Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest1 Nuclear, Missile&

Space Digest

Indian Pugwash Society

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Volume 11, Number 18 A Fortnightly Newsletter from the Indian Pugwash Society September 30, 2019

ConvenorAmb. Sujan R. Chinoy

Executive CouncilCdr. (Dr.) Probal K. Ghosh

Air Marshal S. G. Inamdar(Retd.)

Dr. Roshan Khanijo

Amb. R. Rajagopalan

Dr. Rajesh Rajagopalan

Shri Dinesh KumarYadvendra

A. India “Imran Khan Hypes Kashmir, Personally Attacks PM Modi”: Ex-US Envoy Chandrayaan 2 Completes Final In-Orbit Manoeuvre Before India’s Maiden

Moon Landing On 7 Sept Russia plans to set up above 20 nuclear power units in India in next 20 years “India Will Not Balk At Using Strength To Defend Itself”: Rajnath Singh Explained: Chandrayaan-2, in perspective Lander ‘tilted’ not broken, says ISRO Modi should correct Vajpayee wrong on nuclear ‘no first use’: Diplomat

Jaimini Bhagwati Chandrayaan 2: Nobel laureate entrusts Indian scientists, says ‘they will

soon master the setbacks of lunar mission’ Devices onboard Chandrayaan-2 orbiter gamechangers Chandrayaan 2: Here’s how NASA is helping ISRO in reviving

Vikram Lander

B. China China issues white paper on nuclear safety China Focus: China issues white paper on nuclear safety, stressing int’l

cooperation US ban for nuclear firm harms own interests China to build lab for radioactive waste disposal China’s lunar rover travels over 284 meters on moon’s far side China sends H-6K bombers to Russia for strategic drills Chinese netizens encourage India’s lunar dream despite failure Implementation phase of China-funded Egyptian satellite project kicks off China’s giant telescope picks up mysterious signals from deep space Polar observation satellite will debut soon Beijing deploys drones for South China Sea surveillance Intrusion of Canadian warship raises China’s ire China and Russia to reach deals, including aerospace, nuclear energy:

MOFCOM China to build warship for Thailand China, Malaysia to set up South China Sea mechanism

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China launches three new satellites China’s BeiDou has 39 satellites in orbit as construction to be completed next year First polar observation satellite launched into orbit China welcomes DPRK-U.S. dialogue resumption Second parade rehearsal held; new weapons spotted China ready to defend against drone attacks after Saudi Arabia oil hit China unveils supersonic spy drone during National Day military parade rehearsal Could a tiny Chinese magnetic sensor be up to the huge task of tracking submarines?

C. Pakistan PM Imran seeks to quell talk of war with India PM Khan: Pakistan would not use nuclear weapons first, amid tensions with India No change in Pakistan’s nuclear policy: FO No first use of N-weapons not policy: DG ISPR

D. USA U.S. Treasury warns anyone fueling Iran tanker risks being blacklisted Nuclear power is the ‘silent giant’ being invited finally to speak Not great, not terrible: US tests refurbished missiles after admission nuclear refit lagging

behind Nuclear industry urges Trump to revive uranium mining with Cold War-era rule U.S. hopes for North Korea talks in days, weeks – Pompeo North Korea could warm up to talks after removal of ‘war maniac’ Bolton USA begins first commercial testing of silicide fuel U.S. won’t rule out Trump-Rouhani meeting after blaming Iran for Saudi attacks

E. Europe Finland may allow $2.9 billion nuclear waste fund to invest in stocks Restart of Scotland nuclear reactor where cracks found delayed again China still pursuing nuclear fuel processing plant with Areva: official Iran and Europe unlikely to agree on nuclear pact in next few days: Rouhani Trump Administration cool to French plan for $15 billion Iranian credit line: officials UK and Israeli leaders agree on need to stop Iran getting nuclear weapon Britain deeply concerned at Iran’s plan for faster uranium enrichment Germany urges Iran to change course on nuclear commitments France to pursue efforts to bring Iran to comply with nuclear deal-minister France says Iran actions negative, but dialogue still open Britain accuses Iran of selling Adrian Darya 1 tanker oil to Syria EU creates defence and space branch ‘to complement NATO’ Merkel: We’ll keep trying to find solutions with Iran to avoid escalation French regulator puts EDF Flamanville nuclear plant on safety watch U.S. backs proposed $6.5 billion sale of 32 F-35 Lockheed jets to Poland France flags welding fault at five or more EDF nuclear reactors Bosnia protects Una river to try to block Croatian nuclear waste plan

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest3

Britain’s move to join U.S. Gulf mission frustrates European plans European powers urge Iran to return to nuclear accord compliance

F. Russia Russia Backs French Efforts to Uphold Nuclear Deal This Dangerous Russian Submarine Was Built to Sink U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Test-ban body chief enters race to lead U.N. nuclear watchdog Russian Nuclear Blast Debris Is Still Emitting Radiation, Reports Say Putin Says Russia Will Produce New Missiles After Demise of Nuclear Pact Rosatom wins licence to build second nuclear reactor in Turkey Rosatom says close to signing contract for Uzbekistan nuclear reactors ‘Russia to make efforts to preserve nuclear deal’ ‘Potentially Dangerous’ Objects Found in Northern Russia After Accident Russia nearly ready for reciprocal response after U.S. missile test – RIA Russian Nuclear-Powered Cargo Ship Loaded With Seafood Approaches Norway Russian Navy to get four nuclear subs next year — shipyard Trump’s ‘Bolton-free’ policy plans and Moscow’s multilateral strategic model Russia Is Building Submarines to Deliver a ‘Radioactive Tsunami’ Leningrad II-2 fitted with dummy assemblies ahead of March fuel loading Russia’s first sea-borne nuclear power plant arrives to its base

West Asia

G. Iran Iran warns EU over nuclear commitments as deadline for further steps looms Iran says it closes gaps with France in talks on nuclear deal US won’t waive sanctions to allow French-proposed Iran credit line Defiant Iran pooh-poohs US sanctions on its space program Iran gives Europe two more months to save nuclear deal Iran nuclear crisis in 300 words EU urges Iran to ‘reverse’ scale-back from N-deal Iran ‘inching’ toward place where talks could be held: Pentagon chief Iran takes further step to scale back nuclear commitments Third step: Iran officially informs EU of plan to expand nuclear R&D Pompeo says Iran nuclear commitment cuts ‘unacceptable’

  Iran further breaches nuclear deal, says it can exceed 20% enrichment IAEA found uranium traces at Iran ‘atomic warehouse’ — diplomats

  U.S. Says Iran possibly Conducting Secret Activities Rouhani to Merkel: Iran’s interests must be guaranteed in nuclear deal Expert: Non-European trade partners better for Iran Talks with U.S. under sanctions meaningless, Rouhani says Through seeking talks with Iran, Trump intends the region to recognize Israel: ex-

diplomat Iran says Bolton’s Resignation Won’t Lead to Talks With the US Iran Denounces ‘US-Israel Plot’ Over Nuclear Program

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 20194

H. Israel UK and Israeli leaders agree on need to stop Iran getting nuclear weapon Netanyahu accuses Iran of destroying secret ‘nuclear site’ Netanyahu Sees US Stays “Very Very Tough” on Iran Despite Bolton Ouster Trump Should Not meet with Rouhani Israeli Ambassador Urges US to Stay the Course’ on Pressuring Iran Europe is Propping up Iranian Terror While Demonizing Israel

I. Saudi Arabia U.S. energy secretary says nuclear power talks with new Saudi minister likely Monday

East Asia

J. Japan Japan urges nuke plants to prepare for decommissioning era Russia plans additional missile defense buildup on Kuril Islands Watchdog to restart probe into Fukushima nuclear accident Japan may have to dump radioactive water into the sea, minister says New environment minister says Japan should stop using nuclear power SDF, U.S. Army stage first drill using missiles to avert sea attack

K. North Korea NK-US nuclear talks will be delayed until end of year N. Korea continues to develop ICBM program: UN panel New cold war looms large between old foes U.S. hopes for North Korea talks in days, weeks: Pompeo North Korea says it will resume talks but adds pressure with new launches Working-level nuclear talks aimed at drafting summit agreement: pro-Pyongyang

paper North Korea could warm up to talks after removal of ‘war maniac’ Bolton North Korea tested super-large multiple rocket launcher under Kim’s guidance North Korea carried out super-large multiple rocket launcher test on Tuesday: KCNA U.S. imposes sanctions on North Korean hacking groups blamed for global attacks True colour as confrontation seeker fully betrayed Trump declines to comment on report Kim invited him to North Korea Department director for US Affairs of DPRK Foreign Ministry releases statement 

L. South Korea Combined Forces Command to move to Pyeongtaek by 2021 Nuke envoys of S. Korea, Russia hold talks on North Korea’s denuclearization S. Korea seeks global support for NK denuclearization, peace on Korean Peninsula Defense chief vows strong military power to ensure peace 

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest5

S. Korea calls for int’l cooperation on Japan’s Fukushima water discharge plan S. Korea, UAE to join hands on overseas nuke reactor projects S. Korea’s top nuclear envoy visits Beijing for talks on N.K. Moon’s mission in New York: ‘Get nuke talks restarted’ South Korea to develop anti-drone system amid standoff with North

M. Taiwan Nuclear safety drill at Ma-anshan to be held next week Surviving Han’s nuclear policies

N. Misc Rooppur plant’s cost higher as it is a new experience for Bangladesh

O. Op-EdIndia

Irresponsible rhetoric: On Pakistan leaders’ threats Chandrayaan 2: In its stellar journey, ISRO has achieved ‘much more with much

less’ There is need & space, for recalibrating ‘no first use’ Move Over, Kim Jong Un: It’s Time to Talk about South Asia Did India’s Chandrayaan-2 Moon Lander Survive? The Chances Are Slim Indian Moon Probe’s Failure Won’t Stop an Asian Space Race that Threatens Regional

