and the international community more broadly of the dangerous nature of Iran’s nuclear program. But here too, there is probably less than meets the eye; at this late date in the debate, the Iranian regime has relatively few defenders, and anyone who still needing convincing that Iran’s massive, frantic nuclear investments involved something more worrisome than civilian power generation probably will find a way to disregard this latest evidence. … [T]he difficulty with assembling international support for robust economic measures against Iran has never involved doubt over Iran’s intentions or differences over the desirability of preventing Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold. Rather, the long track record of Russia and China on this issue has made it clear that neither capital will fully jettison its strategically and economically valuable relationship with Tehran in order to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions."

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0925_iran_nuclear_maloney.aspx