Russia Challenges U.S. Compliance with Nuclear Arms Treaty
Vladimir Isachenkov | Associated Press
Russia on Monday challenged the U.S. claim that it has fulfilled its obligations under a pivotal nuclear arms deal, a new argument that could further fuel tensions between Moscow and Washington. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it “can’t confirm” the latest U.S. State Department data indicating that the U.S. has complied with the thresholds set by the 2010 New START treaty. It limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.
North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center: Quiet After the Pyongyang Summit
Frank Pabian and Jack Liu | 38 North
Recent commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center indicates no significant changes in the fissile material production areas since our last report. Dredging activities near the 5 MWe reactor’s secondary cooling system continue, and minimal movements of vehicles and equipment have taken place near the 5 MWe reactor and Experimental Light Water Reactor (ELWR). Additionally, harvest related activities, such as drying and aggregating various crops that are grown onsite, have increased throughout the Yongbyon complex.
U.S. Indicts Russians in Hacking of Nuclear Company Westinghouse
Sarah Lynch, Lisa Lambert, and Christopher Bing | Reuters
The United States on Thursday charged seven Russian intelligence officers with conspiring to hack computers and steal data from the nuclear energy company Westinghouse Electric Co as well as anti-doping watchdogs, sporting federations and an international agency probing the use of chemical weapons.
Pompeo Hails ‘Significant’ North Korea Progress; Experts Skeptical
Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom | Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday hailed “significant progress” in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the weekend and said the sides were “pretty close” to agreeing details for a second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump. However, experts questioned what Pompeo had achieved on Sunday on his fourth visit to Pyongyang this year. They said the North Korean leader appeared simply to be repackaging and dragging out past pledges.
Secretary of State Pompeo Reassures Japan on the way to meet Kim in North Korea
Simon Denyer | Washington Post
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday and reassured him Japan’s interests would not be forgotten as he heads to Pyongyang to continue talks over North Korea’s nuclear and missile program. Pompeo left for Pyongyang on Sunday where he is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as he tries to set the stage for another summit between Kim and President Trump.
Air Force Introduces Hypersonic Flight Research Vehicle
Kyle Rempfer | Air Force Times
The Air Force has officially named the hypersonic flight research vehicle it is testing. The vehicle, dubbed X-60A, is being developed by Generation Orbit Launch Services Inc., under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Aerospace Systems Directorate and High Speed Systems Division. X-60A is an air-dropped liquid rocket, purpose-built for hypersonic flight research.