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

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

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.

Dangerous Crossroads: U.S. Expands Asian NATO Against China, Russia

Dangerous Crossroads: U.S. Expands Asian NATO Against China, Russia
- by Rick Rozoff - 2009-10-17

http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=15719

How Can We Tell If A Country Is Making Nuclear Power Or Nuclear Weapons?

How Can We Tell If A Country Is Making Nuclear Power Or Nuclear Weapons?
Bombs or Power?: Centrifuges are usually arranged in a triangular cascade; the layout tips inspectors to its purpose. Weapons require heavily enriched uranium, so the triangle is long and narrow; power takes more fuel, so the cascade is short and fat. McKibillo

From Popular Science:

It's all about enrichment.

Just about everyone insists that Iran’s nuclear program is aimed at building weapons. Iran claims it only wants nuclear power. So how do weapons inspectors get at the truth? They study the country’s supply and treatment of uranium, one of the most abundant nuclear materials on the planet.

Read more ....
http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-can-we-tell-if-country-is-making.html
Comment: Kudos to Popular Science for writing a post that is easy for the layman to understand.

The Language Of Limbo

The Language Of Limbo
From Threats Watch:

Language Indicates US Ceding Leadership And Principle To Russia On Iran.

Are we winning the diplomatic battle with Iran? Are we, for that matter, winning the diplomatic battle with Russia, which, with China, serves as Iran's principal protectorate? To put it necessarily bluntly, there is no indication that we are and every indication that we are indeed losing. Not simply losing, but ceding. A brief but careful examination of language reveals the unfortunate and frustrating truth.

Read more ....

My Comment: The short answer is no .... we are not winning the diplomatic battle with Iran, and what is worse is that Iran knows this.
Posted by Bookyards at 4:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: iran nuclear crisis

http://threatswatch.org/commentary/2009/10/the-language-of-limbo/

Areva plans nuclear fuel facility in Japan

Areva plans nuclear fuel facility in Japan
France's Areva announced it intends to construct a nuclear fuel-processing plant in Japan, more than doubling the nation's nuclear capacity in the face of rising demand. The facility, a joint project with Mitsubishi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will be used to turn enriched uranium into uranium oxide, according to Areva executive Remy Autebert. Japan will add 12 reactors over the next 10 years, with its nuclear dependency expected to reach 40% by 2030. Bloomberg

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601130&sid=aphLWO01YX6M

Report: India forges civilian nuclear deal with Argentina

Report: India forges civilian nuclear deal with Argentina
India has signed a civilian nuclear agreement with Argentina. The nations' nuclear experts will join forces to "encourage and support scientific technical and commercial co-operation for mutual benefit in this field," according to a joint statement. Argentina became the seventh country to strike such a deal since the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted its decades-long moratorium on nuclear commerce with India. The Hindu Business Line (India)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/15/stories/2009101551491500.htm

Obama emphasizes need for nuclear energy to cut carbon emissions

Obama emphasizes need for nuclear energy to cut carbon emissions
President Barack Obama voiced support for the use of nuclear energy as the country looks for ways to curb greenhouse-gas emissions. "There's no reason why technologically we can't employ nuclear energy in a safe and effective way," Obama said during a conference in New Orleans. Reuters
http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINN1531614920091015

Israel will ensure 'survival' against Iran threat: minister

Israel will ensure 'survival' against Iran threat: minister
Brussels (AFP) Oct 15, 2009 - Israel reserves the right to take whatever action is needed to survive in the face of Iran's nuclear ambitions, the Jewish state's far-right infrastructure minister, Uzi Landau, said. "We'll take the actions that are necessary for our survival, we'll do whatever is necessary at that time," he told AFP late Wednesday, expressing regret that EU nations did not see the Islamic republic as a maj ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Israel_will_ensure_survival_against_Iran_threat_minister_999.html

NKorea sees peace pact with US as key to nuclear disarmament

NKorea sees peace pact with US as key to nuclear disarmament
Seoul (AFP) Oct 14, 2009 - North Korea called Wednesday for a peace pact with the United States, saying this was a "most reasonable and practical" way to end the long standoff over its nuclear weapons programme. "A peace accord should be concluded between (North Korea) and the US if the nuclear issue on the peninsula is to be settled," the ruling communist party newspaper Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary. Such ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/NKorea_sees_peace_pact_with_US_as_key_to_nuclear_disarmament_999.html

