Looking Back: Compliance Versus Bargaining - An Implication of the Iran Nuclear Deal
George Perkovich
The Iran nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), passes a milestone this month, which invites thinking about some of the agreement’s implications. One year ago, October 18, 2015, was “adoption day,”1 the date on which the accord came into effect and participants began taking steps necessary to implement their commitments. Among other things, the negotiations that produced the agreement showed a dynamic that may affect how states approach future proliferation conflicts and the potential for resolving them diplomatically. The issue is whether a proliferation dispute is framed as a matter of compliance with rules or as a matter of bargaining for a fair deal instead.
Impolitic Musings
George Perkovich
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar expressed personal doubts about India’s nuclear no-first-use policy last week: “Why should I bind myself? I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly.” The statement elicited buzz in South Asia and among nuclear cognoscenti around the world, even though Parrikar is unlikely to shape Indian nuclear policy. Intentionally or not, the defence minister’s rhetoric provides an opportunity to think seriously about the dilemmas in the making of a sound national security policy in media-age democracies.
Concerns Over Nuclear Tests Linger in Agreement With India
Japan News
By signing a nuclear cooperation agreement with India, the Japanese government is seeking to both promote exports of nuclear power technologies — a pillar of the administration’s growth strategy — and strengthen ties with India to restrain China. Although the two countries agreed on terms to suspend cooperation should India conduct a nuclear bomb test, diverging views remain.
After Fighting US & NSG on Linkage, India Agrees to Tie Japan Nuclear Deal to N-Test Moratorium
Devirupa Mitra | Wire
Even as Japan agreed to sign a nuclear deal with a country that is not a signatory to the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), India has for the first time accepted that nuclear cooperation can be terminated if it conducts a nuclear test In the future – a legally binding assurance that it had so far refused to give to the US and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). On Friday, India and Japan signed the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy in the presence of their prime ministers, Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, at the Kantei in Tokyo.
US DOE Sells Depleted Uranium for Laser Enrichment
World Nuclear News
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has agreed to sell around 300,000 tonnes of depleted uranium hexafluoride to GE Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) for re-enrichment at a proposed plant to be built near DOE's Paducah site in Kentucky. The agreement paves the way for commercialisation of Silex laser enrichment technology.
Obama to Reassure U.S. Allies About Trump's Commitment to NATO
Reuters
President Barack Obama said on Monday he would reassure U.S. allies during his trip overseas this week that Republican President-elect Donald Trump plans to maintain core U.S. strategic relationships around the world, including with NATO. Obama, speaking ahead of a trip to Europe and Latin America, said one of the most important things he could do during his visit was to reassure U.S. allies who may be concerned following Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton last week.