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Iran Expands Nuclear Capacity, Delays Sensitive Reactor: IAEA

IN THIS ISSUE: Iran expands nuclear capacity, delays sensitive reactor: IAEA, Japan upgrades Fukushima nuclear leak to "serious incident," Iran's nuclear progress prompts call for tighter sanctions from top Democrat, Iran pragmatism may keep nuclear talks alive after Syria strikes, future may be bright for modular nuclear reactors, a new direction for China's North Korea policy.

Published on August 29, 2013

Iran Expands Nuclear Capacity, Delays Sensitive Reactor: IAEA

Fredrik Dahl | Reuters

Iran plans to test about 1,000 advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges it has completed installing, a U.N. nuclear report showed, a move likely to worry Western capitals hoping for a change of course under the country's new president.

Japan Upgrades Fukushima Nuclear Leak to “Serious Incident,” Slams Plant Operator for Late Response

CBS News

Japan's nuclear regulator on Wednesday upgraded the rating of a leak of radiation-contaminated water from a tank at its tsunami-wrecked nuclear plant to a "serious incident" on an international scale, and it castigated the plant operator for failing to catch the problem earlier.

Iran’s Nuclear Progress Prompts Call for Tighter Sanctions from top Democrat

Guy Taylor | Washington Times

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Wednesday that new findings by the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency show the need for Washington to significantly broaden U.S. sanctions on Iran in order to prevent the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran Pragmatism May Keep Nuclear Talks Alive After Syria Strikes

Ladane Nasseri and Leon Mangasarian | Bloomberg

Iran’s interest in better relations with the West is likely to keep nuclear talks on track even if the U.S. and allies attack Iranian ally Syria to punish it for using chemical weapons, analysts said.

Future May Be Bright For Modular Nuclear Reactors

Michael Lynch | Forbes

The planned shutdown of the Vermont Yankee in the face of cheap, natural-gas fueled power, may seem to drive a stake in the heart of the nuclear revival, but the lesson should not be misinterpreted. 

A New Direction for China’s North Korea Policy

Antoine Bondaz | Carnegie-Tsinghua Center

North Korea has made a habit of intentionally provoking its neighbors—including China, its sole remaining patron—and then offering conciliatory gestures to the international community.

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.