Russia to Raise Navy Presence in Syria: Diplomat Aug 28, 2008
Lavrov was referring to the position of Israel, which has a superior military and is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Syria, which is technically at war with the Jewish state, has embarked on a drive to upgrade its military in recent years. (Newsmax)
COLUMN: A Central Illinois Republican goes to Denver Aug 27, 2008
Harry Potter wrote on Aug 26, 2008 8:04 PM:" Off the Net:It's not too early to start thinking about why McCain would be an awful president:He is even more wrong about Iraq than the Bush administration, if that's possible. He thinks that because our troop escalation has coincided with a reduction in violence (down to levels that were considered catastrophic a few years ago, but now seem better by comparison), that somehow means that our presence is solving long term issues like power sharing... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
US to keep N Korea on terror list Aug 27, 2008
He added that increasingly strained tensions between Russia and the US over Moscow's military push in Georgia had not affected their collective efforts to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. "I'm not aware of any degradation of our cooperation with respect to the six-party talks," said Mr Fratto. (BBC News)
Iran says can hit Israel with missiles if attacked Aug 27, 2008
The West and Israel accuse Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons, despite Iran's insistence that it wants technology to make electricity so that it can save more of its vast oil and gas resources for export. "Our strategic calculations show that if the Zionist regime wants to make the smallest move against our interests, either independently or with America, in the shortest time all the territories under the Zionist regime's control will become unsafe," Guards commander-in-chief Mohammad Ali... (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
North Korea Aid Unaffected by Nuclear Delay, South Korea Says Aug 27, 2008
Updated: New York, Aug 27 03:31 London, Aug 27 08:31 Tokyo, Aug 27 16:31. Aug. 27 (Bloomberg) -- North Korea's decision to halt dismantling its nuclear reactor won't influence whether South Korea increases humanitarian aid to the communist nation, the Unification Ministry in Seoul said. (Bloomberg)
Grow up, Hillary supporters Aug 27, 2008
Will continue working to secure loose nuclear weapons to prevent them from getting in the hands of terrorists (an issue ignored by Bush/McCain). Has a proposal to give Americans who are being gouged by private health insurers a choice to purchase cheaper policies where enormous profits aren t built into the premium. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
North Korea says it will suspend nuclear disablement Aug 27, 2008
Analysts said that given North Korea's deep reluctance to give up its nuclear weapons program the one powerful negotiating card it has with the outside world its latest move was no big surprise ... Mr. Lee came to office earlier this year with a promise to get tough on the North if it did not move towards giving up its nuclear weapons ambitions ... Shen Dingli, a nuclear security expert at Fudan University in Shanghai, said he did not believe that North Korea ever intended to abandon its nuclear... (Globe and Mail -- International)
Gordon Brown gives Iran two weeks to back down on nuclear programme Aug 27, 2008
While he is in Israel, Mr Brown can persuade Israel to dismantle her nuclear weapons as well. emma, london, uk. (Yahoo News -- Iran)
FM: Iran, EU work toward new round of talks Aug 27, 2008
The United States and its allies have accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons, but Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. Iran till now has been under three UN sanctions over its disputed nuclear program. (Xinhuanet, China)
BUSH CRITICISM: President raps Russian decision to recognize Abkhazia, S. Ossetia Aug 27, 2008
But the Georgia dispute threatens prospects of U.S.-Russian cooperation in several important areas, including access to oil, dissuading Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons program, and reaching agreements on arms control and nuclear proliferation. Andrew Kuchins, director of the Russia and Eurasia Program with Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Moscow and Washington have very different "narratives" about how this crisis unfolded. (USA Today)
Obama vows to step up diplomacy with Iran Aug 26, 2008
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pledged yesterday that he would step up diplomatic pressure to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons before Israel feels that "its back is against the wall" and might take military action. Campaigning in Iowa on his way to the Democratic convention in Denver, Obama was asked about rumors that Israel had "green-lighted" an attack on Iran before the presidential election in November. (Boston Globe)
Let's talk about World War III Aug 26, 2008
Active military doctrine has an answer to that - limited Russian use of nuclear weapons against the military bases from which Americans mount attacks and against command and control centers ... If we can safely live through the transition period as economic and eventually political power shifts from traditional capitals toward Asia, we might avoid a direct clash between major powers and nuclear weapons use. (Asia Times Online)
Obama to seek closer ties with India Aug 26, 2008
