Keine Atombombe, Bitte: Why Germany Should Not Go Nuclear
Ulrich Kühn, Tristan Volpe | Foreign Affairs
The election of U.S. President Donald Trump last November confounded Berlin. What, German politicians, policymakers, and journalists wondered, should they make of Trump’s vague or even hostile stances toward the EU and NATO or his apparent embrace of Russia? Those fears have given new life to an old idea: a European nuclear deterrent. Some German commentators even suggested that those proposing a British-French deterrent under the auspices of the EU didn’t go far enough. For now, those calling for a German bomb are a fringe minority. For decades, Germany has stood as one of the world’s staunchest supporters of nuclear nonproliferation and global disarmament. But even though Germany’s current nuclear flirtation may reflect nothing more than a passing reaction to Trump’s presidency, it reveals a deeper problem: insecurity in Berlin, caused by years of meandering U.S. policy toward Russia and Europe.
Energy Industry in Wait-and-See Mode Upon Moon’s Anti-Nuclear Policy
Korea Herald
The energy industry has been showing mixed reactions to the anti-nuclear energy policy touted by President Moon Jae-in, taking a wait-and-see approach for now, as proponents and opponents alike weigh in on the efficacy, importance and reality of realizing no-coal, no-nuclear initiatives. Upon taking office last month, the Moon administration vowed to scrap all new constructions of new nuclear power plants, suspend building of the Shin-Kori No. 5 and 6 plants in Ulsan, close down the Wolsung No. 1 nuclear unit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and establish a road map to reduce reliance on nuclear energy.
Iran Says Trump Administration Will End Up Abiding by Nuclear Deal
Reuters
Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said on Monday the Trump administration will end up abiding by the 2015 nuclear deal despite its protestations to the contrary because it is in the national interest of the United States. Trump has previously said that the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran is a "disaster" and the "worst deal ever negotiated".
Taiwan Reaffirms Goal of Phasing Out Nuclear Power by 2025
China Post
In Taiwan, the Cabinet reiterated Monday the government's resolve to move away from nuclear power, as it sought to reassure environmentalists who were protesting against the recent reactivation of a reactor at the country's second nuclear power plant. The government remains committed to the goal of decommissioning the three operational nuclear power plants as scheduled and making Taiwan nuclear-free by 2025, Cabinet spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) said.
France to Close Some Nuclear Reactors, Says Ecology Minister Hulot
Reuters
French environment and energy minister Nicolas Hulot said on Monday that the government plans to close some nuclear reactors of state-controlled utility EDF (EDF.PA) to reduce nuclear's share of the country's power mix. He gave no indication of timing. Hulot told reporters at the G7 environment summit in the Italian city of Bologna that it was too early to give numbers about France's aim to reduce the share of nuclear in its power generation to 50 percent from the current 75 percent.
Six Years After Fukushima Disaster, Japan to Restart Two Nuclear Reactors Amid Environmental Concerns
Firstpost
A Japanese court on Tuesday gave the green light to switch on two more nuclear reactors despite heavy public opposition, in the latest victory for the government's pro-atomic push. Local residents lost their bid for an injunction to block the refiring of the No.3 and No.4 reactors at the Genkai nuclear plant in southwestern Japan on safety grounds, according to a district court official.