Obama's new missile defense plan

Obama's new missile defense plan
Warsaw, Poland (UPI) Oct 15, 2009 - Experts are optimistic that U.S. President Barack Obama's new missile defense plan for Eastern Europe is better than the old one. Obama's new plan, the so-called "phased, adaptive approach" for a European missile defense system features a combination of fixed (ground-based) and relocatable (on U.S. warships) Standard Missile 3 interceptors and radars that focuses mainly on the threat fr ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Obamas_new_missile_defense_plan_999.html

Too early' to focus on Iran sanctions: Russia's Putin

Too early' to focus on Iran sanctions: Russia's Putin
Beijing (AFP) Oct 14, 2009 - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that it was "too early" to discuss new sanctions against Iran, as world powers try to defuse the standoff over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. Putin's comments, which came during a visit to Beijing, were his first since the revelation late last month that Iran is building a new uranium enrichment plant near its holy city of Qom, reviv ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Too_early_to_focus_on_Iran_sanctions_Russias_Putin_999.html

US documents point to secret Japan nuclear pact

US documents point to secret Japan nuclear pact
Washington (AFP) Oct 13, 2009 - Despite decades of denials by Washington and Tokyo, US officials believe they enjoyed a secret pact to transport nuclear weapons through Japan, newly declassified documents showed. The disclosure came after Japan's left-leaning government ended more than half a century of conservative rule and launched a probe into thousands of files to settle longstanding suspicions of a hush-hush pact. ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_documents_point_to_secret_Japan_nuclear_pact_999.html

OSC VIEWS NUCLEAR COMMERCE IN KAZAKHSTAN

OSC VIEWS NUCLEAR COMMERCE IN KAZAKHSTAN

"Kazakhstan, which is second only to Australia in uranium reserves and exceptionally appealing to nuclear nations that require uranium, has entered into agreements or joint ventures with many countries and corporations," a new analysis (pdf) from the DNI Open Source Center observes. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/kazakhstan/osc100609.pdf

Kazakhstan has embarked on cooperative civilian nuclear projects with countries including the U.S., Russia, China, Brazil, Canada, France, India, and others, possibly including Iran.

"Some serious issues lurk behind the veneer of the government's political and commercial success," the OSC analysis says. These include "an unclear line of power succession,... which could facilitate nuclear deals with international partners with mixed proliferation records."

"The country is corrupt and has corrupt practices," the OSC declares. "Kazakhstan's mineral riches have supplied many a thief with wealth." See "Kazakhstan -- Opening Up for Nuclear Collaboration," Open Source Center, October 6, 2009.

Kazakhstan relinquished the nuclear weapons that it inherited from the former Soviet Union in 1995. It has also accepted IAEA safeguards and the Additional Protocol.

The Cato Institute invites you to a Book Forum Atomic Obsession: Nuclear Alarmism from Hiroshima to Al Qaeda (Oxford University Press, 2009)

Cato Institute

The Cato Institute invites you to a Book Forum
Atomic Obsession: Nuclear Alarmism
from Hiroshima to Al Qaeda
(Oxford University Press, 2009)

featuring the author
John Mueller
Woody Hayes Chair of National Security Studies, Ohio State University

with comments by
Michael Krepon
Co-Founder, Henry L. Stimson Center

and
Jeffrey G. Lewis
Director, Nuclear Strategy and Nonproliferation Initiative,
New America Foundation

moderated by
Justin Logan
Associate Director of Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute

Atomic Obsession: Nuclear Alarmism from Hiroshima to Al Qaeda
Purchase at AmazonHaving informed readers in previous books that their fears of war and terrorism are overblown, iconoclastic political scientist John Mueller has set his sights on nuclear weapons. For Mueller, nuclear weapons have never represented much of a threat given states' fundamental unwillingness to use them. Moreover, our current worries about terrorists obtaining such weapons are essentially baseless. As Mueller points out, there is a multitude of reasons why terrorists will not be able to obtain nuclear weapons, much less build them themselves and successfully transport them to targets. Atomic Obsession concludes with a judgment that our efforts to prevent the spread of WMDs have produced much more suffering and violence than would have been the case if we took a more realistic view of such weapons.

Please join us for a discussion of this provocative new book.

Thursday, October 29, 2009
11:00 a.m.
(Luncheon to follow)

Cato Book Forums and luncheons are free of charge.
To register, visit www.cato.org, fax (202) 371-0841,
or call (202) 789-5229 by 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 28.
News media inquiries only (no registrations), please call (202) 789-5200.
If you can't make it to the Cato Institute, watch this Forum live online at www.cato.org.

