Edition

Evidence Points to Syrian Push for Nuclear Weapons

IN THIS ISSUE: Evidence points to Syrian push for nuclear weapons, Iran denies aiding Assad, Salehi insists on enrichment, N. Korea's SINPO-class sub, N. Korea offers to suspend nuclear tests if US calls off military drills, S. Korea might shut ageing nuclear reactor after cyberattack.

Published on January 13, 2015

Evidence Points to Syrian Push for Nuclear Weapons

Erich Follat | Der Spiegel

For years, it was thought that Israel had destroyed Syria's nuclear weapons capability with its 2007 raid on the Kibar complex. Not so. New intelligence suggests that Bashar al-Assad is still trying to build the bomb. And he may be getting help from North Korea and Iran.

Iran Denies Aiding Assad in Alleged Nuclear Project

Marissa Newman | Times of Israel

Iran on Sunday dismissed as "ridiculous" a report that it had supported Syrian President Bashar Assad in alleged efforts to construct a secret underground nuclear plant

Iran Nuclear Chief Insists on Enrichment Ahead of Talks

Yahoo! News

Iran's atomic agency chief insisted Sunday on Tehran's demands for increased uranium enrichment, days before the resumption of thorny talks with world powers in Geneva.

North Korea's SINPO-class Sub: New Evidence of Possible Vertical Missile 

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. | 38 North

Recent commercial satellite imagery indicates that the conning tower of a new North Korean submarine first seen in July 2014 houses 1-2 possible vertical launch tubes for either ballistic or cruise missiles.

North Korea Offers to Suspend Nuclear Tests if U.S. Calls Off Military Drills

Asahi Shimbun

North Korea said on Jan. 10 it was willing to suspend nuclear tests if the United States agreed to call off annual military drills held jointly with South Korea, but Washington rejected the proposal as a veiled threat.

South Korea Might Shut Ageing Nuclear Reactor After Cyberattack on Operator

South China Morning Post

Last month's hacking of South Korea's nuclear operator means the country's second-oldest reactor may be shut permanently due to safety concerns, said several nuclear watchdog commissioners, raising the risk that other ageing reactors may also be closed.

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.