February 19, 2015

A Failed Effort to Toughen Nuclear Safety Standards

Mark Hibbs | Carnegie Q&A

The Convention on Nuclear Safety, which includes nearly every country that operates nuclear power plants, has been considering whether to legally compel participating states to meet specific safety standards. A push to amend the convention was launched after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. After a year of diplomacy, the effort failed in February 2015. 

New Round of Iran Nuclear Talks to be Held in Geneva 

Middle East Eye

US officials say negotiating team headed to Switzerland on Thursday in hopes of establishing framework agreement by 31 March. Two deadlines for a permanent agreement have already been missed since a November 2013 interim deal. 

Fear of Israeli Leaks Fuels Distrust Over U.S. Talks With Iran

David E. Sanger | New York Times

"This could be a problem if we finally strike a deal," said a participant in the negotiations who refused to speak on the record on the insistence of the White House and the State Department. 

Russian Shipbuilder Sets Post-Soviet Record by Building Four Nuke Subs Simultaneously

Matthew Bodner | The Moscow Times

Sevmash is now building two new Borei- and Yasen-class submarines each, a rate of production unheard of in modern Russian history, according to a statement published on the shipyard's website Tuesday.

Foreign Advisers Fear for Loss of Nuclear Regulator's Independence

Japan Times

International advisers to the Nuclear Regulation Authority are worried that a mandatory review of its performance could lead to a loss of independence for the body, created in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

South Korea's Self-Defense Needs: Does China Get a Veto?

Scott A. Snyder | Council on Foreign Relations

Both North Korea's commitment to improving its missile capabilities and South Korea’s assessment of its own missile defense needs—regardless of whether they are met through indigenous production or through procurement—are beyond China’s control.