The Lost Prestige of Nuclear Physics

The Lost Prestige of Nuclear Physics

Nuclear physics was once considered the pinnacle of man’s effort to know reality; its image was tarnished by association with the bomb’s destructive violence. In EPPC's journal The New Atlantis, N. J. Slabbert traces the drop in public esteem and argues that a return to nuclear science and technology is crucial to American vitality.

http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-lost-prestige-of-nuclear-physics

India tests nuclear-capable missiles

India tests nuclear-capable missiles
New Delhi (UPI) Oct 13, 2009 - In quick succession, India test-fired short-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The two advanced versions of the Prithvi-II surface-to-surface ballistic missiles have a range of up to 217 miles. They were launched from Chandur in the east state of Orissa into the Bay of Negal. "The two P-II missiles, which can carry 500kg warheads were successfully ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/India_tests_nuclear-capable_missiles_999.html

ASEAN Response to Nuclear Risks Mark Fitzpatrick, The Japan Times

ASEAN Response to Nuclear Risks
Mark Fitzpatrick, The Japan Times
As the nuclear renaissance comes to Southeast Asia, the countries of the region face an important turning point. Decisions taken today will help determine whether nuclear energy will play a positive role in their economic development, or whether a shadow of nuclear danger will accompany the benefits of this energy source.
Full Article
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20091011a1.html

North Korea Fires 5 Missiles

North Korea Fires 5 Missiles
Blaine Harden, The Washington Post
North Korea fired five short-range missiles into the sea Monday and declared a navigation ban in waters off its eastern and western coasts, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
Full Article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/12/AR2009101200650.html

How to Manage a Nuclear Iran

How to Manage a Nuclear Iran
Gregory L. Schulte, Foreign Policy
On Sept. 25, flanked by his French and British counterparts, Barack Obama announced that Iran was building a second underground facility for uranium enrichment. The U.S. president warned that Iran's decision to build yet another nuclear facility without notifying the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) represented a direct challenge to the nonproliferation regime.
Full Article
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/10/08/how_to_manage_a_nuclear_iran

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

Russia Moves on Iran Sanctions

Russia Moves on Iran Sanctions
Charles Clover and James Blitz, Financial Times
Russian president Dmitry Medevdev told Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, that sanctions should be imposed on Iran if it does not implement promises to the international community on its nuclear programme, a US official told reporters last night.
Full Article
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ed6c641e-b7f9-11de-8ca9-00144feab49a,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fed6c641e-b7f9-11de-8ca9-00144feab49a.html&_i_referer=

S., Russia Must Lead on Arms Control

S., Russia Must Lead on Arms Control
Brent Scowcroft, Joseph Nye, Nicholas Burns and Strobe Talbott, Politico
G-20The United States faces the urgent challenge of using the year ahead to limit the risks of nuclear proliferation and to lower the level of nuclear weapons in the world. Achieving these goals is crucial to a peaceful century. President Barack Obama has undertaken a variety of initiatives to reduce American and Russian nuclear arsenals, dissuade states that have forgone nuclear weapons from acquiring them, stop the production of fissile material for military purposes, tighten measures to keep nuclear weapons from ever being used, prevent dangerous technology from falling into the hands of terrorists and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Full Article
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28201.html

Russia Reserves Preemptive Nuke Right

Russia Reserves Preemptive Nuke Right

Kremlin announces non-specific revisions to doctrine

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/10/13/russia-retains-option-of-pre-emptive-nuclear-strike/

Obama's Nuclear Agenda -- Joseph Nye, RealClearWorld

Obama's Nuclear Agenda -- Joseph Nye, RealClearWorld

http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2009/10/13/obamas_nuclear_agenda_97256.html

Moscow’s “No” Paints Obama And Clinton Into A Corner On Iran -- Jonathan Tobin, Commentary Magazine

Moscow’s “No” Paints Obama And Clinton Into A Corner On Iran -- Jonathan Tobin, Commentary Magazine

What was the bottom line of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov? America’s punting on a request for sanctions on Iran, as the Washington Post reported (and Jennifer discussed)? Or was it instead a case of “Russia Resists U.S. on Iran Sanctions,” as the Associated Press reported? Of course, both amount to the same thing. Clinton’s statement that it wasn’t yet time for sanctions on Iran to pressure it to stop its nuclear program is merely an admission that the administration’s plan to gain international support for restraining Iran is dead in the water.