Barack Obama will focus this strategy on seven goals with ending the war in Iraq Responsibly, defeating Al Qaeda and combating violent extremism and securing nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists topping the list. The other four Democratic goals would be revitalizing and supporting US Military, renewing US partnerships to promote common security, advancing democracy and development; and protecting the planet by achieving energy security and combating climate change. (India Times)
* CIA used Swiss to thwart foreign nuclear programs Aug 26, 2008
In return, it said, the Tinners delivered a flow of secret information that helped end Libyas nuclear weapons program, reveal Irans atomic efforts and undo Khans nuclear supply network. The Tinners also played an important role in a clandestine US operation to funnel sabotaged nuclear equipment to Libya and Iran, the Times said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Bush pushed on Korea peace treaty Aug 26, 2008
US President George W Bush has said a peace treaty with North Korea can be achieved once Pyongyang ends its nuclear weapons programme ... Mr Bush responded by saying a peace treaty was in the hands of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and whether he gave up his nuclear weapons. (Yahoo News -- South Korea)
Put the brakes Aug 26, 2008
Finally, the nuclear deal promises to give serious damage to international efforts to curb the spread of dangerous nuclear weapons technologies. Though it is far from perfect, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been the world s best line of defense against the spread of nuclear weapons worldwide for the past 40 years ... Despite the fact that India is not a party to this global compact, refuses to take on a legal commitment against future nuclear tests, has not stopped producing nuclear... (Washington Daily News, NC)
'Only a matter of time before terrorists use weapons of mass destruction' Aug 26, 2008
Biological weapons pose a far more serious long-term terrorist threat to the West than nuclear weapons, according to Washington's leading counter-terrorism expert ... As for taking action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Mr Crumpton insisted that "every option is on the table" - including military action. (Yahoo News -- Biological and Chemical Weapons)
The axis of illusion Aug 26, 2008
If China doesn't act, we cannot forestall the worst effects of global warming or get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. We need cooperation from both to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapons program. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Obama was born on American soil Aug 26, 2008
As I ponder man's inhumanity to man, I focus on how to achieve progress in nuclear weapons disarmament. Every candidate for national office this year should be asked to support the elimination of all nuclear weapons and to commit us to enter treaties curb ing their production and use. (NJ.com -- Times)
US nuclear chief forced to quit Aug 26, 2008
US nuclear weapons agency chief Linton Brooks has been made to resign following a number of security breaches at Los Alamos Laboratory ... The NNSA is in charge of maintaining the country's nuclear weapons stockpile and reducing the threat posed by WMDs ... The agency was created in 2000 after an espionage scandal at Los Alamos, site of US nuclear weapons research. (Yahoo News -- Nuclear Weapons)
After Breaches, Head of U.S. Nuclear Program Is Ousted Aug 26, 2008
Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has fired the head of the nation's nuclear weapons program, Linton F. Brooks, because of security breaches last year at weapons facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory ... a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a written statement yesterday he was "afraid that it will take more than a new boss to fix the problems, which are far more systemic and pervasive in nature." He added that "the new Democratic Congress will... (Yahoo News -- Nuclear Weapons)
Climate 'would reel from A-bombs' Aug 26, 2008
The researchers said current concern about emerging nations acquiring nuclear weapons and the threat of terrorist attacks merited a return to the subject ... "We're on a trend of a build-up of nuclear weapons. In a couple of decades, there could be 20, 30, 40 nuclear states all as dangerous as the Soviet Union used to be.". (Yahoo News -- Nuclear Weapons)
Rice holds N Korea nuclear talks Aug 26, 2008
But the deal has faced numerous delays, and officials have yet to tackle the trickiest issues - such as how many nuclear weapons Pyongyang has and what should be done with them. Concessions. (Yahoo News -- North Korea)
Paul Keating's full speech Aug 25, 2008
But Russia will still be wealthy; wealthy enough to continue to field its massive arsenal of nuclear weapons ... All of this serves to underline the most pressing problem of all and that is the continuing existence of nuclear weapons ... In a nutshell, the nuclear weapon States signed up to the elimination of their nuclear weapons while, in the meantime, other signatory States undertook to forgo their development. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Template for peace is inclusion Aug 25, 2008
But Russia will still be wealthy; wealthy enough to continue to field its massive arsenal of nuclear weapons. So whether you attribute to Russia full "pole" status or not, you can certainly attribute to it huge strategic standing. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Experts weigh 'planetary emergencies' Aug 25, 2008
