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Strategic Warning and China's Nuclear Posture

IN THIS ISSUE: China's nuclear posture, Russia refuses to sign IAEA annual report, 2015 arms control compliance report, why Iran is not (solely) America's responsibility, UN, Iran head for showdown over nuclear inspections, Israel tested 'dirty-bomb cleanup' in the desert.

Published on June 9, 2015

Strategic Warning and China's Nuclear Posture

Tong Zhao | Diplomat

China reaffirms in its last national defense white paper that its nuclear weapons are only for two purposes – “strategic deterrence and nuclear counterattack.” It essentially removes any doubt that China might use nuclear weapons in conventional scenarios. This should put the debate about whether China has changed its NFU policy to an end.

Russia Refuses to Sign IAEA Annual Report, Says Sevastopol Not in Ukraine

Shadia Nasralla | Reuters

Russia has refused to sign off on the U.N. nuclear watchdog's annual report because the document lists a nuclear reactor near Crimea's Sevastopol as being in Ukraine, two diplomats present at the meeting told Reuters on Monday. 

2015 Report on Adherence to and Compliance With Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments

U.S. Department of State 

Arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation agreements and related commitments continue to be important tools to enhance and advance the security of the United States, our allies, and partners. 

Leave It to Europe: Why Iran Is Not (Solely) America's Responsibility

Cornelius Adebahr | National Interest

Washington should let its European allies take the initiative on a nuclear deal with Iran. After all, it was the European Union—particularly France, Germany and Britain—that laid the diplomatic groundwork since 2003. 

UN, Iran Head for Showdown Over Nuclear Inspections

George Jahn | Associated Press

The chief U.N. nuclear inspector said Monday that Iran has already committed to letting his experts see Iranian military sites and Iranian atomic scientists despite an alleged ban by Tehran, deepening a confrontation over how much openness Iran must accept under any nuclear deal.

Israel Tested 'Dirty-Bomb Cleanup' in the Desert

Chaim Levinson | Haaretz

Israel recently carried out a series of tests in the desert in conjunction with a four-year project at the Dimona nuclear reactor to measure the damage and other implications of the detonation of a so-called “dirty” radiological bomb by hostile forces. 

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