Read more ....
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/tobin/125732

# Gore needs to back nuclear power, newspaper says

# Gore needs to back nuclear power, newspaper says
Former Vice President Al Gore has avoided the nuclear issue, but coming out in support of nuclear-generated electricity will do more to promote his climate-change goals than anything else he could do, writes the editorial board of the Wisconsin State Journal. "Nuclear technology needs to be a big part of the solution," argues this editorial. "Gore should stress his support for more nuclear power today." Wisconsin State Journal (Madison)

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/opinion/editorial/article_1334da66-b4e7-11de-947a-001cc4c03286.html

Expert touts nuclear in curbing greenhouse-gas emissions

Expert touts nuclear in curbing greenhouse-gas emissions
Lawmakers who believe that technology for capturing and storing carbon can aid in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from coal power facilities are "being unrealistic," writes Carolyn Heising in this opinion article. Such technology is extremely expensive, basically untested and energy intensive, adds Heising, who is a nuclear engineering professor at Iowa State University. A significant boost in nuclear energy and improvements in energy efficiency could help achieve the country's energy needs and simultaneously lower carbon emissions to acceptable levels, she writes. The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091013/OPINION01/910130340/1036/Opinion

Iran agrees to ship enriched uranium to Russia: official

Iran agrees to ship enriched uranium to Russia: official

Washington (AFP) Oct 1, 2009 - Iran agreed in principle Thursday to ship most of its declared enriched uranium stockpile to Russia, where it would be refined as fuel for a small reactor producing medical isotopes, a US official said. The agreement came after seven and a half hours of talks between Iran and world powers just outside Geneva, where Tehran also agreed to grant the United Nations access to a newly-revealed cov ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Iran_agrees_to_ship_enriched_uranium_to_Russia_official_999.html

Westinghouse Backs US Nuclear Energy Agreement With Italy

Westinghouse Backs US Nuclear Energy Agreement With Italy

Pittsburgh PA (SPX) Oct 13, 2009 - An agreement signed earlier yesterday between the United States and Italy drew strong support from Westinghouse Electric Company as the two countries took a major step closer to opening the Italian market to U.S. nuclear technology. Claudio Scajola, Italy's minister for economic development, Dr. Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Dennis F. Hightower met ... more
http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Westinghouse_Backs_US_Nuclear_Energy_Agreement_With_Italy_999.html

NRC approves Constellation-EDF nuclear deal

NRC approves Constellation-EDF nuclear deal
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved Electricite de France's bid to acquire almost 50% of Constellation Energy's nuclear assets, a deal reportedly worth $4.5 billion. The regulatory approval removes an obstacle to the proposed construction of a new nuclear plant in Maryland. EDF has "all necessary approvals at the federal level and clearance from the New York Public Service Commission," the companies said in a statement. Google/Agence France-
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i3uNHFIpvGh2GsiVFGmyeTaqDRnQ

Wars, Political Battles Complicate Obama Effort to Prevent Spread of Nuclear Weapons

Wars, Political Battles Complicate Obama Effort to Prevent Spread of Nuclear Weapons
President Obama's decision to order a nuclear review comes as he takes the rare step of chairing a watershed session of the UN security council.


From Global Security:

WASHINGTON -- Well before the 2008 election, foreign-policy hands predicted that the next commander in chief would confront an incendiary in-box without precedent in the modern American presidency. Recently, Barack Obama has begun to grasp what they meant (see GSN, Sept. 23).

After spending his honeymoon wrestling with the Great Recession and health care, and with cap-and-trade and climate change on deck, Obama will soon enter a stretch of his young presidency that includes deciding how to end an unpopular war in Iraq, salvage a failing war in Afghanistan, and avoid a potential war with Iran. All are likely to affect his signature initiative to check what many experts see as the greatest long-term threat to U.S. national security -- the spread of doomsday weapons.

Read more .... http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/wars-political-battles-complicate-obama.html

My Comment: An interesting analysis on what appears to be the priorities for President Obama and his agenda. While I do not have any disagreement with its view on what President Obama wants .... the article does not properly focus on the component that will greatly influence and impact both his domestic and foreign agenda.

That component is the economy and the Federal Government's trillion dollar deficits.

This is the 800 lb gorilla and 2 ton elephant in the room. If President Obama cannot reverse the deterioration of the economy .... both his domestic and foreign agenda will be crippled, and the Democrats will be paying a heavy political price in the 2010 and Presidential elections in 2012.