Security Be proud of Chandrayaan-2: Rakesh Sharma Has Chandrayaan 2’s Vikram Lander setback affected India’s moon mission?China China’s nuclear capabilities maturing Navy sends its most capable combat ship on escort mission Domestic arms key to deterrence planPakistan What Exactly Did Pakistan’s Prime Minister Say About the Country’s Nuclear

Weapons? The dangers of calling Pakistan’s ‘nuclear bluff’ India’s nuclear posture Pakistan most dangerous country in the world: Ex-US defense secy James Mattis

Divide and bleed A nuclear flashpoint Kashmir and Impending Nuclear Holocaust Going ballistic: Why Imran Khan’s nuclear threat is a sign of Pakistani impotence

‘Good Lord help us’USA Forget Russia: America Nearly Built Its Own ‘Skyfall’ Nuclear Powered Cruise Missile The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 20196

After Trump, the United States Should Return to Obama’s Iran Deal Can President Trump Really Tweet A Highly Classified Satellite Photo? Yep, He

Can Why Trump shouldn’t run the North Korea playbook on Iran

Russia

Russia’s Delta-Class Missile Submarines: One the Best Subs Ever? This Nuclear Submarine Freaks Russia Out: Meet the Astute-Class (Not American) Will Venezuela Become a Russian Missile Base?West Asia Trump Solving the Iran Crisis Requires A “Deal of the Century” Iran Says Its Cruise Missiles Are Better Than America’s. That can’t be true? Can it? Maximum Pressure on Iran Has Failed Watch Out: Iran Has a New “Kia” Spy Drone. But how good is it?EAST ASIA

Japan Japan-Russia talks on peace treaty, Northern Territories have whiff of futility Put state in charge of TEPCO’s plan for reactor restartsNorth Korea Uncertainty of nuclear talksSouth Korea Bombs and weather: Trump drops another one Beijing-Seoul ties after Xi’s Pyongyang visitTaiwan Ian Easton On Taiwan: Why the US defends TaiwanInterview Obama arms official: Nuclear deterrence must be strengthened Imran Khan on ‘genocide’ in Kashmir and possible war with India War b/w two nuclear states Pakistan, India to affect whole World: Dr. Firdous

P. Think Tanks What Happens If the Last Nuclear Arms Control Treaty Expires? The Last Nuclear Arms Treaty A Commonsense Policy for Avoiding a Disastrous Nuclear Decision India’s Space Power: Revisiting the Anti-Satellite Test

Q. Original Documents and Reports China’s nuclear power development maintains high-level safety: white paper Update to OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons Executive Order Amending Counter Terrorism Sanctions Authorities; Counter Terrorism Designations and Designations Updates; Iran-related Designation; Syria

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest7

A. India

“Imran Khan Hypes Kashmir,Personally Attacks PM Modi”: Ex-US EnvoyNDTV, September 2, 2019

Tim Roemer, former US ambassador to Indiawho was responsible for broadening anddeepening the US-India partnership, hasaccused Pakistan PM Imran Khan ofincreasing the volatility of the region andurged that the US policy should “remainsteady towards strategic ties with India”,and push Pakistan for “real results” on anti-terror cooperation.

In a tweet, tagging Imran’s opinion piece inthe NYT where he has threatened the worldwith the spectre of a nuclear war overKashmir, Roemer said: “Pakistan PM ImranKhan hypes the Kashmir situation,personally attacks PM Modi, and increasesthe volatility in the region. US policy shouldremain steady toward strategic relationswith India, emphasize CT cooperation, andpush Pakistan for real results.”

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ex-us-envoy-says-imran-khan-hypes-kashmir-personally-attacks-pm-narendra-modi-2094081

Chandrayaan 2 Completes Final In-Orbit Manoeuvre Before India’sMaiden Moon Landing On 7 SeptFirst Post, September 4, 2019

The landing module of Chandrayaan 2, theIndian Space Research Organisation’ssecond mission to the moon, has completedits second and final in-orbit adjustment inlunar orbit. This manoeuvre was startedat 3.45 am IST on 4 September, and lastedall of 9 seconds. With this success, theVikram lander and Pragyan rover (the twocomponents in the landing module) are nowcloser than ever to making their highly-anticipated soft-landing on 7 September.

From its previous elliptical orbit of 109 x 120km orbit (nearest x farthest distance from thesurface), the landing module has beenlowered to a more suitable 35 x 101 km orbitaround the moon. The Chandrayaan 2

orbiter continues to orbit the Moon in ahigher, elliptical orbit of 96 x 125 km. ISROconfirmed that both orbiter and lander arehealthy.

https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/chandrayaan-2-completes-final-in-orbit-manoeuvre-before-indias-maiden-moon-landing-on-7-sep-7276941.html

Russia plans to set up above 20nuclear power units in India innext 20 yearsLivemint, September 4, 2019

 Russia on Wednesday said that it isplanning to set up more than 20 nuclearpower units in India in the next 20 years.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whoarrived in Russia’s Far Eastern city ofVladivostok earlier today, gave a jointstatement at the 20th Annual Summitbetween the two countries, along withRussian President Vladimir Putin by side.The two sides exchanged numerousagreements, including military andtechnical cooperation, energy and science,LNG Business and LNG supplies, andnatural gas, in the presence of the twoleaders.

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/russia-plans-to-set-up-above-20-nuclear-power-units-in-india-in-next-20-years-1567600889899.html

“India Will Not Balk At UsingStrength To Defend Itself”:Rajnath SinghNDTV, September 5, 2019

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hassaid that India will not balk at using itsstrength to defend itself, while addressinga defence dialogue in the South Koreancapital of Seoul this morning. RajnathSingh is on a three-day official visit to SouthKorea in the second leg of a two-nationtour which also involved Japan. He wasaddressing a special session of the SeoulDefence Dialogue on Thursday, excerptsof which he shared on his twitter handle. 

The Defence Minister said, “Shared myviews on the strong currents towards

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peace that are present in the KoreanPeninsula.” ”India has never been anaggressor in its history, nor will it ever be.But that does not mean that India wouldbalk at using its strength to defend itself,”he said.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-will-not-balk-at-using-strength-to-defend-itself-rajnath-singh-2096033

Explained: Chandrayaan-2, inperspectiveAmitabh Sinha, The Indian Express,September 9, 2019

India’s first attempt to land a spacecraft onthe Moon has not been successful. The landerof Chandrayaan-2, called Vikram, did notslow down at the expected rate towards thelatter part of its descent, and most likely hitthe lunar surface at a speed greater thanrequired for safe landing. The groundcontrol station had lost contact with thelander when it was about 2.1 km above theMoon.

On Sunday, Indian Space ResearchOrganisation (ISRO) chairman K Sivan wasquoted as saying that the lander had beenlocated on the Moon, and a thermal imageof it had been taken by instruments on boardthe Chandrayaan-2 orbiter that is goingaround the Moon in a near-circular orbit of100 km. He said efforts to re-establish contactwith the lander had not yet been successful.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/chandrayaan-2-moon-landing-in-perspective-5978328/

Lander ‘tilted’ not broken, saysISROThe Hindu, September 9, 2019

Chandrayaan-2’s lander Vikram isunbroken but lying tilted on the surface ofthe moon after a hard landing very close tothe scheduled touchdown site, an IndianSpace Research Organisation (ISRO) officialsaid on Monday. 

Efforts are underway to see whethercommunication can be re-established withthe lander but chances of that are bleak with

full system functionality a prerequisite torestoring contact, officials explained. “Thelander is there (on the moon) as a singlepiece, not broken into pieces. It’s in a tiltedposition,” an ISRO official said.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-not-losing-hope-continues-to-make-all-out-efforts-to-restore-link-with-lander-vikram/article29373720.ece

Modi should correct Vajpayeewrong on nuclear ‘no first use’:Diplomat Jaimini BhagwatiNayanima Basu, The Print, September 12,2019

The Modi government should rid India ofits “no first use” doctrine and align itsnuclear policies with those of the US,Russia and China, veteran diplomatJaimini Bhagwati told ThePrint in aninterview. “It was a purely defensiveposture we are adopting. Are we lesscredible than the US? We need to takesome decision that will bring short-termpain for long-term gain,” he said. 

“We should get rid of it (no first use). Ithink things have to be fair. If otherestablished nuclear weapon powers do notfeel the need to make a declaration thatshould be your de-facto policy, it doesn’thave to be your de jure policy,” Bhagwatiadded.

https://theprint.in/defence/modi-should-correct-vajpayee-wrong-on-nuclear-no-first-use-diplomat-jaimini-bhagwati/290244/

Chandrayaan 2: Nobel laureateentrusts Indian scientists, says‘they will soon master thesetbacks of lunar mission’Ribhu Mishra, Financial Express,September 12, 2019

Serge Haroche, a French physicist and aNobel laureate on Wednesday said that hewas quite certain about Indian scientistsovercoming the setback faced on the lunarmission. Serge, who is in India, said thiswhile talking about the loss ofcommunication with Vikram lander of

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Chandrayaan-2 during the soft landingprocess. The incident occurred just twominutes before the lander was scheduled toreach the lunar surface.

According to a report, Serge Haroche toldHT that ‘Science is full of surprises. It is likeyou are going to the unknown. The surprisesthat are found during this are sometimesgood, sometimes bad. Success and failure area part of it.”

