Kim Jong Un and Daughter Watch Missile Test Simulating Nuclear Attack on US, ROK
Colin Zwirko | NK News
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took his daughter to another missile test on Sunday aimed at “simulating a nuclear attack on a major target of the enemy,” according to state media. The Rodong Sinmun reported Monday that the test should serve as a “warning” to the U.S. and South Korea and accused Washington of “frantically escalating” tensions by bringing nuclear-capable weapons systems to the Korean Peninsula for ongoing joint exercises. It said North Korea’s “nuclear attack” drills lasted two days, beginning with repeated “command and control” exercises on Saturday and a single missile test Sunday.
US Says China and Russia Blocking UN Action on North Korea
EDITH M. LEDERER | Associated Press
The United States accused China and Russia on Monday of shielding North Korea from any action by the U.N. Security Council for its unprecedented spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches, which violate multiple U.N. resolutions and jeopardize international aviation and maritime safety. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a council meeting that Chinese and Russian “obstructionism” was encouraging North Korea “to launch ballistic missiles with impunity” and advance its development of more sophisticated and dangerous weapons. After the meeting, she read a statement on behalf of council members Albania, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, joined by South Korea, that condemned the launches.
Republicans Urge White House to Crack Down on Russia-China Nuclear Co-operation
Felicia Schwartz | Financial Times
Top Republicans are urging the White House to crack down on nuclear co-operation between Russia and China following reports that Moscow’s state-owned nuclear energy company is providing highly enriched uranium to Beijing. In a letter sent to US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday, the chairs of the House armed services, foreign affairs and intelligence committees expressed concern that Russia’s Rosatom is supplying uranium for Chinese fast-breeder reactors. These facilities are used to produce plutonium that could help China increase its stockpile of nuclear warheads.
Australia Says It’s Not Committed to Taking the U.S. Side in a Conflict With China Over Taiwan
Rod McGuirk | TIME
The Australian defense minister says his country has made no promises to the United States that Australia would support its ally in any future conflict over Taiwan in exchange for American nuclear-powered submarines…Australian critics of the deal argue that the United States would not hand over as many as five of its Virginia-class submarines without assurances that they would be made available in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.
Spectre of Maralinga Hangs Over Aukus Nuclear Waste for Indigenous Communities
Sarah Collard and Donna Lu | The Guardian
Behind all the pomp of the Aukus submarine deal in San Diego there was a detail that could prove a much bigger obstacle than even the massive USS Missouri moored near the three leaders. Under the agreement, Australia will be responsible for storing high-level nuclear waste from the decommissioned reactors…One possible location could be a defence site within the Woomera region, an area spanning 122,000 sq km about 450km north-west of Adelaide. The area has long been used for nuclear testing and as a military base. The Woomera prohibited area takes in the traditional lands the Maralinga Tjarutja and Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yunkunytjatjara, as well as the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara, Arabana and Kokatha.
US, Japan Exploring Partnership on Hypersonic Missile Interceptor
Jen Judson | DefenseNews
The U.S. and Japan are exploring a partnership to develop a hypersonic missile defense capability as the Pentagon enters the early stages of a program to develop an interceptor capable of neutralizing hypersonic threats in the glide phase of flight. Vice Adm. Jon Hill, who leads the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, confirmed last week that the organization is considering cooperation with Japan to work on the Glide Phase Interceptor, or GPI, one of the agency’s top priorities.