Nuclear proliferation is important .... but in today's world no one is listening to the U.S. and President Obama. Our economic and financial strength was always adequate to sway countries to our side .... but that is rapidly becoming an option that we are not able to fulfill. The genie is out of the bottle and we are now living in an environment where numerous countries are now positioning themselves to acquire nuclear weaponry .... and there is nothing that we can do to change this.
Posted by Bookyards

War News Updates: Wars, Political Battles Complicate Obama Effort to Prevent Spread of Nuclear Weapons

Obama submits report on Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement to Congress

Obama submits report on Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement to Congress
President Barack Obama has transmitted to Congress a report on the civilian nuclear deal that the U.S. signed with India. The U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act requires regular confirmation from the president of the country's policy to collaborate with members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and to work on further limiting the transfer of technology and equipment used in uranium enrichment and reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. Press Trust of India

http://www.ptinews.com/news/322043_Obama-sends-report-to-Congress-on-Indo-US-nuclear-deal

Nuke Pact Deniers Face New 'Refuter' Kyodo News

Nuke Pact Deniers Face New 'Refuter'
Kyodo News
The Foreign Ministry kept a written record of a meeting with the U.S. ambassador in 1968 in which he reminded ministry officials of a secret 1960 bilateral nuclear deal, a former senior ministry official said Tuesday, further contradicting government claims that no such pact existed.
Full Article
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20091008a4.html

Egypt Opposition Wants to Make ElBaradei President Agence France-Presse

Egypt Opposition Wants to Make ElBaradei President
Agence France-Presse
Whether President Hosni Mubarak runs for re-election in 2011 or gives way to his son Gamal, an opposition party sees UN nuclear watchdog head Mohamed ElBaradei as a strong contender for Egypt's top job.
Full Article
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=318704&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17

China Aims to Steady North Korea Choe Sang-Hun, The New York Times

China Aims to Steady North Korea
Choe Sang-Hun, The New York Times
North Korea's leader gave an unusually exuberant welcome this week to the prime minister of China, whose trip was intensely monitored by the rest of the world for progress on efforts to halt North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
Full Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/world/asia/07korea.html?_r=1&hpw

US 'Bunker Buster' Bomb to be Ready Soon: Pentagon Agence France-Presse

US 'Bunker Buster' Bomb to be Ready Soon: Pentagon
Agence France-Presse
The Pentagon said a giant "bunker buster" bomb will be ready within months, adding a powerful weapon to the US arsenal amid tensions over Iran's nuclear program.
Full Article
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jwIaLotSkaw29J0t9eD1EF7Ct8VQ

Struggle Looms to Build on Iranian Nuclear Deals Mark Heinrich, Reuters

Struggle Looms to Build on Iranian Nuclear Deals
Mark Heinrich, Reuters
U.N. inspectors about to descend on a hitherto secret Iranian nuclear site may score a small victory for non-proliferation, but face a long, hard struggle to achieve full transparency in Tehran's atomic ambitions.
Full Article
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc08/idUSTRE5973BV20091008

Dealing with Iran: The Power of Legitimacy George Perkovich, Policy Outlook

Dealing with Iran: The Power of Legitimacy
George Perkovich, Policy Outlook
ElBaradeiTalks last week between Iran and world powers in Geneva—and the first public, bilateral negotiations between the United States and Iran in 30 years—yielded unexpected progress. Iran has been forced onto the defensive by its loss of legitimacy, exacerbated by the gains President Obama made by demonstrating resolve to negotiate a peaceful accommodation with the Islamic Republic, contends George Perkovich.
Full Article
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23971&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

French nuclear company Areva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on nuclear energy and radioactive materials cooperation with Mongolia's At

* Areva forges nuclear energy deal with Mongolia
Mongolia's Atomic Energy Department has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding involving nuclear energy and cooperation on radioactive materials with France's Areva. The signing comes a day after Areva made a deal with Kazakhstan's KazAtomProm for a joint project to produce nuclear fuel for the Asian market. World Nuclear News (10/7)

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Areva_signs_Mongolian_memorandum-0710098.html

Senate Democrats welcome discussions on nuclear to pass climate bill

Senate Democrats welcome discussions on nuclear to pass climate bill
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said he and fellow Democratic senators are willing to discuss nuclear power with Republicans if it would help get the 60 votes needed to advance a comprehensive energy and global-warming bill. The climate legislation unveiled by Kerry and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., contains a preliminary section on nuclear energy that offers more funding to study extending the lives of commercial reactors and adds incentives for research and personnel training. "There's a nuclear title, and it invites discussion on that," he said. The New York Times (free registration)/ClimateWire

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/10/07/07climatewire-senate-dems-opening-to-nuclear-as-path-to-go-28815.html