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/chandrayaan-2-nobel-laureate-entrusts-indian-scientists-says-they-will-soon-master-the-setbacks-of-lunar-mission/1704487/

Devices onboard Chandrayaan-2orbiter gamechangersAkhil Kadidal, Deccan Herald, September 13,2019

Former chairman of Isro A S Kiran Kumaron Thursday described the Chandrayaan-2mission as a success, despite the loss of theVikram lander on the lunar surface. “Yes,there is sadness because we came so close tomaking a landing on the moon, but themission itself cannot be called a failurebecause, for one, it is still ongoing,” Kumarsaid, speaking at the convocation of IISc.

Another improved instrument aboardChandrayaan-2 is the dual-frequencysynthetic aperture, which Kumar describedas being the first of its kind sent into space.“With this instrument, we will be able toinvestigate permanently shadowed regionsto see if water vapour is present,” he said.

https://www.deccanherald.com/state/devices-onboard-chandrayaan-2-orbiter-gamechangers-761252.html

Chandrayaan 2: Here’s how NASAis helping ISRO in revivingVikram LanderRibhu Mishra, Financial Express, September13, 2019

The American space agency, NationalAeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has confirmed that it will beassisting ISRO in its quest to connect withthe Vikram Lander. The Indian Space

Agency met with a glitch in the early hoursof September 7 and lost contact with theLander module Chandrayaan 2, minutesbefore its scheduled soft landing on Lunarsurface. NASA, apart from the radio signal,will also be sharing pictures of the region ofthe Moon where the Vikram lander hard-landed. NASA has said that it would sharebefore and after images of the region of theMoon where the Vikram lander ofChandrayaan 2 supposedly made a hard-landing in the wee hours of September 7.

According to a report published in the NYT,the US space agency has stated that it will‘share any before and after flyover imageryof the region around the targeted landingsite of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2’s VikramLander. NASA will be supporting theIndian Space Research Organization (ISRO)in their analysis. The US space agency is alsotrying to re-establish communication withthe Vikram lander. Notable the lander hasnot responded or transmitted any signalsince September 7.

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/chandrayaan-2-heres-how-nasa-is-helping-isro-in-reviving-vikram-lander/1704983/

B. China

China issues white paper onnuclear safetyXinhua, September 3, 2019

China on Tuesday issued a white paper tointroduce its approach to nuclear safety.Titled “Nuclear Safety in China,” the whitepaper was released by the State CouncilInformation Office to elaborate on China’sbasic principles and policies in the field,share the concepts and practices ofregulation, and clarify its determination topromote global nuclear safety governanceand the actions it has taken to achieve this,according to the document.

“China has always regarded nuclear safetyas an important national responsibility, andintegrated it into the entire process ofnuclear energy development andutilization,” it said. China’s nuclear industryhas always developed in line with the latestsafety standards and maintained a good

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safety record, pursuing an innovation-drivenpath of nuclear safety with Chinesecharacteristics. As an important advocate,promoter and participant in building a fair,collaborative and mutually beneficialinternational nuclear safety system, Chinahas done a good job in ensuring its ownnuclear safety, fulfilled its internationalobligations, and promoted bilateral andmultilateral cooperation on nuclear safety,said the white paper. China has activelypromoted the peaceful use of nuclear energyfor the benefit of all humanity andcontributed its wisdom and strength toglobal nuclear safety governance, it added.The main body of the white paper wasdivided into six sections: following arational, coordinated and balanced nuclearsafety strategy, building a policy and legalframework on nuclear safety, ensuringeffective regulation of nuclear safety,maintaining high-level safety, co-buildingand sharing nuclear safety and building acommunity of shared future for nuclearsafety.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/03/c_138360674.htm 

China Focus: China issues whitepaper on nuclear safety, stressingint’l cooperationXinhua, September 3, 2019

China stated its stance on developingnuclear energy as an established policy inits first white paper on nuclear safetyreleased on Tuesday, vowing to strengtheninternational cooperation and build acommunity of shared future for nuclearsafety. Titled “Nuclear Safety in China,” thewhite paper was released by the StateCouncil Information Office to elaborate onChina’s basic principles and policies in thefield, share the concepts and practices ofregulation and clarify its determination topromote global nuclear safety governanceand the actions it has taken to achieve this.

Upholding the central role of theInternational Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) in international nuclear cooperation,China has made continuous contributions

to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund, withan aim to enhance the nuclear safetycapacity of countries in Asia, Liu said.Through its National Research andDevelopment Center for Nuclear andRadiation Safety Regulation, China hascontinued to help developing countriestrain nuclear safety personnel and carryout technical drills, lending support to theirefforts to enhance their regulatory capacityand providing more public goods forimproving global nuclear safety. While itis the common aspiration of all countriesto peacefully utilize nuclear energy, itshould also be a common responsibility ofall countries to maintain nuclear safety, Liusaid.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/03/c_138361737.htm 

US ban for nuclear firm harmsown interestsXu Keyue, Global Times, September 3,2019

The US unilateral ban on China GeneralNuclear Power Corp will only harm itselfin the end, a Chinese nuclear safety officialsaid at a press conference of the country’sfirst comprehensive nuclear safety whitepaper on Tuesday after China’s largeststate-owned nuclear company was addedto the US Entity List.  The US in Juneadded the Chinese state-owned nucleargiant and three of its subsidiaries to theUS Entity List, saying these companies hadallegedly acted contrary to US nationalsecurity and barring US companies fromselling products to those enterprises. Chinafirmly opposes unilateralist andprotectionist US policies that hurt theinterest of other countries includingChina, Liu Hua, director of China’sNational Nuclear Safety Administration,said at the press conference.

China has set up three platforms fornuclear security research and innovationand conducted 39 studies in 13 fields onnuclear security technologies, according tothe statement.  The Hualong One nuclearreactor ranks among the highest in the

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world in terms of safety design, the papersaid. China and the US have cooperated onnuclear safety in a friendly and effectivefashion for 35 years, Liu said. Chineseanalysts interpreted the US ban as part ofUS actions to crack down on China’s high-technology sector. Liu noted that the banwould in effect encourage Chinesecompanies to enhance development andinnovation input and very likely hurt UScompanies. By June 2019, China had 47nuclear power units in operation, rankingthird in the world, and 11 nuclear powerunits under construction, to rank first in theworld, the paper said.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1163568.shtml 

China to build lab for radioactivewaste disposalHou Liqiang, China Daily, September 4, 2019

Work will soon begin on a potential site fora lab to accommodate China’s radioactivewaste. Experiments are to be conducted todetermine if it is the right choice of site,according to the country’s top nuclear safetywatchdog. China uses concentrated disposalto deal with high-level radioactive waste.The disposal site should be located at least400 meters underground and boast stablegeological conditions that can keep thiswaste isolated from the humans for morethan 10,000 years, said Liu Hua, head of theNational Nuclear Safety Administration, onWednesday.

“We have found a very good site,” he told anews conference organized by the StateCouncil Information Office. He said the labwill be built in accordance withrequirements for deep geologic repositories,but construction will depend on datacollected from experiments at the site. JiangGuang, deputy head of the administration,said the construction of the lab in Gansuprovince will be launched as soon as possibleand that experiments on the site will helpidentify disposal approaches that will beapplied at other suitable sites. As of June,there are 47 nuclear power facilities inoperation on the Chinese mainland and the

country is also building 11 new facilities,according to a comprehensive white paperon nuclear safety published by the StateCouncil Information Office on Tuesday.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201909/04/WS5d6fc34da310cf3e35569bf9.html 

China’s lunar rover travels over284 meters on moon’s far sideXinhua, September 7, 2019

China’s lunar rover Yutu-2 has driven284.66 meters on the far side of the moonto conduct scientific exploration on thevirgin territory. Both the lander and therover of the Chang’e-4 probe switched toits dormant mode for the lunar night onFriday (Beijing time), according to theLunar Exploration and Space ProgramCenter of the China National SpaceAdministration. China’s Chang’e-4 probe,launched on Dec. 8, 2018, made the first-ever soft landing on the Von KarmanCrater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin onthe far side of the moon on Jan. 3. A lunarday equals 14 days on Earth, a lunar nightthe same length. The Chang’e-4 probeswitches to dormant mode during thelunar night due to lack of solar power.During the ninth lunar day of the probeon the moon, the scientific instruments onthe lander and rover worked well, and anew batch of 2.9 GB scientific detectiondata was sent to the core research teamfor analysis.

As a result of the tidal locking effect, themoon’s revolution cycle is the same as itsrotation cycle, and the same side alwaysfaces Earth. The far side of the moon hasunique features, and scientists expectChang’e-4 could bring breakthroughfindings. The scientific tasks of theChang’e-4 mission include low-frequencyradio astronomical observation, surveyingthe terrain and landforms, detecting themineral composition and shallow lunarsurface structure and measuring neutronradiation and neutral atoms. The Chang’e-4 mission embodies China’s hope tocombine wisdom in space explorationwith four payloads developed by the

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Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and SaudiArabia.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/07/c_138372596.htm 

China sends H-6K bombers toRussia for strategic drillsGlobal Times, September 8, 2019

Russia on Saturday held a grand welcomingceremony upon the arrival of Chinese armedforces, including well-anticipated Type 96Atanks and H-6K bombers, for the upcomingTsentr-2019 (Center-2019) strategic drills.China dispatched more than 1,600 troopsfrom the Western Theater Command andsome other units of the People’s LiberationArmy (PLA), together with main battleequipment including Type 96A tanks, H-6Kbombers, JH-7A fighter bombers, J-11 fighterjets, Il-76 and Y-9 transport planes and Z-10 attack helicopters, China CentralTelevision reported Saturday. 

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1163929.shtml 

Chinese netizens encourage India’slunar dream despite failureWang Qi, Global Times, September 8, 2019

Chinese net users tipped their hats to Indianspace scientists and encouraged them tocontinue to explore the universe after thecountry’s second moon mission lostcommunication with the ground station. The country’s moon lander was expected tomake a soft-touchdown near the moon’sSouth Pole on Saturday but diverged fromthe planned path less than 2.1 kilometersabove the lunar surface and lost itscommunications with the mission controlroom. After the news was disclosed onChina’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo, Chinesenetizens encouraged Indian scientists to notlose hope.

