Is it a Nuclear Hedge? Why South Korea Should Reassure About Its Non-Weapons Nuclear Intentions

Matthew Sharp, Celia McDowall, and Toby Dalton | APLN

South Korea’s pursuit of civilian uranium enrichment and nuclear-powered submarines marks an expansion of its nuclear ambitions. While these initiatives are intended to advance the country’s commercial, industrial and defence objectives, their combination could fuel concerns that Seoul is seeking to develop nuclear weapons latency as a hedge against future security uncertainties. Such perceptions risk complicating international cooperation and undermining confidence in South Korea’s commitment to non-proliferation.

Iran Fortifying Nuclear Sites and Rallying Its People for Return to Fighting

Benoit Faucon | Wall Street Journal

Iran is fortifying its defenses, rallying loyalists and threatening a wider, harsher response against the U.S. and its Gulf allies as it prepares for potential American attacks after the midterms and seeks to deter them. Iranian officials have warned publicly and in private conversations with regional officials that the Islamic Republic will respond with further escalation across the Middle East if the U.S. launches new strikes.

North Korea’s Kim showcases missile capable of reaching U.S. as Trump signals possible meeting

Reuters/NBC News | October 13, 2026

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a defense industry museum displaying an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States, state media KCNA showed Tuesday. The report came a day after President Donald Trump said he might meet Kim during a planned trip to Asia. Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China in mid-November.

Whither Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles?

TSURUOKA Michito | The Diplomat

Debate over the three non-nuclear principles has resurfaced in Japan as the government of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae prepares a new National Security Strategy, due at the end of 2026. Even as the status of the principles is contested, some regard them as the country’s foundational principle (kokuze), while others describe them as a policy guideline, suggesting that the government is free to change it.  

Bangladesh’s Rooppur-1 Nuclear Plant Achieves First Criticality

David Dalton | NucNet

Unit 1 at the Rooppur nuclear power station being built by Russia in Bangladesh has achieved criticality with grid connection expected by the end of November. The 1,080-MW VVER V-523 pressurised water reactor unit, construction of which began in 2017, achieved first criticality at 15:34 on 11 October. First criticality is the milestone moment when a nuclear reactor achieves a self-sustaining, controlled chain reaction for the very first time. Rooppur, Bangladesh’s most expensive infrastructure facility, has considerable backing from Russia. Moscow is financing $11.9bn (€10.6bn) in state loans for the project, which has been estimated to cost up to $12.8bn.

Why are Houthi missiles breaking through Saudi Arabia’s air defences?

Rached El-Moctar | AlJazeera

Yemen’s Houthis, the armed group also known as Ansar Allah (Arabic for Supporters of God), are hitting deep inside Saudi Arabia with waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been targeted multiple times by the Houthis since their new military campaign against the kingdom began in September.  An attack on the airport on Saturday killed 12 people and wounded 309, the deadliest attack in the kingdom in more than a decade. Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority was forced to suspend operations and diverted all flights, while the United States and United Kingdom issued new travel warnings for citizens. The Houthis claimed two other attacks on the air hub earlier this week and on Sunday warned people to avoid Saudi airports.