Iran Deal Critics to Trump: Please Don't Rip It Up
Politico
President-elect Donald Trump spent much of his campaign railing against the Iran nuclear deal, even raising the possibility of scrapping the agreement immediately upon taking office. But many of the deal’s most ardent critics are now saying: "Slow down."
House Votes to Extend Iran Sanctions in Bid to Ensure Nuclear Compliance
Rick Gladstone | New York Times
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday for legislation to extend American sanctions on Iran for 10 years, a move that proponents called critical economic leverage to ensure Iranian compliance with an international nuclear agreement. The legislation, known as the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, needs Senate approval and President Obama’s signature before the end of the year, when American sanctions are set to expire.
UNSC Expected to Adopt Resolution Against N.K. Next Week: Sources
Yonhap News
The United Nations Security Council is expected to adopt a much-delayed resolution aimed at penalizing North Korea for its latest nuclear test next week as the U.S. and China have narrowed their differences on proposed curbs on its coal exports, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
German Lawmaker Says Europe Must Consider Own Nuclear Deterrence Plan
Andrea Shalal | Reuters
Europe needs to think about developing its own nuclear deterrent strategy given concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could scale back U.S. military commitments in Europe, a senior member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives said. Roderich Kiesewetter, foreign policy spokesman for the conservative bloc in parliament, told Reuters that Germany could play an important role in convincing nuclear powers France and Britain to provide security guarantees for all of Europe.
Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: No Indications That a Test is Imminent
38 North
Recent commercial satellite imagery from October 29 and November 9 shows continued low-level activity at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility. This activity suggests that maintenance and minor excavation operations are taking place at the North and West Portals and that maintenance is likely underway at the Command Center. There are no definitive indications that another test is imminent, however, the site remains capable of further testing with little notice, once the decision to move forward is made.
European Leaders and Obama to Discuss Russia Sanctions in Berlin
Reuters
European leaders and President Barack Obama on Friday will discuss extending sanctions imposed on Russia for its intervention in Ukraine, and possible new sanctions for its bombing in Syria, sources familiar with the plans said. The meeting in Berlin, hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and including the leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Spain, comes a little over a week after Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election.