“Space exploration is being chased by allhuman beings. No matter which country hasmade a breakthrough, it deserves our praise,and those who have temporarily failed alsodeserve our encouragement,” said a netuser. Indian scientists have made great

efforts and sacrifices for space exploration.Keyboard warriors should stop laughingat those heroes, another user said.  “Weare all in the gutter, but some of us arelooking at the stars. Any nations thatbravely strive to further explore spacedeserve our respect,” said a user onChina’s Quora-like Zhihu. Despite the lossof communication with the lander, theIndian Space Research Organization(ISRO) said that 90 to 95 percent of themission’s objectives have beenaccomplished and will continue to makecontributions to lunar science, the XinhuaNews Agency reported. 

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1163928.shtml 

Implementation phase of China-funded Egyptian satellite projectkicks offXinhua, September 9, 2019

Egyptian and Chinese teams announcedSunday the start of the implementationphase of the China-funded “MisrSat II”satellite project. During the kick-offmeeting, which was held at the EgyptianSpace City near Egypt’s newadministrative capital, both sides signedthe documents of launching the projectthat is funded by the Chinese government.On Saturday, a ceremony to launch thesatellite project was held during the fourthChina-Arab States Expo, being held inYinchuan, capital of northwest China’sNingxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Egypt and China signed in January anagreement on a 72-million-U.S. dollarChinese grant for Egypt’s MisrSat IIsatellite, which is a small high-resolutionremote sensing satellite. Egypt sees theproject as another major cooperationbetween the two countries in the field ofspace after signing an agreement to buildthe Egyptian Satellite Assembly,Integration and Test Center which isexpected to be fully established this year.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/09/c_138376065.htm 

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest13

China’s giant telescope picks upmysterious signals from deep spaceXinhua, September 9, 2019

Chinese astronomers have detected repeatedfast radio bursts (FRB) - mysterious signalsbelieved to be from a source about 3 billionlight years from Earth - with the largest andmost sensitive radio telescope ever built.Scientists detected the signals with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical RadioTelescope (FAST) and they are carefullycross-checking and processing them,according to researchers at the NationalAstronomical Observatories of the ChineseAcademy of Sciences (NAOC). FRBs are thebrightest bursts known in the universe. Theyare called “fast” because these blips are veryshort, only several milliseconds in duration.But there is no reasonable explanation fortheir origin.

The detection of the repeated bursts mighthelp shed light on the origin and physicalmechanisms of FRBs, said researchers.Chinese scientists have installed a highlysensitive FRB backend on a 19-beam receiveron the giant telescope, and used it to observean FRB source named FRB121102, whichwas first discovered by the AreciboObservatory in 2015. From late August tothe beginning of September, more than 100bursts were detected from FRB121102, thehighest number of bursts ever detected sofar.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/09/c_138377523.htm 

Polar observation satellite willdebut soonZhao Lei, China Daily, September 9, 2019

Network will improve country’s ability tomonitor Arctic and Antarctic regions Chinawill soon launch the first satellite in its space-based polar observation network in anattempt to improve the nation’s polarresearch capability, according to projectinsiders. The BNU-1 will be lifted atop aLong March 4B carrier rocket from theTaiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxiprovince before the end of this month, saidLi Chun, BNU-1’s project manager at

Aerospace Dongfanghong Developmentin Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Thecompany, which designed and built thespacecraft, is part of the China Academyof Space Technology in Beijing.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201909/09/WS5d75a7d4a310cf3e3556a676.html 

Beijing deploys drones for SouthChina Sea surveillanceLiu Zhen, South China Morning Post,September 9, 2019

A network of drones has been deployedby Beijing to watch over the islands andreefs of the disputed South China Sea. Thenetwork, run by the Ministry of NaturalResources, covers the uninhabited, hard-to-reach islands as well as the vast openwaters of the area, according to theministry’s South Sea Bureau. The dronecommunication chain has “extremelyenhanced our dynamic surveillance of theSouth China Sea, and expanded our reachto the high seas”, the bureau said on itsofficial website. The air-land systemconsists of numerous unmanned aerialvehicles (UAVs) carrying high-definitioncameras, road-mobile communicationvehicles which act as transmission relaystations, as well as a satellite-basedmaritime information communicationnetwork, according to the bureau.

The light drones are intended tosupplement China’s satellite remotesensing system – which is often affectedby cloudy weather in the area – withhigher definition, multi-angle, and real-time images. The communication vans canbe driven or ferried to places that lack aland-based communication station andreceive signals sent by the drones. Thesignals can then be uploaded to the satellitenetwork as still images or live streams, tobe displayed thousands of kilometresaway at the bureau’s commandheadquarters in the southern province ofGuangdong.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3026577/beijing-deploys-drones-south-china-sea-surveillance?li_source=LI&li_medium=china_section_top_picks_for_you 

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Intrusion of Canadian warshipraises China’s ireDm Chan, Asia Times, September 11, 2019

China has questioned Canada’s “intentions”behind sending a warship to traverse theTaiwan Strait, amid frosty relations betweenBeijing and Ottawa, Channel News Asia(CNA) reported. A Canadian Halifax-classfrigate, the HMCS Ottawa, passed throughthe strategic waterway on Tuesday in a“freedom of navigation” operation,Taiwanese authorities said, the latest suchvoyage by a Western navy to anger Beijing.China views any passing through thenarrow channel separating Taiwan and theChinese mainland as a breach of itssovereignty — while the US and many othernations see the route as international space,CNA said. “The Chinese side does not limitthe normal passage of foreign warshipsthrough the Taiwan Strait,” Chinese foreignministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying saidat a regular briefing. “But I don’t knowwhat special intentions the Canadian sidehas in deliberately making high-profileannouncements about its warship (crossingthe Taiwan Strait).

https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/09/article/intrustion-of-canadian-warship-raises-chinas-ire/ 

China and Russia to reach deals,including aerospace, nuclear energy:MOFCOMTu Lei, Global Times, September 12, 2019

China and Russia are expected to reach anumber of deals when Chinese Premier LiKeqiang visits Russia next week, Gao Feng,spokesperson of China’s Ministry ofCommerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.Gao said the deals will include trade,investment, digital economy, agriculture,technology, aerospace and nuclear energy.“The trade cooperation of the two countriesis speeding up, and continues to strive forhigh-quality development,” Gao said.

Li will visit Russia from Monday toThursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministryannounced earlier, and it is widely believedthat his visit will further strengthen and

broaden the China-Russia strategicpartnership.  Trade between China andRussia last year exceeded $100 billion, andChina has remained Russia’s largesttrading partner for nine consecutive years,data from MOFCOM showed. In the firsteight months of the year, bilateral tradestood at $70 billion, 4.5 percent higher thanlast year.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1164358.shtml 

China to build warship forThailandLiu Xuanzun, Global Times Published,September 12, 2019

China and Thailand have signed a dealthat will see a Chinese shipbuildingcompany build a Type 071E landingplatform dock (LPD) warship for the Thainavy, a move which shows deepened armstrade cooperation between the twocountries, a Chinese military expert saidon Wednesday.  China and Thailandsigned the agreement in Beijing onMonday, with the general manager of theChina State Shipbuilding CorporationLimited (CSSC), Yang Jincheng, and thecommander-in-chief of the Royal ThaiNavy, Luechai Ruddit, participating,according to a statement CSSC releasedon Tuesday. This also marks the first timeChina has exported an LPD, the statementsaid.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1164339.shtml 

China, Malaysia to set up SouthChina Sea mechanismReuters, September 12, 2019

China and Malaysia have agreed to set upa joint dialogue mechanism for thedisputed South China Sea, the Chinesegovernment’s top diplomat said yesterdayafter meeting the Malaysian foreignminister. Chinese naval deployments in thestrategic waterway, through which morethan US$3.4 trillion of goods aretransported each year, have reignited

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest15

tension with Vietnam and the Philippines.Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also havecompeting claims in the South China Sea.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-malaysia/china-malaysia-to-set-up-south-china-sea-dialogue-mechanism-idUSKCN1VX0JN 

China launches three new satellitesXinhua, September 12, 2019

China sent a resource satellite and two smallsatellites into planned orbits from theTaiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northChina’s Shanxi Province on Thursday. Theywere launched on a Long March-4B carrierrocket at 11:26 a.m. (Beijing Time). Theresource satellite, ZY-1 02D, will provideobservation data for natural resources assetmanagement, ecological monitoring,disaster prevention and control,environmental protection, urbanconstruction, transportation andcontingency management.

One of the two small satellites launched onthe same rocket belongs to Beijing NormalUniversity, and is named BNU-1, and theother belongs to a Shanghai-based privatespace technology company.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/12/c_138386379.htm 

China’s BeiDou has 39 satellites inorbit as construction to becompleted next yearYuan Yufei, China Military Online,September 12, 2019

“China will complete the comprehensiveconstruction of the BeiDou global system asscheduled in 2020,” said Yang Changfeng,chief designer of BeiDou Navigation SatelliteSystem (BDS), at the 8th Annual Meeting ofChina Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) and Location Based Service (LBS),videlicet China BDS Application Forum,held in Zhengzhou, Henan Province onTuesday. The theme of this conference is“BeiDou serves the world and integratesinnovative applications”. The basic systemof BeiDou-3 has been completed and begunto provide global services on December 27,

2018. Since the beginning of this year,BeiDou has made great achievements inthe world, especially in serving the Beltand Road Initiative.

