‘No First Use’ Nuclear Policy Proposal Assailed by U.S. Cabinet Officials, Allies
Paul Sonne, Gordon Lubold and Carol E. Lee | Wall Street Journal
A proposal under consideration at the White House to reverse decades of U.S. nuclear policy by declaring a “No First Use” protocol for nuclear weapons has run into opposition from top cabinet officials and U.S. allies. The opposition, from Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, as well as allies in Europe and Asia, leaves President Barack Obama with few ambitious options to enhance his nuclear disarmament agenda before leaving office, unless he wants to override the dissent.
South Korea to Expand Presence of Domestic Ballistic, Cruise Missiles
Elizabeth Shim | UPI
South Korea's military is planning to step up deployment of domestically developed ballistic missiles. Seoul's ballistic missiles the Hyeonmu-2A and 2B and cruise missile Hyeonmu-3 are to be deployed in larger quantities, local newspaper Donga Ilbo reported Sunday. The decision comes at a time when South Korea is looking for a means to respond to incoming North Korean missiles with a pre-emptive strike or a neutralization of the weapon.
Russia Building New Underground Nuclear Command Posts
Bill Gertz | Washington Free Beacon
Russia is building large numbers of underground nuclear command bunkers in the latest sign Moscow is moving ahead with a major strategic forces modernization program. U.S. intelligence officials said construction has been underway for several years on “dozens” of underground bunkers in Moscow and around the country.
Top U.S. Army General Seeks to Assure China on Missile Defense System
Gordon Lubold | Wall Street Journal
The U.S. Army’s top general, on a swing through Asia this week, stopped here to meet his counterpart and assure the Chinese military that a deployment of a controversial missile defense system in South Korea didn't amount to a threat to China. Gen. Mark Milley, the U.S. Army chief of staff, told Gen. Li Zuocheng, who heads the ground forces of the People’s Liberation Army, that the coming deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to South Korea is only meant to defend South Korea and the U.S. against North Korean ballistic missiles.
Abe, Modi to Confer on Nuclear Deal/Meeting Eyed for Mid-Nov. in Tokyo
Japan Times
The government is considering hosting India Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo in mid-November, according to sources, with nuclear cooperation on the agenda. During the meeting, Abe and Modi intend to sign a nuclear cooperation accord that allows for trade in equipment and technology related to nuclear power plants. In preparation, both sides will soon start full-fledged talks to decide on wording in the accord, the sources said. Also likely to be discussed in the meeting will be the strengthening of security cooperation.
Ikata Nuclear Plant’s No. 3 Reactor Begins Generating Power
Japan Times
The Ikata nuclear plant began generating electricity Monday, ahead of its planned reconnection to the grid on Sept. 7, operator Shikoku Electric Power Co. said. The plant in Ehime Prefecture is one of only two nuclear power stations currently operating in Japan, despite the government seeking to plug back into the energy source more than five years after the Fukushima crisis.