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The First Strike Trap

IN THIS ISSUE: The first strike trap, Ban's N. Korea visit shows Pyongyang's shift to re-engagement: U.S. experts, forget China – N. Korea markets missiles despite Iran nuclear deal, tensions in Iran after nuclear deal grow in hostility, China to build two nuclear plants in Argentina in $15bn deal, India-Australia agreement complete

Published on November 17, 2015

The First Strike Trap

Alexey Arbatov | Carnegie Moscow Center

President Vladimir Putin uttered a memorable phrase last month at the Valdai Forum, saying, “I learned one rule on the streets of Leningrad fifty years ago—if a fight is inevitable, strike first.”  Putin was making a point about the war against terrorism, where the “strike first” principle can certainly be justified.

Ban's N. Korea Visit Shows Pyongyang's Shift to Re-Engagement: U.S. Experts

Chang Jae-soon | Yonhap News Agency

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's upcoming visit to North Korea is yet more evidence of Pyongyang's shift toward re-engagement with the international community for possible economic reasons, a U.S. expert said Monday.  Ban's scheduled visit to Pyongyang this week is expected to include a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a high-level U.N. source told Yonhap News Agency.

Forget China – N. Korea Markets Missiles Despite Iran Nuclear Deal

Donald Kirk | Forbes

How inclined are the North Koreans to listen to the Chinese?  While Iran, the North's partner on missile and nuclear deals, has agreed to stay away from enriching uranium for nuclear weapons, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un remains impervious to pleas to follow that example.

Tensions in Iran After Nuclear Deal Grow in Hostility

Rick Gladstone and Thomas Erdbrink | New York Times

Tensions between the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, and more conservative authorities over the country's nuclear agreement and its future are turning increasingly bitter, punctuated by public exchanges and growing signs of an anti-American backlash, including arrests.

China to Build Two Nuclear Plants in Argentina in $15bn Deal

Jamil Anderlini and John Paul Rathbone | Financial Times

China has agreed to finance and build two nuclear power plants in Argentina in a deal that will showcase Chinese technology and could be worth up to $15bn, according to Chinese state media and reports from Argentina.

India-Australia Agreement Complete

World Nuclear News

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Malcolm Turnbull announced the completion of procedures, including administrative arrangements, for the India Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement in a meeting held on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey.

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