China’s satellite navigation industry willexceed 400 billion yuan by 2020. It islearned from the forum that BeiDou isnow more than a business card of China,the application of which has become astrategic emerging industry with a globalmarket. Yu introduced that theapplication of the application of BDS hasbecome an economic growth point ofstrategic emerging industries. With theopening of global service and theestablishment of BeiDou-3 system as anopportunity, China will continue topromote the integration and innovation ofBDS. BeiDou will also usher in a goldenperiod of deepening application.

http://english.pladaily.com.cn/view/2019-09/12/content_9620454.htm

First polar observation satellitelaunched into orbitZhao Lei, China Daily, September 12, 2019

China sent its first polar observationsatellite into space on Thursday tostrengthen the nation’s polar researchcapability. The BNU-1, also known as IcePathfinder, was launched atop a LongMarch 4B carrier rocket at the TaiyuanSatellite Launch Center in North China’sShanxi province at 11:26 am with anoptical remote-sensing satellite and amicro experimental satellite, according toChina Great Wall Industry Corp, thesatellites’ launch service contractor. Themission marked the 310th launch ofChina’s Long March carrier rocket series.

Developed and constructed by AerospaceDongfanghong Development inShenzhen, South China’s Guangdongprovince, the BNU-1 weighs 16 kilogramsand carries three experimental payloads –a multispectral camera, a high-resolutionvisible-light camera and an automaticidentification system receiver, a device forship identification. The satellite is taskedwith observing and monitoring climates

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and environments in the Antarctic andArctic. It is expected to work in a sun-synchronous orbit more than 730 km abovethe Earth for up to two years, the ChinaAcademy of Space Technology, parent ofAerospace Dongfanghong Development,said in a statement.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201909/12/WS5d79c52ea310cf3e3556b39b.html

China welcomes DPRK-U.S.dialogue resumptionXinhua, September 13, 2019

China on Thursday said it welcomed thepositive signals from the Democratic People’sRepublic of Korea (DPRK) on resuming talkswith the United States, calling on the U.S.side to take practical measures to easetensions and promote talks. State Councilorand Foreign Minister Wang Yi made theremarks when responding to a query at ajoint news conference held Thursday withMalaysian Foreign Minister SaifuddinAbdullah. “This is an important step takenby the DPRK side to promote the process ofpolitical settlement of the Korean Peninsulaissue, and China welcomes it,” said Wang.

“Since last year, the DPRK has taken a seriesof positive measures, and on these groundsrequested the U.S. to meet them halfwaywith a positive response. We think this is fairand reasonable,” said Wang, who hopedthat the U.S. side will also take practicalmeasures in this regard, and make dueefforts to ease tensions and promote talks.Also, the UN Security Council shouldconsider initiating discussions on thereversible provisions of the DPRK sanctionsresolution at an appropriate time, so as tohelp the DPRK ease the economic andlivelihood difficulties caused by thesanctions, and create conditions and providesupport for a political settlement of theKorean Peninsula issue, he suggested. Chinawill continue to play a constructive role andmake unremitting efforts to maintain peaceand stability on the peninsula, promote theestablishment of a peace mechanism on thepeninsula and realize the denuclearizationof the peninsula, he said.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/13/

c_138387934.htm 

Second parade rehearsal held; newweapons spottedMa Xiu, Global Times, September 15, 2019

Type 15 tanks were also sighted on thestreets of the capital city, suggesting thatthe lightweight tank will make its debutto the general public on October 1. Militaryobservers identified Dongfeng-41 (DF-41)intercontinental ballistic missiles, capableof carrying 10 independently targetablenuclear warheads and hitting anywhereon Earth, according to Hong KongEconomic Times. 

They also spotted the DF-17 ballisticmissile, said to be carrying a hypersonicglide vehicle similar to Russia’s Avangard,moving along the highway into Beijing.Meanwhile online videos and photoscaptured two types of drone: oneaerodynamic design believed to be highsupersonic and stealthy, the other with afly wing stealth design: probably the SharpSword stealth attack drone seen test flyingback in 2013. More mysterious was animage of a large autonomous underwatervehicle. Its mission remains unknown.Beijing residents also claimed to havespotted new anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and cruise missiles. Theyalso speculated they had identified a long-range multiple rocket launcher. During therehearsal on Sunday morning, enthusiastsfilmed warplanes including J-20 stealthfighters, Y-20 transport planes, earlywarning aircraft and special missionaircraft. A new bomber, the H-6N, was inthe formations on Sunday.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1164470.shtml

China ready to defend againstdrone attacks after Saudi Arabiaoil hitLiu Xuanzun and Liu Yang, Global Times,September 16, 2019

Chinese military observers turned theirattention to the threats from drones aftertwo major oil installations of Saudi Arabia

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest17

were attacked by drones on Saturday, sayingon Monday China has a full range ofcountermeasures, including detection andinterception systems. Ten drones attackedthe oil installations, damaging facilities thatprocess the vast majority of the country’scrude output and raising the risk of adisruption in world oil supplies, the NewYork Times reported on Saturday. Ananonymous Chinese military expert told theGlobal Times surprise was the key to theattacks’ success. “If they had deployed awell-conditioned defense system, theywould at least not suffer such a huge loss,”the expert said. Drones, especially those withsmall, slow, low-flying characteristics, aredifficult for traditional air defense systemsto detect and intercept, so new systems mustbe developed to counter them, experts toldthe Global Times.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1164603.shtml

China unveils supersonic spy droneduring National Day militaryparade rehearsalLiu Zhen, South China Morning Post,September 17, 2019

The photos, which have prompteddiscussion among military enthusiasts, showat least two types of unmanned aerialvehicle (UAV) – identified as the DR-8 orWuzhen 8, and the Sharp Sword stealthattack drone. The DR-8 would be expectedto play a key role should there be a conflictwith US aircraft carrier strike groups in theSouth China Sea or Western Pacific. Thereconnaissance drone’s appearance at therehearsal drew attention partly because itloosely resembles a supersonic UAV thatwas retired by the US more than fourdecades ago – the D-21. The US used thedrone for spying missions in China and anumber of them crashed during operations,leaving their remnants scattered in variouslocations across the country. One of thecrashed D-21s was put on display atBeijing’s Military Museum a few years ago.The DR-8 reconnaissance drone has a rolein assessing the strike impact of China’s“aircraft carrier killer”, the DF-21D anti-

ship ballistic missile, and the DF-26ballistic missile.

According to Zhou Chenming, a Beijing-based military commentator, the DR-8could travel faster than the D-21 – whosemaximum speed is Mach 3.3 – letting itpenetrate the enemy’s air defences andreturn intact with intelligence. The PLAhad been using the drone – which canreach strategic locations as far away as theWestern Pacific, including Guam – forsome time, according to Shanghai-basedmilitary commentator Shi Lao. China toshow off advanced nuclear weapons inNational Day parade “In fact, this UAV[the DR-8] entered into service a whileago,” Shi said.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3027534/china-unveils-supersonic-spy-drone-during-national-day-military 

Could a tiny Chinese magneticsensor be up to the huge task oftracking submarines?Stephen Chen, South China Morning Post,September 17, 2019

Chinese researchers have developed asensor that might be able to tracksubmarines. Photo: HandoutChineseresearchers have developed a sensor thatmight be able to track submarines. Photo:Handout Chinese researchers havedeveloped a compact sensor that candetect extremely weak magnetic fields andone day might be used to track submarinesor act as a backup navigation system. Thesensor, an atomic magnetometerdeveloped by Professor Gu Sihong and hiscolleagues at the Wuhan Institute ofPhysics and Mathematics, can fit into acapsule the size of a bean and operate atroom temperature, according to researchpublished in the journal Physical ReviewApplied.

“Using microelectromechanical systemtechnology, the sensor can be fabricatedon the chip scale,” Gu wrote. The devicecan pick up signals as weak as 20femtotesla, or about one-fifth the strength

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201918

of the magnetic field generated by a humanbrain. Although other devices known asmagnetic anomaly detectors are much moresensitive, they are bulkier and can only bemounted on planes or helicopters. Magneticanomaly detectors used in anti-submarinewarfare must operate at temperatures nearabsolute zero and require lasers, powersupplies and gas chambers to achieve highsensitivity.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3027502/could-tiny-chinese-magnetic-sensor-be-huge-task-tracking

C. Pakistan

PM Imran seeks to quell talk of warwith IndiaThe Express Tribune, September 2, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Mondaywarned that Pakistan and India were thetwo nuclear-armed countries and anyescalation of tensions between them couldendanger the world. Addressing theInternational Sikh Convention at the PunjabGovernor House, the prime ministerdenounced the idea of war, saying that hedid not believe that war could solve anyproblem. “We both are nuclear-armedcountries. If these tensions increase, theworld could be in danger,” Khan said. He,however, reiterated that Pakistan wouldnever trigger a war.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2047675/1-pakistan-will-not-use-nuclear-arms-first-pm/

PM Khan: Pakistan would not usenuclear weapons first, amidtensions with IndiaAsif Shahzad, Reuters, September 2, 2019

Pakistan would not use nuclear weaponsfirst, Prime Minister Imran Khan said onMonday, amid tensions with arch-rivalIndia after New Delhi revoked the specialstatus of its part of the disputed Kashmirregion.

“We both are nuclear-armed countries. Ifthese tensions increase, the world couldbe in danger,” Khan said, addressingmembers of the Sikh religious communityin the eastern city of Lahore. “There willbe no first from our side ever,” he said.

