N. Korea Threatens Revival of its Two-Track Approach of Nuclear and Economic Development
Hankyoreh
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) printed a piece claiming Pyongyang’s so-called “two-track approach” of economic and nuclear weapon development could be revived, describing improved relations with the US and sanctions as “incompatible with each other.” The message was seen as part of a bid to apply peripheral pressure on the US to change its stance on sanctions ahead of a high-level meeting reportedly set to take place between the two sides in New York on Nov. 7-8.
Toward a Ban on Deployment and Production of Kim’s Missiles
Leon Sigal | 38 North
By suspending test-launches of missiles before completing the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Kim Jong Un opened the door to a summit meeting with President Donald Trump and gave the most important sign to date of his willingness to negotiate denuclearization.
Iran Open to Talks with U.S. if Trump Changes Approach to Nuclear Deal, Top Diplomat Says
Kim Hjelmgaard | USA Today
As Iranians braced for the full restoration of economic sanctions imposed Monday by the Trump administration, their government signaled it would be open to talking to the United States about a new nuclear arms accord if Washington changes its approach to discussing the agreement it abandoned this year. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s top diplomat, told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview over the weekend that his government would consider diplomacy if there were "foundations for a fruitful dialogue" on the Iran nuclear reduction deal.
Iran Sanctions: Trump Administration Exempts Eight Countries, Including China, from New Penalties
Deirdre Shesgreen | USA Today
The Trump administration will allow Japan, China, India and five other countries to escape U.S. sanctions against Iran, even as those nations continue to buy oil from Iran in defiance of the White House’s push to block all such sales. The decision to grant eight exemptions – including to six of Iran's biggest oil-buying customers – sparked some criticism among hardline conservatives who are normally aligned with the White House.
India says Nuclear Submarine Makes First Patrol, Modi Warns Against ‘Misadventure’
Reuters
India said on Monday its first domestically built nuclear-powered submarine had recently completed a “deterrence patrol”, giving it the capability to fire nuclear weapons from land, air and sea in the event of any “misadventure” by enemies. With nuclear-armed China to its north and nuclear-armed Pakistan to its west - both of which India has fought wars with - India’s nationalist prime minister, Narendra Modi, said the INS Arihant was a “fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail”.
Here's when all of America’s New Nuclear Warhead Designs will be Active—and how much they’ll Cost
Aaron Mehta | Defense News
Estimates for the cost of America’s nuclear warheads have gone up in the last year, as the government prepares to develop and maintain as many as nine new systems in the next 25 years. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s fiscal 2019 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan, released Thursday lays out the investments that could be needed for the NNSA over the next two and a half decades.