North Korea and the Proof of Nuclear Adherence
Ankit Panda and Toby Dalton | Arms Control Today
U.S. and allied interests could be served by measures that fall short of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which remains a long-term objective. Although the Biden administration does not use the term “arms control” in describing its North Korea policy, achieving any practical progress would require limiting the quantitative growth and qualitative improvement of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. Among the many difficult issues that U.S. negotiators would have to address with Pyongyang, if and when negotiations resume, is how North Korean compliance with such limits could be verified and monitored. Innovative and even unorthodox approaches and tools can help render these challenges more manageable.
What the Restarting of North Korea’s Yongbyon Reactor Means
Ankit Panda | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
North Korea’s five-megawatt electrical reactor at its Yongbyon complex appears to be back up and running. The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has assessed that “since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor.” In the past, North Korea has reprocessed spent fuel rods from this reactor to produce plutonium for its arsenal of nuclear weapons. This remains the primary purpose of the reactor today.
MoD Could Move UK Nuclear Subs Abroad if Scotland Breaks Away
Sebastian Payne, Helen Warrell, and Mure Dickie| Financial Times
The UK has drawn up secret contingency plans to move its Trident nuclear submarine bases from Scotland to the US or France in the event of Scottish independence. Another option under consideration is for the UK to seek a long-term lease for the Royal Navy’s nuclear bases at their current location in Faslane and Coulport on the west coast of Scotland. This would create a British territory within the borders of a newly separate Scotland, said people briefed on the plans.
France, Germany Urge Iran to Return Speedily to Nuclear Deal Talks
Reuters
France and Germany on Wednesday urged Iran to return rapidly to nuclear negotiations, after a break in talks following Iranian elections in June, with Paris demanding an "immediate" restart amid Western concerns over Tehran's expanding atomic work. France's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told his newly-appointed Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in a telephone call it was urgent for Tehran to return to the talks, Le Drian's ministry said in a statement.
Satellite Imagery Shows North Korean Troops Preparing for Military Parade
Josh Smith | Reuters
North Korean troops have been spotted in commercial satellite imagery preparing for a likely military parade, according to two organizations that track the country. Possible dates for such an event are unconfirmed, but North Korea has used recent parades to unveil new military hardware, including large ballistic missiles.
Climate Change Worries Fuel Nuclear Dreams
America Hernandez | POLITICO
Nuclear power has some really big problems, which is why many EU countries are shutting down their reactors — but the accelerating pace of climate change is prompting second thoughts. There is growing queasiness in parts of Europe over plans by France, Germany, Spain and Belgium to shut down 32 nuclear reactors, representing 31.9 GW of CO2-free electricity capacity, by 2035.