The foreign ministry’s spokesmansubsequently said on Twitter that thecomments were being taken out of contextand did not represent a change inPakistan’s nuclear policy.

https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pakistan/pm-khan-pakistan-would-not-use-nuclear-weapons-first-amid-tensions-with-india-idINKCN1VN1JS

No change in Pakistan’s nuclearpolicy: FORadio Pakistan, September 3, 2019

Foreign Office, Spokesperson Dr.Mohammad Faisal has said that PrimeMinister Imran Khan’s comments onPakistan’s approach towards conflictbetween two nuclear armed states arebeing taken out of context. In a statement,he said, while conflict should not takeplace between two nuclear states, there’sno change in Pakistan’s nuclear policy.

http://www.radio.gov.pk/03-09-2019/no-change-in-pakistans-nuclear-policy-fo

No first use of N-weapons notpolicy: DG ISPRMuhammad Anis, The News International,September 5, 2019

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)Director General Major General AsifGhafoor said on Wednesday that there isno policy of ‘no first use’ of strategiccapability saying that use of nuclearcapability is political but the nation shouldhave the trust that Pakistan has thatcapability.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/522403-no-first-use-of-n-weapons-not-policy-dg-ispr

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest19

D. USA

U.S. Treasury warns anyone fuelingIran tanker risks being blacklistedTimothy Gardner, Reuters, September 6,2019

The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursdaywarned that anyone around the world whohelps fuel Iranian vessels blacklisted byWashington runs the risk of beingdesignated as well. The TreasuryDepartment blacklisted the Adrian Darya,a tanker at the center of a confrontationbetween Washington and Tehran, on Aug.30.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-usa-fuel/u-s-treasury-warns-anyone-fueling-iran-tanker-risks-being-blacklisted-idUSKCN1VQ2O8

Nuclear power is the ‘silent giant’being invited finally to speakWorld Nuclear News, September 6, 2019

This was the shared message of AgnetaRising and Kirill Komarov, respectively thedirector general and chairman of WorldNuclear Association, at the opening ofits Symposium 2019 in London yesterday.“Energy is essential for promoting humandevelopment and global demand isprojected to increase significantly in thecoming decades,” Rising said. “Securingaccess to modern and affordable energy isessential for all, lifting people out of povertyand promoting energy independence andeconomic growth. Nuclear energy is aproven solution with a long establishedtrack record.

“The 445 nuclear reactors in 30 countriesare the low-carbon backbone of electricitysystems, operating in the background, dayin day out, often out of sight and out ofmind, capable of generating an immenseamount of clean power. They are the silentgiants upon which we rely today.

https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Nuclear-power-is-the-silent-giant-being-invited-fi

Not great, not terrible: US testsrefurbished missiles after

admission nuclear refit laggingbehindRussian Times, September 7, 2019

The US Navy test-fired a volley of decades-old Trident II nuclear missiles, provingthey can still fly days after a top officialsaid the upgrade of bombs and warheadswas lagging, and Russia offered to sell USsome of its tech.

The USS Nebraska, an Ohio-class missilesubmarine, fired two missiles onWednesday and another two on Friday,the Navy confirmed. All four missilessplashed into the target area off the Pacificisland of Guam. The Trident II D5submarine-launched ballistic missile wasdesigned to last through 2024, but wasrecently refurbished to last into the 2040s,the Navy said. Their W76 warheads wererecently upgraded as well.

https://www.rt.com/usa/468222-us-tests-nuclear-missiles-submarine/

Nuclear industry urges Trump torevive uranium mining with ColdWar-era ruleValerie Volcovici, Timothy Gardner,Reuters, September 7, 2019

The U.S. nuclear energy industry has calledfor the Trump administration to revivedomestic uranium mining and enrichmentby unlocking funds through a Cold War-era program, in a letter sent to a Cabinet-level working group.

The Aug. 18 letter from the Nuclear EnergyInstitute, or NEI, to national securityadviser John Bolton and White Houseeconomic adviser Larry Kudlow, urges theTrump administration to authorize fundsthrough the 1950 Defense Production Actto procure domestic fuel for defenserequirements and boost federal reserves ofuranium for nuclear power utilities.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ura-nium-mining/nuclear-industry-urges-trump-to-revive-uranium-mining-with-cold-war-era-rule-idUSKCN1VR2O1

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201920

U.S. hopes for North Korea talks indays, weeks – PompeoReuters, September 8, 2019

The United States hopes to get back todenuclearisation talks with North Korea inthe coming days or weeks, Secretary of StateMike Pompeo said on Sunday. Negotiationsaimed at dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclearand missile programs have stalled since thecollapse of a second summit between U.S.President Donald Trump and North Koreanleader Kim Jong Un in the Vietnamesecapital of Hanoi in February.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-usa/u-s-hopes-for-north-korea-talks-in-days-weeks-pompeo-idUKKCN1VT0OT

North Korea could warm up to talksafter removal of ‘war maniac’BoltonDavid Brunnstrom, Reuters, September 11,2019

In the past, Bolton has proposed usingmilitary force to overthrow the ruling Kimfamily and U.S. officials have said Boltonwas responsible for the collapse of Trumpand North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’ssecond summit in Vietnam in February.Trump announced he had fired Bolton a dayafter North Korea signaled a newwillingness to resume stalleddenuclearization talks with the UnitedStates, but then conducted the latest in aspate of missile launches here Policy analystssay Bolton’s departure could help U.S. effortsto revive the talks but will not makeWashington’s aim of persuading Pyongyangto give up its nuclear weapons any easier.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bolton-northkorea/north-korea-could-warm-up-to-talks-after-removal-of-war-maniac-bolton-idUSKCN1VV2N4

USA begins first commercial testingof silicide fuelWorld Nuclear News, September 11, 2019

The two assemblies contain chromium-coated zirconium cladding for enhancedoxidation and corrosion resistance, higher

density ADOPT pellets (Westinghouse’schromia and alumina doped UO2 pellets)for improved fuel economics, and uraniumsilicide pellets. Uranium silicide has ahigher density of fissile material and higherthermal conductivity than uranium oxide,providing benefits in terms of improvedsafety and better plant economics throughlonger fuel cycles and enhanced flexiblepower operation capability. The silicidepellets in the lead test assemblies areenclosed in a zirconium alloy cladding andwere manufactured at the Idaho NationalLaboratory.

“Westinghouse’s EnCore Fuel design wascreated to advance the future of thenuclear industry. We are very proud tohave achieved this important programmemilestone,” Westinghouse President andChief Executive Officer Patrick Fragmansaid. “Providing innovative products,solutions and services for our customers isat the forefront of all we do, and we arepleased to have partnered with Exelon toultimately deliver greater efficiency andreliability through our new technology.”

https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/US-begins-first-commercial-testing-of-silicide-fue

U.S. won’t rule out Trump-Rouhanimeeting after blaming Iran forSaudi attacksDoina Chiacu, Reuters, September 15, 2019

The White House on Sunday did not ruleout a potential meeting between PresidentDonald Trump and Iranian PresidentHassan Rouhani, even after Washingtonaccused Iran of being behind drone attackson Saudi oil facilities.

White House adviser Kellyanne Conwaysaid the attacks on Saturday “did not help”prospects for a meeting between the twoleaders during the United Nations GeneralAssembly this month but she left open thepossibility it could happen.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-aramco-attacks-usa/us-wont-rule-out-trump-rouhani-meeting-after-blaming-iran-for-saudi-attacks-idUSKBN1W00H0

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest21

E. Europe

Finland may allow $2.9 billionnuclear waste fund to invest instocksLefteris Karagiannopoulos, Reuters,September 2, 2019

Finland’s 2.6 billion euro ($2.90 billion)Nuclear Waste Management Fund could beallowed to invest in stocks and other higherrisk assets in order to boost returns, thecountry’s ministry of economic affairs andemployment said on Monday. Built fromannual payments by operators of nuclearplants, the fund guarantees that nuclearwaste management can be arranged underall circumstances.

A working group tasked with assessing theinvestment activities concluded in a reportthat it could be broadened from its currentrestriction of only lending to the state andto energy suppliers. The ministry will nowstart drafting proposals and initiatediscussions to amend existing regulations.The fund has grown steadily during its 35years in operation, with a further increaseexpected following the commissioning of theOlkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor in 2020.However, moderate risk-taking andensuring that there are, at all times, enoughassets available to cover the costs of nuclearwaste, should remain the leading principle,it added. The legislative process will likelybe completed by the end of 2021.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-finland-nuclear-funds/finland-may-allow-2-9-billion-nuclear-waste-fund-to-invest-in-stocks-idUSKCN1VN1DW

Restart of Scotland nuclear reactorwhere cracks found delayed againSusanna Twidale, Reuters, September 3, 2019

EDF Energy has extended an outage at theHunterston B-7 reactor on the west coast ofScotland to Jan. 15, 2020 from a previouslyscheduled Oct. 1, the British arm of Frenchutility EDF said on its website. It has beenoffline since March 2018 after routineinspections found cracks in its graphite core.

Its restart has been delayed several timessince.

