Thinking Nuclear: South Korean Attitudes on Nuclear Weapons
Toby Dalton, Karl Friedhoff, and Lami Kim | Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Once a topic for the political fringe, acquisition of nuclear weapons has become a mainstream feature of South Korea’s national security discourse. Public opinion polling over the last decade shows consistent majority support for nuclear possession. Leading political figures publicly discuss the idea of either developing a South Korean domestic nuclear weapons program or seeking the reintroduction of US tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula. In recent national elections, the conservative party included the return of US nuclear weapons in its policy platform. However, public attitudes around the distinctions between an independent nuclear arsenal and US deployment, as well as the potential implications of pursuing either option, are not well explored. Even though the nuclear issue is not prominent in campaigns ahead of South Korea’s March 2022 presidential election, the growing threats in the region and doubts about the security alliance with the United States make the nuclear question increasingly relevant.
Why Europe Is Looking to Nuclear Power to Fuel a Green Future
Mark Hibbs | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
European regulators recently proposed to include nuclear power and natural gas in a select group of energy sources, alongside renewables such as wind and solar power, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. . . . Some nuclear power advocates assert that the proposed regulation will encourage member states and investors to bring about a long-awaited reinvestment in Europe’s nuclear power infrastructure, while critics deplore the EC’s endorsement of natural gas (a fossil fuel) and nuclear power (a technology bearing severe residual risks and waste management uncertainties). A final decision on the EC’s proposal will be made by member states and the European Parliament during the coming six months. Below, Mark Hibbs digs into the proposal and what it could mean for nuclear power investors.
Europe’s Role in Promoting US-China Arms Control Cooperation
Tong Zhao | Hague Center for Strategic Studies
As the US-China strategic rivalry grows, the two countries face challenges to start arms control cooperation by themselves. However, their lack of capacity to manage the intensifying arms competition between themselves would have global implications. The negative impact on global stability would affect the security of European countries who find themselves caught in the battle between the two big powers. That said, European countries are key strategic players that both Washington and Beijing want to win the support of. They have influence and could play a useful role in promoting potential US-China arms control cooperation. The following sections discuss how European countries can engage with China at both the top leadership level and the operational levels and identify areas where Europe can help facilitate US-China communications on arms control issues. They offer technical suggestions on near-term risk reduction measures and longer-term steps to build capacity, in addition to potential diplomatic moves to raise attention and highlight common interests.
U.S. Nears Return to Iran Nuclear Deal
Laurence Norman | Wall Street Journal
Iran, the U.S., and other world powers are nearing a deal to revive the 2015 nuclear accord, although negotiators are still wrangling over significant final demands from Tehran, including the scope of sanctions relief. An agreement could be finalized in Vienna within the next couple of days, said officials involved in the talks. President Biden has made restoring the agreement a top foreign-policy goal. The White House views an agreement restraining Iran’s nuclear program as key to Middle East stability, allowing the U.S. to focus on China and Russia.
Putin Leads Sweeping Nuclear Exercises as Tensions Soar
Tom Balmforth and Maria Kiselyova | Reuters
Russian leader Vladimir Putin oversaw strategic nuclear exercises involving the launch of hypersonic ballistic missiles and other weapons on Saturday, the latest show of strength at a time of acute tension with the West over Ukraine. Putin watched the drills from a “situation centre” in the Kremlin, sitting alongside his close ally, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The drills involved launches from warships, submarines and warplanes as well as from land that struck targets on land and at sea, the Kremlin said.
No US Missile Defense System Proven Capable Against ‘Realistic’ ICBM Threats: Study
Theresa Hitchens | Breaking Defense
A new study of US missile defenses has found that — after 70 years and some $350 billion in investment — no “system thus far developed has been shown to be effective against realistic ICBM threats” to the homeland. It’s a conclusion with which the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency begs to differ. The study by the American Physical Society (APS) examined a hypothetical North Korean strike and current missile defense systems, such as ground-based interceptors, as well as more futuristic options in development, like directed energy weapons and space-based interceptors. It found today’s capabilities inadequate and future systems unlikely to do the job of defending the country in the next 15 years at least — even from a small number of North Korean missiles.