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Top Senate Democrats Break with White House and Circulate New Iran Sanctions Bill

IN THIS ISSUE: Democrats circulate new Iran sanctions bill, Iran can resume 20% enrichment in 24h, Russia plans rail-mounted missiles to counter CPGS, new head appointed to Pakistan's nuclear assets, China may have test fired new land-based missile, small nuclear reactors get boost from Energy Dept.

Published on December 19, 2013

Top Senate Democrats Break with White House and Circulate New Iran Sanctions Bill

Ali Gharib | Foreign Policy
Three top senators, including two Democrats, have begun circulating a draft of a new Iran sanctions bill that critics say could violate the terms of an agreement struck between Iran and the United States in Geneva last month. The bill defies the Obama administration's repeated requests for Congress to hold off on any new legislation that could imperil last month's interim nuclear pact with Iran while talks continue toward a comprehensive final deal. 
 

Zarif: Iran Can Resume 20% Enrichment in Less Than 24 Hours

Michael Wilner | Jerusalem Post 
Iran can resume 20 percent uranium enrichment in less than 24 hours, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said a day before the resumption of talks in Vienna on how to implement an interim nuclear deal aimed at temporarily freezing Iran’s nuclear program.
 

Russia Plans Rail-Mounted Missiles to Counter US Global Strike Program

RIA Novosti
Russia will draft a plan in the coming year to deploy rail-mounted nuclear missiles as a potential response to the United States’ Prompt Global Strike program, the commander of its Strategic Missile Force said on Wednesday.
 

New Head Appointed to Take Charge of Pakistan's Nuclear Assets

UPI
Pakistan appointed Lt. Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat to head the department responsible for developing and protecting the country's nuclear assets.
 

China May Have Test Fired Its New Land-Based Missile

Defense One
China last week reportedly carried out its second test-launch of a mysterious new strategic missile, which could have the ability to fire multiple warheads.
 

Small Nuclear Reactors Get Boost From US Energy Department

Nick Cunningham | Christian Science Monitor 
The US Department of Energy has awarded up to $226 million to support the development of small modular nuclear reactors. Small nuclear reactors can be constructed in factories and shipped to site, cutting costs and avoiding construction delays, but their benefits remain unproven.
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