Before the reactor can restart Britain’sOffice for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) mustbe satisfied with the company’s safetycase, showing the reactor would be safeto operate even in the unlikely event of anearthquake. The other reactor at the plant,which is more than 40 years old, was givenapproval to restart power production lastmonth. The two reactors at full capacitycan provide enough electricity to powermore than 1.7 million homes.

https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-nuclear/update-1-restart-of-scotland-nuclear-reactor-where-cracks-found-delayed-again-idUSL5N25U303

China still pursuing nuclear fuelprocessing plant with Areva:officialTom Daly, Reuters, September 3, 2019

China is still actively promoting a nuclearfuel processing project with France’sAreva, the head of its nuclear safetywatchdog said at a briefing on Tuesday,where he also criticized a U.S. blacklistingof Chinese nuclear firms. Commercialnegotiations on the Areva project are“almost concluded,” Liu Hua, the head ofthe National Nuclear SafetyAdministration and vice minister ofecology and environment, said at thebriefing to introduce China’s first whitepaper on nuclear safety. A formal go-ahead for the reprocessing plant would bea major boost for Areva, which has beendiscussing the project, valued at some $12billion, for more than a decade. Liu gaveno indication whether a site had alreadybeen selected for the project, which hasbeen repeatedly delayed, with a previouslyproposed venue in Lianyungang, ineastern China’s Jiangsu province, canceledafter protests.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-nuclear/china-still-pursuing-nuclear-fuel-processing-plant-with-areva-official-idUSKCN1VO088

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201922

Iran and Europe unlikely to agree onnuclear pact in next few days:RouhaniParisa Hafezi, Reuters, September 4, 2019

President Hassan Rouhani said onWednesday Iran was unlikely to reach a dealin the next few days with European partiesto save the 2015 nuclear deal, state TVreported. “I think it is unlikely that we willreach a result with Europe by today ortomorrow,” Rouhani said. “Europe willhave another two-month to fulfil itscommitments,” he added.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-rouhani/iran-and-europe-unlikely-to-agree-on-nuclear-pact-in-next-few-days-rouhani-idUSKCN1VP0MK

Trump Administration cool toFrench plan for $15 billion Iraniancredit line: officialsArshad Mohammed, Susan Heavey, Reuters,September 4, 2019

The Trump administration views a Frenchproposal to extend a $15 billion credit lineto Iran with some skepticism, U.S. officialssaid on Wednesday, adding that they hadnot seen any concrete proposal that wouldbe in keeping with U.S. sanctions on Tehran.France has floated the idea of offering Iranabout $15 billion in credit lines until the endof this year if Tehran comes fully back intocompliance with its 2015 nuclear deal,according to Western and Iranian sources.

Such a move would require approval by theUnited States, which under U.S. PresidentDonald Trump pulled out of the pact andhas since sought to pursue a “maximumpressure” campaign against Iran. Trump “isin close coordination with our partners andallies, listening to ideas, but we haven’t seenanything yet that has any more prospectsof becoming real than any of the otherschemes that have been floated over the lastyear,” the official added. Asked about theU.S. response to France’s proposal, aspokeswoman for the French Foreign

Ministry said: “Many things still need tobe resolved.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-france-credit/trump-administration-cool-to-french-plan-for-15-billion-iranian-credit-line-officials-idUSKCN1VP245

UK and Israeli leaders agree onneed to stop Iran getting nuclearweaponGuy Faulconbridge, Reuters, September 5,2019

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson andIsraeli Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu agreed during a meeting inLondon on the need to prevent Iranacquiring a nuclear weapon, DowningStreet said on Thursday.

“Both Prime Ministers agreed on the needto prevent Iran getting a nuclear weaponand stop wider destabilizing Iranianbehavior. The Prime Minister stressed theneed for dialogue and a diplomaticsolution,” a Downing Streetspokeswoman said. Johnson also said helooked forward to seeing the United States’proposals for a viable Israel-Palestinianpeace agreement, the spokeswoman said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-israel-iran/uk-and-israeli-leaders-agree-on-need-to-stop-iran-getting-nuclear-weapon-idUSKCN1VQ1WV

Britain deeply concerned at Iran’splan for faster uraniumenrichmentAlistair Smout, Reuters, September 5, 2019

Britain said on Thursday it was concernedand disappointed by Iran’s plan to takeanother step away from a 2015 nucleardeal by starting to develop centrifuges tospeed up uranium enrichment. “Iran’splan to suspend limits on nuclear researchand development is deeply concerning,”the Foreign Office said in a statement. “Thisthird step away from its commitmentsunder the nuclear deal is particularly

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest23

disappointing at a time when we and ourEuropean and international partners areworking hard to de-escalate tensions withIran.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-britain/britain-deeply-concerned-at-irans-plan-for-faster-uranium-enrichment-idUSKCN1VQ2C5

Germany urges Iran to changecourse on nuclear commitmentsPaul Carrel, Reuters, September 6, 2019

Germany said on Friday it was not too latefor Iran to change course after Tehran earliersaid it had taken a step to furtherdowngrade its commitments to a 2015nuclear deal. “We urge Iran not toaggravate the situation further,” a GermanForeign Ministry spokesman told a regularnews conference in Berlin. “It is not too latefor Iran to leave the wrong path it has gonedown.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-start-germany/germany-urges-iran-to-change-course-on-nuclear-commitments-idUSKCN1VR14W

France to pursue efforts to bringIran to comply with nuclear deal-ministerDominique Vidalon, Reuters, September 7,2019

France will continue efforts to bring Iran intofull compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal,French defence minister Florence Parly said,adding that U.S. and European moves tostrengthen security in the Gulf must be“complementary and well coordinated”.“We can only confirm our goal, which is tobring Iran to fully respect the Vienna deal,”Parly told a news conference on Saturdaywith U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper inParis.

“We must do everything we can tocontribute to ease tensions with Iran and toensure navigation safety,” she added.France has ruled out joining a U.S.-ledcoalition of countries protecting oil tankersand cargo ships from threats posed by Iran

in the Strait of Hormuz, but has pushedfor a European alternative. 

https://www.reuters.com/article/france-us-defence/france-to-pursue-efforts-to-bring-iran-to-comply-with-nuclear-deal-minister-idUSP6N25O00N

France says Iran actions negative,but dialogue still openJohn Irish, Reuters, September 8, 2019

Iran’s decision to further reduce itscommitments to the 2015 nuclear isreversible and France will continue topursue dialogue to bring it back into fullcompliance, France’s foreign minister saidon Sunday. “The actions they have takenare negative but not definitive. They cancome back and the path of dialogue is stillopen,” Jean-Yves le Drian told Europe .He said Iran was still several monthsaway from a nuclear bomb.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-france/france-says-iran-actions-nega-tive-but-dialogue-still-open-idUSKCN1VT08C

Britain accuses Iran of sellingAdrian Darya 1 tanker oil to SyriaWilliam James, Reuters, September 10,2019 

Britain’s foreign minister on Tuesday saidIranian tanker Adrian Darya had sold itscrude oil to the Assad regime in Syria,breaking assurances it had given not to sellcrude to the country. The vessel, formerlynamed Grace, was seized by British RoyalMarine commandos on July 4 on suspicionof being en route to Syria. Gibraltarreleased it on Aug. 15 after receivingformal written assurances from Tehranthat the ship would not discharge its 2.1million barrels of oil in Syria. But Britain’sforeign office said in a statement it wasclear Iran had breached those assurancesand that the oil had been transferred toSyria. The Trump administration last yearunilaterally pulled out of a 2015 nucleardeal between Tehran and Western powers,and is pursuing a campaign to bring Iran’sexports to zero.

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Washington had warned any state againstassisting the ship, saying it would considerthat support for a terrorist organization,namely, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps. The U.S. State Department onTuesday stopped short of confirmingwhether Iran had sold the oil to Assad’sregime, but strongly suggested it had.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker/britain-accuses-iran-of-selling-adrian-darya-1-tanker-oil-to-syria-idUSKCN1VV1XN

EU creates defence and spacebranch ‘to complement NATO’Robin Emmott, Reuters, September 10, 2019

The creation of a defence branch in theEuropean Commission, long resisted byBritain, is an attempt by President-electUrsula von der Leyen to stem a decline inEU influence, as it faces heavy U.S. pressureto do more for its own security. Von derLeyen, a former German defence minister,said the plans would benefit the U.S.-ledNATO alliance to which many EU statesbelong, adding: “NATO will always be (our)collective defence.” Sylvie Goulard, a formerlong-time EU lawmaker currently atFrance’s central bank, will be responsible forthe new directorate general, as commissionerfor industrial policy. Although von derLeyen gave few details, the defence arm willbuild on an EU military pact signed in late2017 to integrate defence forces by workingon new weapons and contributing to rapiddeployments. Washington supports theinitiative, but has also warned againstshutting U.S. companies out of defencecontracts.

With Britain, Europe’s other main militarypower apart from France, set to leave theEU, Germany has backed the French-ledeffort to identify weak spots in Europeanarmies with the goal of filling those gapstogether as a bloc. Space is also becomingan area where the EU wants to developtechnology jointly, particularly as China,Russia and the United States develop spaceweapons that can shut down enemymissiles and air defences or destroy satellites.The plans will rely on a proposed 13-billion-

euro defence fund for developing andbuying weapons together, with moneyfrom the EU’s common budget for defenceresearch. EU governments are expected toadd to the fund to swell its size.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-jobs-defence/eu-creates-defence-and-space-branch-to-complement-nato-idUSKCN1VV1CX

Merkel: We’ll keep trying to findsolutions with Iran to avoidescalationMichelle Martin, Tassilo Hummel, Reuters,September 11, 2019

Chancellor Angela Merkel said onWednesday that Europe had decided touphold the 2015 Iran nuclear deal andwould keep trying to find solutions thataverted escalation. “Step by step we willkeep trying to find solutions with Iran thatprevent an escalation of tensions in aglobally sensitive region. That’s our job,”Merkel told the lower house of parliament.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-germany/merkel-well-keep-trying-to-find-solutions-with-iran-to-avoid-escalation-idUSKCN1VW0SO

French regulator puts EDFFlamanville nuclear plant onsafety watchGeert De Clercq, Reuters, September 11,2019

French nuclear regulator ASN said it hasput EDF’s Flamanville 1 and 2 reactorsunder increased surveillance following aseries of shortcomings in maintenance andcontractor oversight. The ASN’s action isthe latest in a long series of technical andoperational issues that have bedevilled EDFin recent months and raised new concernsabout the state-controlled utility’s safetyculture. The regulator said in a statementthere had been a high number ofsignificant shortcomings in the Flamanvilleplant’s maintenance and in the oversightof contractors in the plant, as well asinsufficient quality of documentation. 