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=247854211242866212

Saudis consider Russian air defense system

Saudis consider Russian air defense system
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (UPI) Oct 7, 2009 - Saudi Arabia is considering buying Russia's most advanced air-defense system in a deal that Riyadh hopes may deter Moscow from selling a similar defense system to potentially nuclear Iran, experts argue. Experts cited in a string of media reports from the region said Moscow and Riyadh were close to signing a deal on the purchase of Russia's S-400 anti-missile shield. The deal is valued ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Saudis_consider_Russian_air_defense_system_999.html

Technical flaws in the Obama missile defense plan BY DAVID WRIGHT AND LISBETH GRONLUND

Technical flaws in the Obama missile defense plan
BY DAVID WRIGHT AND LISBETH GRONLUND
In some ways, the Obama administration's plan for missile defense in Europe only exchanges one unproven weapons system for another.

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

JOSHUA POLLACK Deconstructing the Iranian challenge

JOSHUA POLLACK
Deconstructing the Iranian challenge
How the international community handles Iran in the coming days far transcends Tehran's nuclear ambitions; it also directly affects the legitimacy of the U.N. Security Council and NPT.

http://thebulletin.org/web-edition/columnists/joshua-pollack/deconstructing-the-iranian-challenge

COLLECTION Of Premium Content from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

COLLECTION Of Premium Content from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

The Armageddon test: Preventing nuclear terrorism Premium
BY ROLF MOWATT-LARSSEN
It might not be easy for a terrorist group to obtain a nuclear weapon, but the opportunities are out there. One way to stop them--form an elite intelligence team tasked solely with preventing a nuclear terrorist attack.
http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/f742246536817321/?p=a50531ed63ee485893e18fbd2785e377&pi=5

The ElBaradei legacy Premium
BY MARK HIBBS AND ANDREAS PERSBO
As the International Atomic Energy Agency's director-general, Mohamed ElBaradei stood up to the United States, prevented a widening Middle East conflict, and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet as he prepares to leave, the future of the agency is in doubt.
http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/f15114mg646m1g81/?p=a50531ed63ee485893e18fbd2785e377&pi=1

Shifting from a nuclear triad to a nuclear dyad Premium
BY JEFF RICHARDSON
A senior scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory outlines the rationale for retiring land-based ballistic missiles and leaving a strategic dyad of submarine-launched missiles and air-delivered weapons as the backbone of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/f36h7r5624w18035/?p=afa13b46d0ce408db7a42d9543f1e80d&pi=3

Richard Rhodes' Reykjavik Premium
BY RICHARD RHODES
Would the Reykjavik summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev have rid the world of nuclear weapons if only J. Robert Oppenheimer had been present? In this dramatization, Richard Rhodes explores the "what if" of the low-profile but high-level conference.
http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/f37178k308402468/?p=a50531ed63ee485893e18fbd2785e377&pi=6

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

Iran Commentary Update

Establishing the Right Precedent in Supplying Fuel to Iran
George Perkovich and Pierre Goldschmidt, Proliferation Analysis
TRRThe purported agreement to refuel the Tehran research reactor by shipping Iranian-made low enriched uranium (LEU) to other states for further enrichment and fuel fabrication could be a good precedent for meeting Iran’s future and potentially larger nuclear fuel needs. This precedent could be seen as a first step to accept at a later stage that the UN Security Council would reverse its present decision and allow Iran to continue its ongoing practice of enriching uranium to less than five percent under what should be rigorous safeguards (including having a so-called "Additional Protocol" in force).
Full Article
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23954&prog=zgp&proj=znpp

Iran Plans to Use New Centrifuge at Nuclear Plant
Hashem Kalantari, Reuters
Iran plans to use a new generation of faster centrifuges to enrich uranium at a newly-revealed nuclear site, its atomic energy chief said in remarks published Tuesday.
Full Article
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5951Z920091006?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

* Report Says Iran Has Data to Make Bomb
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/world/middleeast/05iran.html?_r=1&hp


Untangling Iran's Nuclear Web
Dmitri Trenin, The Moscow Times
Thursday's Geneva meeting of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany regarding Iran’s nuclear program did not lead to a breakthrough or a decisive showdown. It did, however, demonstrate more unity among the major powers vis-a-vis Tehran, and we witnessed the first meeting of President Barack Obama’s administration between U.S. and Iranian diplomats.
Full Article
http://carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=23940&prog=zgp,zru&proj=znpp

