Good morning, Here is the Nuclear Policy News for Monday, February 13, 2023.
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Nuclear Policy News – February 13, 2023 United States U.S. Test Launches ICBM Into Pacific as Part of Nuclear ‘Deterrence Mission’ U.S. News and World Report February 10, 2023 www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2023-02-10/u-s-test-launches-icbm-into-pacific-as-part-of-nuclear-deterrence-mission? The U.S. Air Force test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean neighborhood of its adversaries in China and North Korea late Thursday at a time of growing international concern that brewing tensions among nuclear powers could escalate into a new arms race. US takes another step toward gearing up nuclear pit factory AP News February 10, 2023 apnews.com/article/science-politics-los-alamos-labor-859d8e0cc088f84b149068bd57e64133 The U.S. agency in charge of producing key components for the nation’s nuclear arsenal has cleared the way for new equipment to be installed at a New Mexico laboratory as part of a multibillion-dollar mission, but nuclear watchdog groups say the project already is behind schedule and budgets have ballooned. ANALYSIS: Future Steps for U.S.-ROK Extended Deterrence Consultation Center for Strategic and International Studies - Kelsey Hartigan February 10, 2023 www.csis.org/analysis/future-steps-us-rok-extended-deterrence-consultations Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin travelled to South Korea last week to shore up U.S. extended deterrence commitments following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s comments about South Korea possibly developing its own nuclear weapons. The trip marked some forward progress, but there is more that can and should be done.
Russia/Europe
OPINION: Russia’s New START Breach Means U.S. Nuclear Weapons Modernization Is A Must 1945 - Patty-Jane Geller February 10, 2023 https://pardot.csis.org/e/906722/vocates-square-off-11574211794/3kfg65/1448538007?h=46t2c2JWYA9eEnJLfm5gPgtm3PYbYz5gYnXveQV5HhM The State Department reports Russia is in non-compliance with the New START agreement—the very last arms control treaty in place. If Russia can pick and choose which aspects of a treaty it can follow, it defeats the purpose of having a rules-based agreement.
Middle East
France urges stronger international response to Iran's missile program Reuters February 10, 2023 www.reuters.com/world/frances-foreign-minister-discussed-ukraine-iran-with-us-counterpart-blinken-2023-02-10/ There must be a stronger "international response" to the threat posed by Iran's ballistic missiles program, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told her U.S. counterpart Anthony Blinken, France's Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "The minister mentioned Iran's destabilizing activities and the increasing threat posed by the increase of its ballistic missiles arsenal, the proliferation of missiles including towards non-state actors (...) and the need to strengthen the international response to this threat," said the ministry, regarding Colonna's talks with Blinken.
Iran nuclear deal seen to be on agenda as President Ebrahim Raisi heads to China for first state visit South China Morning Post February 13, 2023 www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3210081/iran-nuclear-deal-seen-be-agenda-president-ebrahim-raisi-heads-china-first-state-visit Closer China-Iran ties are on the cards as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrives in Beijing for a three-day state visit on Tuesday, with analysts forecasting stronger strategic cooperation and a coordinated stand on the Iran nuclear deal. Raisi, who took office in August 2021 but has rarely travelled abroad, left for Beijing on Monday night – the first visit to China by an Iranian president since 2018. East Asia Money for missiles: Crypto heists pay for North Korea’s nukes The Washington Times February 10, 2023 www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/feb/10/money-missiles-crypto-heists-pay-north-koreas-nuke/ North Korea’s parade of 11 intercontinental ballistic missiles through the streets of Pyongyang this week put on display a force that analysts say is capable of overwhelming the systems the U.S. military has put up to defend the homeland. But the progress made by North Korean armorers raises an economic question in addition to the strategic one: How is the world’s richest country vulnerable to an impoverished state with an isolated, backward economy that ranks 135th in the world in national wealth?Part of the answer, South Korean officials and analysts say, is a specialized corps of online hackers who last year clandestinely brought in between $1.7 billion and $2 billion to finance North Korea’s military-industrial complex.
South Asia
Nuclear-armed Pakistan reaches for IMF loan to avoid default The Washington Post February 13, 2023 www.washingtonpost.com/world/nuclear-armed-pakistan-reaches-for-imf-loan-to-avoid-default/2023/02/13/cb71fd3e-ab87-11ed-b0ba-9f4244c6e5da_story.html Cash-strapped and nuclear-armed Pakistan will impose new taxes of 170 billion rupees this month in a bid for massive bailout officials and analysts said Monday, even as they warned the new taxes could accelerate the country’s spiraling inflation. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, now the opposition leader, has publicly warned that Pakistan could be blackmailed by the world community over the country’s nuclear program if Pakistan defaults in the near future.
Pacific
Australian commanders to have complete control over nuclear-powered submarines and reactors ABC News Australia February 13, 2023 www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/australian-commanders-complete-control-over-nuclear-submarines/101965182 Australian Navy commanders will have full operational control over their submarines and the powerful nuclear reactors onboard, despite the potential presence of US or UK engineers. Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, chief of the AUKUS submarine taskforce, has rejected criticisms that the nuclear propulsion program, based on US technology, would undermine Australian sovereignty.
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