This ancient hilltop town, ripe with Roman, Greek, Norman and other influences, has hosted a very modern gathering: a conference on global risks like cyberterrorism, climate change, nuclear weapons and the world's lagging energy supply ... Both organizations are led by Zichichi with what the physicist Richard Garwin, a longtime Erice conference participant and expert on nuclear weapons, affectionately called "imperious" zeal. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
* A new wave of nuclear proliferation Aug 25, 2008
The only realistic way that Georgia could have deterred Russia would be by possessing either nuclear weapons or similar weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the means to deliver them ... Now serious talk about deterrence, weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons will begin in a whole new set of defense ministries ... To sum up the argument so far, then, Chinas military buildup has already rebounded to Chinas disadvantage by sparking Indian development of practical nuclear weapons. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Column reveals the poor policy ideas of Democrats Aug 25, 2008
Because Libya gave up their nuclear weapons program when we invaded Iraq, we are bad. Because we ve pressured North Korea to give up their nuclear weapons program, we are bad. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
U.S. Navy warship sails into Georgia with aid Aug 25, 2008
For security reasons the Navy does not say if ships are carrying nuclear weapons, but they usually do not. At dockside in Batumi, with the McFaul anchored offshore, U.S. Navy officials in crisp white uniforms were met Sunday by Georgian officials, including Defence Minister David Kezerashvili. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Fixing Our National Security Process Aug 25, 2008
Moscow has thousands of nuclear weapons, its leaders are spewing war-like rhetoric and its recent invasion of the Republic of Georgia has caught the U.S. unprepared to respond. Our current process has also allowed our military to deteriorate. (Human Events Online)
Oil Rises More Than $6 on U.S.-Russia Tensions, Dollar Weakness Aug 25, 2008
The U.S. and its European allies are trying to persuade Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program, saying it's a cover for developing nuclear weapons. Iran is the world's fourth-biggest oil producer. (Yahoo News -- Oil and Gas)
The U.S.-India nuclear deal; Georgia and Russia Aug 25, 2008
For its part, India has declared a unilateral moratorium on any further nuclear testing and supports the negotiation of a multilateral agreement to cut off the production of nuclear weapons material. Today in Opinion. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
CIA Used Swiss to Thwart Iran Nuke Program: Report Aug 25, 2008
In return, said the paper, the engineers delivered a flow of secret information that helped end Libya's nuclear weapons program, reveal Iran's atomic efforts and undo Khan's nuclear supply network. The Tinners also played an important role in a clandestine American operation to funnel sabotaged nuclear equipment to Libya and Iran, according to The Times. (Newsmax)
Officials told to look for fake emergency vehicles Aug 24, 2008
Thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement officials will be working to secure the conventions, as will airport screeners, nuclear weapons experts and intelligence analysts. Comments. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
* Nuclear body delays ruling on India technology ban Aug 24, 2008
The pact would reverse more than three decades of US policy by allowing the sale of nuclear materials to India, a country that has not signed international nonproliferation accords X and has tested nuclear weapons. The 45-nation suppliers group said in a statement on Friday that it would meet again soon to continue its deliberations on an agreement. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
Report: India rejects conditions on nuclear deal Aug 24, 2008
A number of member nations appear to be backing an amendment that would revoke the waiver for India if it resumes nuclear weapons testing ... The pact, which still must be approved by the U.S. Congress, would reverse more than three decades of U.S. policy by allowing the sale of nuclear materials to a country that has tested nuclear weapons but has refused to sign nonproliferation treaties. (International Herald Tribune)
Take Steps Toward A Nuclear-Free Future Aug 24, 2008
As we head into the presidential nomination conventions this week, there's one important subject that has gotten only scant attention from candidates Barack Obama and John McCain: our global nuclear weapons crisis. Both candidates claim to have a vision for a world free of nuclear weapons, but does either of them know what it will really take to get there ... This month marks both the anniversary of the first use of a nuclear weapon - 63 years ago, when the United States bombed Hiroshima - and... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Vegetable oil new Hanford cleanup tool Aug 24, 2008
Plutonium production for the nation's nuclear weapons program continued there for four decades, leaving a mess of radioactive and hazardous waste. High on the cleanup list at the south-central Washington site: an estimated 80 square miles of groundwater, contaminated at levels exceeding state and federal drinking water standards. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Nuclear envoy begins Iran talks Aug 24, 2008