+ Nuclear deals lucrative for North Korea

+ Nuclear deals lucrative for North Korea
Seoul (UPI) Oct 5, 2009 - North Korea has won about $2.3 billion worth of aid from South Korea and other negotiating partners in return for false promises to give up its nuclear weapons drive, a report by the South Korean government said Monday. Despite the prolonged nuclear standoff, the North has received an additional $3.4 billion worth of humanitarian aid over the past decade, the report by the Foreign Minis ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Nuclear_deals_lucrative_for_North_Korea_999.html

Russia launches new Mideast arms push

Russia launches new Mideast arms push
Tripoli, Libya (UPI) Oct 5, 2009 - Russia's state arms exporter is launching a big drive at the Tripoli air show to sell combat jets, missiles and air-defense systems to Middle Eastern states, including the state-of-the-art S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile that Iran and Syria desperately want to acquire. But the Russians are likely to find considerable competition at the 4th Arab-African Aviation Exhibition and Confer ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Russia_launches_new_Mideast_arms_push_999.html

UN to inspect Iran's new nuclear plant on Oct 25

UN to inspect Iran's new nuclear plant on Oct 25
Tehran (AFP) Oct 4, 2009 - Experts will inspect Iran's new uranium enrichment plant on October 25, UN atomic watchdog head Mohamed ElBaradei said on Sunday, praising Tehran's shift "from conspiracy to cooperation" but warning that "concerns" remain over its nuclear aims. ElBaradei told a news conference in Tehran that Iran had given the assurance International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors would be given acce ... more
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/UN_to_inspect_Irans_new_nuclear_plant_on_Oct_25_999.html

New doubt on US's Iran plant claim

New doubt on US's Iran plant claim
Washington's charge that construction on Iran's second uranium-enrichment facility is part of a covert decision to violate its International Atomic Energy obligations is being questioned. Further analysis of satellite photos of the site suggests Iran is not in the wrong. - Gareth Porter (Oct 5,

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KJ06Ak02.html

Iran Tests Shahab-3 Missile Ahead of Nuclear Talks Bloomberg - September 28, 2009

Iran Tests Shahab-3 Missile Ahead of Nuclear Talks

Bloomberg - September 28, 2009
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=abF02OIbrRm4

Experts Weigh In on Obama's Explanation of Iran's Nuclear Facility The Washington Independent - September 28, 2009

Experts Weigh In on Obama's Explanation of Iran's Nuclear Facility

The Washington Independent - September 28, 2009
http://washingtonindependent.com/61063/experts-weigh-in-on-significance-of-irans-nuclear-facility

How Do We Know There Are Only 3000 Centrifuges At Qom?

How Do We Know There Are Only 3000 Centrifuges At Qom?

http://washingtonindependent.com/61285/how-do-we-know-there-are-only-3000-centrifuges-at-qom

Inspections Won't Solve Iran's Nuke Mystery

Inspections Won't Solve Iran's Nuke Mystery

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/09/inspections-wont-solve-irans-nuke-mystery/

US Sea-Based Missiles Seen as "Core" Nukes, Maybe at ICBM Expense Global Security Newswire - October 1, 2009

US Sea-Based Missiles Seen as "Core" Nukes, Maybe at ICBM Expense

Global Security Newswire - October 1, 2009
http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20091001_4226.php

The U.S.-India nuclear deal--one year later BY J. SRI RAMAN

The U.S.-India nuclear deal--one year later
BY J. SRI RAMAN

October 8 marks the one-year anniversary of former President George W. Bush signing into law the so-called U.S.-India nuclear deal. The deal proved controversial from its inception because it ended a 34-year U.S. ban on nuclear trade with India, a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). And yet despite heavy criticism of the deal--especially from arms control and disarmament advocates--one year later, it appears solidly entrenched as long-term policy.

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the U.S.-India Business Council's Synergies Summit in June, "The first stage of Indo-U.S. relations was ushered in when President Bill Clinton opened a new chapter of engagement with India. Then President George [W.] Bush took it to the second level with the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement. The Obama administration is determined to take it to the third stage, which would allow the countries to move beyond concerns about the status of India's nuclear program to a framework of economic and technical cooperation."

