Renewed Iran Nuclear Deal ‘Feasible’ as Talks Enter Likely Final Round
Stephanie Liechtenstein | Politico
A deal is within sight — depending on who you ask. Negotiators returned to the Austrian capital on Tuesday for the fifth — and likely final — round of discussions over bringing the U.S. and Iran back into compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, which curbed Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. Those involved say a deal is attainable, while cautioning that critical questions remain only partially answered. International inspectors were able to temporarily extend a nuclear monitoring agreement with Iran — avoiding the talks collapsing prematurely — and several countries are sending tentatively optimistic signals.
New North Korea Envoy to Be Part-Time Only
Chad O’Carroll | NK News
Sung Kim, the new U.S. special envoy to North Korea, will only fulfill his role on a part-time basis, multiple informed sources confirmed to NK News on Wednesday. His main job will continue to be U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, based in Jakarta. It had been assumed by many that Kim would be primarily focused on the North Korea portfolio. South Korean President Moon Jae-in described Kim’s unexpected appointment as a “surprise gift” over the weekend, and American and South Korean media described Kim as the former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia shortly after his new role was announced.
The Stands They Are a Changin’
Dave Schmerler | Arms Control Wonk
Studying North Korea’s ballistic missile program with satellite imagery requires knowing what type of activities to look for, identifying the locations related to missile development and testing, and monitoring those sites to track changes or activities as they happen. . . . Recently I was reviewing missile production related sites and stumbled upon a very unique structure which may be another, yet to be identified, engine test stand at the January 18th Factory, a site which reportedly produces rocket engines according to information from South Korea and a defector testimony.
Russia Raises Concerns Over U.S. Implementation of Arms Control Treaty
Reuters
Russia’s foreign ministry on Monday raised concerns over Washington’s implementation of the New START nuclear arms control treaty and said the number of U.S. launchers and bombers exceeded the agreed limit. The United States has said it is in full compliance with the treaty and that it stands by its conversion procedures to render launchers and heavy bombers incapable of employing nuclear weapons and put them outside the treaty.
Plan to Buy 145 B-21 Raider Bombers Gets Endorsement From Biden Air Force Nominee
Joseph Trevithick | The Drive
Frank Kendall, President Joe Biden’s nominee to become the next Secretary of the Air Force, says he supports the service’s current position that it needs to acquire at least 145 stealthy B-21 Raiders in the coming years. These aircraft, work on which is steadily progressing, are set to supplant its existing B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet, which comprises just 21 jets, in total, not all of which are available for combat operations, as well as its aging B-1Bs.
Tritium Upgrades at Savannah River Site ‘Essential’ for Nuclear Bomb Refurbishment
Colin Demarest | Aiken Standard
A yearslong effort to upgrade tritium facilities at the Savannah River Site recently wrapped, doubling some capacities there and enabling personnel to work on a nuclear gravity bomb refurbishment program. The improvements at the site, completed in February, will help U.S. defense agencies address “critical aging issues” in the B61 bomb, which first entered service in 1968, according to a National Nuclear Security Administration announcement.