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
Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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/
Kremlin announces non-specific revisions to doctrine
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/10/13/russia-retains-option-of-pre-emptive-nuclear-strike/
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Monday, October 12, 2009
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
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
Sunday, October 11, 2009
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
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
Friday, October 9, 2009
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
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
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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