At its heart, the U.S.-India deal is really about big business, which has boomed since the agreement entered into force. In fact, intensive lobbying by corporate sectors in both the United States and India helped overrule the concerns of the arms control community. For Ron Somers, the president of the U.S.-India Business Council, the calculus was simple: "[The U.S.-India nuclear deal] will present a major opportunity for U.S. and Indian companies," he promised in July 2007. He added that the deal would create...Read entire article
http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/the-us-india-nuclear-deal-one-year-later

ElBaradei says nuclear Israel number one threat to Mideast: report

ElBaradei says nuclear Israel number one threat to Mideast: report

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/04/content_12181647.htm

New Doubt Cast on U.S. Claim Qom Plant is Illicit by Gareth Porter

New Doubt Cast on U.S. Claim Qom Plant is Illicit

by Gareth Porter / October 3rd, 2009 (1)

WASHINGTON (IPS) — An Iranian assertion that construction on its second enrichment facility began only last year and further analysis of satellite photos of the site have cast fresh doubts on the Barack Obama administration’s charge that the construction of the plant near Qom involved a covert decision to violate Iran’s obligations to report immediately to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on any decision to build a new facility.

At a Sep. 25 briefing on the site, senior administration officials refused to provide any specific information to back up the claim that construction had begun before the March 2007 Iranian …
(Full article …)


http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/10/new-doubt-cast-on-u-s-claim-qom-plant-is-illicit/

Report Says Iran Has Data to Make a Nuclear Bomb By WILLIAM J. BROAD and DAVID E. SANGER

Report Says Iran Has Data to Make a Nuclear Bomb
By WILLIAM J. BROAD and DAVID E. SANGER

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/world/middleeast/04nuke.html?hp

A U.N. analysis says Iran has “sufficient information to be able to design and produce a workable” bomb, going well beyond the public position taken by Washington.

* U.N. Sets Date for Iran Inspection 6:38 AM ET
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/04/world/AP-ML-Iran.html?hp

U.S. Not Seeking Disclosure of Israeli Nuclear Arsenal

U.S. Not Seeking Disclosure of Israeli Nuclear Arsenal
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the White House in May. Obama's administration does not plan to pressure Israel to open its nuclear sites to international scrutiny, officials said (White House photo/Getty Images).

The Obama administration does not intend to press Israel to give international monitors access to its nuclear weapons, the Washington Times reported today (see GSN, Sept. 29).

Israel has never officially acknowledged possession of what is believed to be the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, which is roughly estimated at between 100 and 200 warheads.

Then-U.S. President Richard Nixon and former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meier in 1969 reportedly agreed that Washington would not challenge Jerusalem on the issue. The deal -- of which there is no official accounting -- essentially means that "the United States passively [accepts] Israel's nuclear weapons status as long as Israel does not unveil publicly its capability or test a weapon," according to expert Avner Cohen.

See Full Article...
http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20091002_7204.php

Administration Defends Changes to European Missile Shield

Administration Defends Changes to European Missile Shield
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

By Martin Matishak

Global Security Newswire

A U.S. ground-based missile interceptor is lowered into a silo at Fort Greely, Alaska, in 2004. The arsenal of interceptors in Alaska and California would provide "full protection of the homeland" from an Iranian long-range missile threat by the end of next year, a senior Pentagon official said yesterday (U.S. Missile Defense Agency photo).

WASHINGTON -- Key officials from the U.S. Defense and State departments yesterday vigorously defended the Obama administration's decision to retool a proposed Europe-based missile defense shield (see GSN, Oct. 1).

"We are not scrapping missile defense in Europe. We are strengthening it," Defense Undersecretary Michele Flournoy told the House Armed Services Committee.

The White House announced two weeks ago that it would shelve a Bush administration plan to deploy 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic as a hedge against a developing missile threat from Iran (see GSN, Sept. 17). The plan proved controversial in the proposed host countries and was vehemently opposed by Russia as a threat to its strategic security.

See Full Article...
http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20091002_8280.php

Iran Offers to Ship Uranium for Enrichment by Other Nations

Iran Offers to Ship Uranium for Enrichment by Other Nations
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, left, and other Iranian officials speak to reporters yesterday at U.N. headquarters in New York City. Tehran yesterday indicated it was willing to send much of its uranium supply abroad for further enrichment (Mario Tama/Getty Images).

Iran yesterday signaled willingness to send much of its low-enriched uranium stockpile to France and Russia for further refinement, a move that could address concerns that the Middle Eastern state intends to use the material in a nuclear weapon, the Wall Street Journal reported (see GSN, Oct. 1).

"This limits Iran's ability to have the breakout ability needed to produce nuclear weapons," said one high-level U.S. official involved in yesterday's meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, of diplomats from Iran, the five permanent U.N. Security Council member nations and Germany. Iran is widely believed to possess enough low-enriched uranium to power a nuclear weapon if the country withdrew from international nonproliferation safeguards and continued to enrich the material.

See Full Article...
http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20091002_8995.php

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