The watchdog is preparing a report on Iran's facilities, which critics say can be used to make nuclear weapons. The US expressed concern over Sunday's launch, saying the technology could also be used for carrying missiles. (Yahoo News -- Iran)
North Korea wary of Russia's return Aug 23, 2008
Russia holds a seat in the six-party talks aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and for years has been promoting the concept of a rail network over which goods could travel from South Korea, through North Korea, then across Russia, to Europe. The Russians, though arouse the deepest suspicions among the elite surrounding Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang. (Asia Times Online)
INDIA/US: Suppliers' Group Stalls Nuclear Deal Aug 23, 2008
Under the rules, no nuclear trade can take place with a country that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and yet possesses nuclear weapons, a description that fits India. The NSG has informally agreed to meet again on Sep. (Inter Press Service)
Antagonistic Russia could undermine U.S. on many fronts Aug 23, 2008
Many in Washington hope Russia will restrain itself out of its own self-interest; Moscow, for instance, does not want Iran to have nuclear weapons, nor does it want the Taliban to regain power in Afghanistan. Dmitri Rogozin, a hard-liner who serves as the Russian ambassador to NATO, told the newspaper Izvestia this week that Moscow still wanted to support the alliance in Afghanistan. (International Herald Tribune)
Religion in Today's World: Christian voting concerns Aug 23, 2008
Here, ending the United States occupation of Iraq is seen as the priority, followed by the total elimination of nuclear weapons, the ending of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the strengthening of the United Nations and international law to fight terrorism. Third on the list is working for a Consistent Ethic of Life, not only drastically reducing abortions, but ending capital punishment and halting genocide in its various forms around the world. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Waiver of nuclear rules for India looks doubtful Aug 22, 2008
The US-India deal would reverse more than three decades of US policy that has barred the sale of nuclear fuel and technology to India, which has not signed international nonproliferation accords and has tested nuclear weapons ... But others are concerned that exporting nuclear fuel and technology to a country that has not made a legally binding disarmament pledge could set a dangerous precedent and weaken efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and materials. (Boston Globe)
Newsweek: How Russia's moves could affect Iran Aug 22, 2008
It's funny how a reassertive armed with some 10,000 all-too-real nuclear weapons puts the theoretical menace of Iran's as yet non- existent arsenal in perspective. But, looking ahead, what's more curious still is that a new administration--maybe even McCain's--may start looking for ways to work with Iran to help balance Russian power. (MSNBC -- International)
Key India nuclear talks continue Aug 22, 2008
In return, Delhi would open its civilian nuclear facilities to inspection - but its nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. Correspondents say that 14 of India's 22 existing or planned reactors would come under regular Iaea surveillance if the deal goes ahead. (BBC News)
Taliban Claims It Bombed Pakistan Arms Factory Aug 22, 2008
Experts have suggested that facilities related to Pakistan's secretive nuclear weapons program are located in the Wah area, possibly including a uranium enrichment plant. Abbas insisted the complex attacked on Thursday was producing only conventional weapons. (Fox News)
Why aren't the hyenas howling? Aug 22, 2008
They have nuclear weapons and are not afraid to use em. We spent 40 years threatening to blow each other to smithereens (I like that word, and the band), but both sides knew the other was bluffin. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Francona: Uncertainty rises after Musharrafs departure Aug 22, 2008
We do not need, nor is the world ready for, an Islamist state with an arsenal of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them, either by air, missile or terrorist. Stability in Pakistan is essential to our efforts in Afghanistan; the consequences of instability are frightening to contemplate. (MSNBC -- Terrorism)
Reformed Hacker Looks Back Aug 22, 2008
Prosecutors and journalists, including the New York Times' John Markoff, further aggrandized his cybercrime exploits, claiming he was a criminal hacker mastermind who had wiretapped the FBI to stay ahead of his pursuers, hacked into Pentagon computers and could launch nuclear weapons simply by whistling tones into a pay phone. Mitnick wound up serving five years in prison--four before his conviction and eight months in solitary confinement. (Forbes -- Technology)
Hillary sets a marker Aug 22, 2008
She attacked its decision to pursue the development of new nuclear weapons, including the "bunker-buster", intended to penetrate the surface and explode deep underground. Pentagon officials had told Congress that the force of such a weapon could not be contained. (Yahoo News -- Hillary Rodham Clinton)
Bush pushed on Korea peace treaty Aug 22, 2008
