Prognosticating Proliferation in Asia
Toby Dalton | Nonproliferation Review
With the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (otherwise known as the Iran nuclear deal) diminishing the near-term prospect of an Iranian nuclear bomb, most proliferation prognosticators would be likely to pick South Korea, Japan, or perhaps Taiwan as the next place that could opt to develop nuclear weapons.
As North Korea’s Arsenal Grows, Experts See Heightened Risk of ‘Miscalculation’
Joby Warrick | Washington Post
After a week in which Pyongyang successfully lobbed four intermediate-range missiles into the Sea of Japan, U.S. officials are no longer seeing North Korea’s weapons tests as amateurish, attention-grabbing provocations. Instead, they are viewed as evidence of a rapidly growing threat — and one that increasingly defies solution.
North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: Analysis Reveals Its Potential for Additional Testing with Significantly Higher Yields
Frank Pabian and David Coblentz | 38 North
Commercial satellite imagery of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site shows that substantial tunnel excavation is continuing at the “North” Portal (previously the “West” Portal), which provided support for the last four of the five declared underground nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The North Portal tunnels provide direct access under Mt. Mantap, where up to 800 meters of overlying rock is available for test containment.
Siemens Sets Milestone with First 3D-Printed Part Operating in Nuclear Power Plant
Global Energy World
Following the integration of 3D printing as part of its digital services portfolio, Siemens has achieved an industry breakthrough with the first successful commercial installation and continuing safe operation of a 3D-printed part in a nuclear power plant. Because of the stringent safety and reliability requirements in the nuclear sector, achieving this qualification is a significant accomplishment.
Russia Eyes Deal to Build Kenya’s Sole Nuclear Plant
Weitere Mwita | The Star
Russia has offered to design, finance and build Kenya’s proposed nuclear power plant. A delegation from Russia will pitch tent in Nairobi for the regional nuclear energy conference which kicks off today.
An EU Nuclear Deterrent Won’t Serve Western Interests
John R. Deni | Carnegie Europe
Although European deliberations over how to better provide for European security are positive, an EU nuclear deterrent wouldn’t solve inequitable burden sharing. In fact, it would do virtually nothing to enable Europe to deal with today’s most likely, most compelling security challenges on the continent and beyond.