Trump Stokes Iran Tensions With Threats of Dire Consequences for Tehran
Missy Ryan, Philip Rucker, and Karen DeYoung | Washington Post
Tension between the United States and Iran escalated Monday after President Trump appeared to threaten military action in a bellicose tweet and Iranian officials vowed to resist any attempt to destabilize their country.
North Korea Begins Dismantling Key Facilities at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. | 38 North
In an important first step towards fulfilling a commitment made by Kim Jong Un at the June 12 Singapore Summit, new commercial satellite imagery of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station (North Korea’s main satellite launch facility since 2012) indicates that the North has begun dismantling key facilities.
In Private, Trump Vents Frustration Over Lack of Progress on North Korea
John Hudson, Josh Dawsey, and Carol Leonnig | Washington Post
In the days and weeks since the Singapore summit, U.S. negotiators have faced stiff resistance from a North Korean team practiced in the art of delay and obfuscation. The lack of immediate progress, though predicted by many analysts, has frustrated the president, who has fumed at his aides in private even as he publicly hails the success of the negotiations.
Top Pentagon Policy Official Says U.S. Seeking New Talks With Russia
Tony Bertuca | Inside Defense
The Pentagon is in the process of arranging new talks with the Russian military, according to Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood.” We are in the process of trying to arrange a period of time—a date, a place—to meet to have strategic stability talks,” he said during an interview at the Aspen Security Forum.
Trump Administration Moves to Neuter Nuclear Safety Board
Rebecca Moss| Santa Fe New Mexican
The Trump administration has quietly taken steps that may inhibit independent oversight of its most high-risk nuclear facilities, including some buildings at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy document shows. An order published on the department’s website in mid-May outlines new limits on the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Kill the NPT Collapse Thesis
Kjølv Egeland | European Leadership Network
A number of analysts have in recent months contended that the NPT process is at risk of “crumbling” or is damaged “beyond repair.” But the fear-mongering is unfounded. However, not only is the NPT “collapse thesis” wrong, it is detrimental to the goals of non-proliferation and disarmament.