US President George W Bush has said a peace treaty with North Korea can be achieved once Pyongyang ends its nuclear weapons programme ... Mr Bush responded by saying a peace treaty was in the hands of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and whether he gave up his nuclear weapons. (Yahoo News -- South Korea)
U.S. sees much to fear in a hostile Russia Aug 22, 2008
Many in Washington hope Russia will restrain itself out of its own self-interest; Moscow, for instance, does not want Iran to have nuclear weapons either, and so has incentive to continue working with the United States to press Tehran to give up its uranium enrichment program. Moscow may also be checked by the desire of its economic elite to remain on the path to integration with the rest of the world. (International Herald Tribune)
Voss Scientific inks partnership Aug 22, 2008
Los Alamos National Laboratory, for example, has used the software since 1991 to analyze simulated nuclear weapons testing, said John Jimerson, a LANL research technologist. It s a turnkey system for data acquisition and analysis, Jimerson said. (New Mexico Business Weekly, NM)
It's all in the numbers Aug 22, 2008
Iran has been conducting tests of detonators and long-range missiles that can be used for launching nuclear weapons. Time is running out to have a peaceful solution to the Iranian crisis. (NJ.com -- Times)
Letters to the Editor (Aug. 13) Aug 22, 2008
Jules wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:54 AM:" So, Onerous, are you seriously claiming that global warming is being caused by all the nuclear weapons that have been detonated recently? Your argument seems to be that "global warming exists, man could change the world (if he detonated all the nukes at one time), thus man caused global warming. " A less rigorous proof of a causal relationship would be hard to find. In small words, your argument is silly. ". (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
After Breaches, Head of U.S. Nuclear Program Is Ousted Aug 22, 2008
Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has fired the head of the nation's nuclear weapons program, Linton F. Brooks, because of security breaches last year at weapons facilities, including Los Alamos National Laboratory ... a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a written statement yesterday he was "afraid that it will take more than a new boss to fix the problems, which are far more systemic and pervasive in nature." He added that "the new Democratic Congress will... (Yahoo News -- Nuclear Weapons)
US nuclear chief forced to quit Aug 22, 2008
US nuclear weapons agency chief Linton Brooks has been made to resign following a number of security breaches at Los Alamos Laboratory ... The NNSA is in charge of maintaining the country's nuclear weapons stockpile and reducing the threat posed by WMDs ... The agency was created in 2000 after an espionage scandal at Los Alamos, site of US nuclear weapons research. (Yahoo News -- Nuclear Weapons)
Rice holds N Korea nuclear talks Aug 22, 2008
But the deal has faced numerous delays, and officials have yet to tackle the trickiest issues - such as how many nuclear weapons Pyongyang has and what should be done with them. Concessions. (Yahoo News -- North Korea)
Terrorism's new sanctuary Aug 22, 2008
Saddam did not have nuclear weapons - Musharraf did. With Washington's backing and funding, Musharraf created a tissue-thin veneer of democracy for his regime, holding it all together until a brain-snap early last year, when he decided the country's chief justice was out to get him - so he sacked the jurist. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Oil Rises More Than $6 on U.S.-Russia Tensions, Dollar Weakness Aug 22, 2008
The U.S. and its European allies are trying to persuade Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program, saying it's a cover for developing nuclear weapons. Iran is the world's fourth-biggest oil producer. (Yahoo News -- Oil and Gas)
Gordon Brown gives Iran two weeks to back down on nuclear programme Aug 22, 2008
While he is in Israel, Mr Brown can persuade Israel to dismantle her nuclear weapons as well. emma, london, uk. (Yahoo News -- Iran)
Energy: Defund Enemies By Drilling For Energy Aug 22, 2008
All this is on top of Russia's continued technical and financial aid to Iran's burgeoning nuclear weapons program. In our own hemisphere, Putin is reviving Russia's long-dormant relationship with Cuba and selling advanced planes and weapons to socialist dictator Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, a major oil supplier. (Investors Business Daily)
NSG waiver may hinge on Austria, New Zealand Aug 21, 2008
Japan, the only country with a justifiable aversion to nuclear weapons but the most sophisticated nuclear industry, also turned itself around ... It will not sign the NPT because it's not a non-nuclear weapons state, and that's the only kind of signature that's open ... It has a robust strategic - read military - nuclear weapons programme, and no matter what, India's not about to give that up. (India Times, India)
Our View: Uncertain ally is gone Aug 21, 2008
The United States has two valid interests in the country: making sure the nuclear weapons don't fall into the wrong hands and trying to neutralize a resurgent al-Qaida operating in Pakistan's northwest tribal regions, which the central government has never really controlled. Continued contact with and aid to the Pakistani military for safeguarding the nukes is probably advisable then. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