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest25

EDF did not dispute the ASN’s ruling. EDF’sBelleville nuclear plant on the Loire river hasalso been under increased surveillance since2017. The problems at the Flamanville 1 and2 reactors are not directly related to themany problems with a third nuclear reactorthat EDF is building on the same site.Flamanville 3 is a decade behind scheduleand its cost has tripled to nearly 11 billioneuros and is likely to rise further. Separately,EDF said on Tuesday it had found problemswith weldings on the steam generators ofsome existing reactors, sending its sharesdown 6.8% on fears that the faults couldlead to reactor closures. The sharesrecovered some of the losses to rise 5% onWednesday. They are down 28% over thepast 12 months, making EDF the second-worst performer in the Stoxx EuropeanUtilities index

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-edf-nuclearpower-flamanville/french-regulator-puts-edf-flamanville-nuclear-plant-on-safety-watch-idUSKCN1VW0Y5

U.S. backs proposed $6.5 billion saleof 32 F-35 Lockheed jets to PolandBryan Pietsch, Reuters, September 11, 2019

The U.S. State Department said onWednesday it had approved a proposed saleof 32 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jetsworth $6.5 billion to Poland. In April, thePentagon told Congress it was consideringselling the jets to the European nation, aNATO member, as well as Greece, Romania,Spain and Singapore.

The sale would boost Poland’s contributionsto NATO and reduce the country’sdependence on Russian equipment, a StateDepartment official said in a statement.During the Cold War, Poland, which sharesborders with Russia and fellow NATOmember Germany, belonged to the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The approval of the salecomes days after U.S. Vice President MikePence visited Poland, a key ally in the region,to commemorate the 80th anniversary of thestart of World War Two. Under PresidentDonald Trump, the United States has rolledout a “Buy American” plan that relaxedrestrictions on sales and encouraged U.S.

officials to take a bigger role in increasingbusiness overseas for the Americanweapons industry.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-poland-f-35/u-s-backs-proposed-6-5-billion-sale-of-32-f-35-lockheed-jets-to-poland-idUSKCN1VW29R

France flags welding fault at fiveor more EDF nuclear reactorsDominique Vidalon, Reuters, September 12,2019

At least five nuclear reactors operated byFrench utility EDF might have problemswith weldings on their steam generators,a fault which has raised fears of closures,France’s nuclear regulator was quoted assaying. State-controlled EDF, whoseshares were down 0.9% on Thursday, hadsaid on Tuesday it had identified issueswith weldings of some existing reactors,sparking a stock price fall of nearly 7%.France has the world’s second-largest fleetof nuclear reactors behind the UnitedStates, but a spate of technical problems,coupled with hitches at reactors underconstruction, has tarnished EDF’s imageas a leader in nuclear technology. EDF hasexported to China, Finland, South Africaand South Korea, with Britain also set touse its equipment.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-edf-safety/france-flags-welding-fault-at-five-or-more-edf-nuclear-reactors-idUSKCN1VX0N7

Bosnia protects Una river to try toblock Croatian nuclear waste planMaja Zuvela, Reuters, September 12, 2019 

One of Bosnia’s two regional governmentson Thursday designated the Una river anature park, seeking to head off plansbeing considered by Croatia to build alandfill site for radioactive waste near theborder between the two countries.Trgovska Gora, located just 500 metersnorth of the Bosnian border and the riverUna, has been identified by Croatia as oneof four potential sites for dumping wastefrom the Krsko (NEK) nuclear power plantit shares with neighboring Slovenia. Nofinal decision has been made, but Croatia

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needs to take over half of the nuclear wastefrom NEK, which lies in Slovenia, by 2023.The plant was a joint venture of the tworepublics when both were part ofYugoslavia.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bosnia-croatia-environment/bosnia-protects-una-river-to-try-to-block-croatian-nuclear-waste-plan-idUSKCN1VX1LV

Britain’s move to join U.S. Gulfmission frustrates European plansRobin Emmott, John Irish, Reuters,September 13, 2019

Britain and France proposed a European-led maritime force in July that was to beindependent of the United States. They wonsupport from Denmark, Italy and Spain,who were wary of an American mission forfear of making U.S.-Iranian tensions worse.The proposal was announced after Iranseized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait,in what was then widely seen as retaliationfor the seizure of an Iranian tanker inGibraltar by British marines. The British-flagged Stena Impero is still being held byIran, although Tehran has signaled it couldrelease it soon. The Iranian tanker wasreleased from Gibraltar last month. Francewill make a fresh attempt on Sept. 16 to setup a mission to protect merchant shippingin the Strait, through which a fifth of theworld’s oil passes, hoping to gather some 15European countries in Paris to discuss a wayforward.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-europe/britains-move-to-join-u-s-gulf-mission-frustrates-european-plans-idUSKCN1VY10U

European powers urge Iran to returnto nuclear accord complianceJohn Irish, Reuters, September 13, 2019

France, Britain and Germany, the Europeanparties to Iran’s nuclear accord, on Fridayexpressed deep concern at Tehran’sviolations of the 2015 deal and urged it tocooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.“The International Atomic Energy Agencyconfirmed in its report of Sept. 8 thatadvanced centrifuges had been installed or

were being installed in Natanz. We aredeeply concerned by these activities,” theEuropean powers said in their first jointstatement since an IAEA briefing earlierthis week. “We continue to support theJCPoA (nuclear accord) and urge Iran toreverse its activities that violate its JCPoAcommitments, and to refrain from allfurther action.” “We call on Iran tocooperate with the IAEA on all relevantmatters.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-europe/european-powers-urge-iran-to-return-to-nuclear-accord-compliance-idUSKCN1VY1VI

F. Russia

Russia Backs French Efforts toUphold Nuclear DealFinancial Tribune, September 2, 2019

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov onMonday expressed support for France’sefforts to defuse tensions over Iran’snuclear program, stressing that Tehran’sdecision to reduce its compliance with the2015 nuclear deal is understandable. 

French President Emmanuel Macron’sefforts toward saving Tehran’s nuclearagreement with world powers are“commendable” and are supported byMoscow, Russia’s top diplomat saidduring a joint press conference with hisIranian counterpart, Mohammad JavadZarif, in Moscow, according to a livebroadcast by RT. 

https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/99706/russia-backs-french-efforts-to-uphold-nuclear-deal

This Dangerous RussianSubmarine Was Built to Sink U.S.Navy Aircraft CarriersSebastien Roblin, National Interest Blog,September 3, 2019

Russia’s enormous Oscar-class nuclearattack submarines, known as the Project949A, were designed during the Cold Warwith a specific mission in mind: to go

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest27

hunting for American aircraft carriers, thepride of American naval power.

Because each U.S. flattop is protected by itsown little fleet of escorting warships—manyof them specialized in antisubmarinewarfare—the Oscar’s primary game planeisn’t to creep up close for a torpedo attack.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/dangerous-russian-submarine-was-built-sink-us-navy-aircraft-carriers-77591

Test-ban body chief enters race tolead U.N. nuclear watchdogFrancois Murphy, Reuters, September 4,2019

International Atomic Energy AgencyDirector General Yukiya Amano died in Julyas he was preparing to step down earlybecause of an unspecified illness that hadvisibly weakened him over the previous year.His right-hand man, Cornel Feruta ofRomania, is now acting director general andrunning to take over the position fullyagainst Rafael Grossi, a veteran of nucleardiplomacy, currently Argentina’sambassador to the Vienna-based IAEA.

Slovakia’s government has also approved arun by the head of its Nuclear RegulatoryAuthority, Marta Ziakova, a formerchairwoman of the IAEA’s two top decision-making bodies, the Board of Governors andthe General Conference.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-nuclear-chief/test-ban-body-chief-enters-race-to-lead-u-n-nuclear-watchdog-idUSKCN1VP1CT

Russian Nuclear Blast Debris IsStill Emitting Radiation, ReportsSayThe Moscow Times, September 4, 2019

Journalists in northern Russia havemeasured high levels of radiation near twoabandoned boats that were brought ashorefollowing last month’s mysterious accidentduring a test at a military site that has raisedinternational concerns and safety fears.

Five nuclear engineers and two DefenseMinistry employees were killed after a liquid

propulsion system exploded on a seaplatform Aug. 8, leading to a brief spikein radiation by up to 16 times in nearbycities. News outlets have recently reported,citing U.S. intelligence and photographsfrom the site, that the blast occurred duringa mission to salvage a nuclear-poweredcruise missile from the bottom of the sea.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/04/russian-nuclear-blast-components-still-emit-radiation-reports-say-a67131

Putin Says Russia Will ProduceNew Missiles After Demise ofNuclear PactThe Moscow Times, September 5, 2019

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursdaythat Russia would produce missiles thatwere banned under a landmark Cold-Warera nuclear pact that ended last month,but that Moscow would not deploy themunless the United States did so first.

Speaking at an economic forum in Russia’sFar East, Putin said Moscow had urgedthe United States to de-escalate a spirallingarms race between the former Cold Warfoes, but that Washington had notresponded. The Russian leader said hewas concerned by U.S. talk of deployingmissiles in Japan and South Korea, adeployment he said would cover parts ofRussian territory. Tensions over nucleararms control have been rising afterWashington formally pulled out of theIntermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty(INF) pact last month accusing Russia ofviolating it, allegations Moscow denied.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/05/putin-says-russia-will-produce-new-missiles-after-demise-of-nuclear-pact-a67166

Rosatom wins licence to buildsecond nuclear reactor in TurkeyGeert De Clercq, Reuters, September 6,2019

Russia’s Rosatom has won a licence to startbuilding the second of four plannednuclear reactors in Turkey and ispreparing to install the first steel

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equipment on the first unit this autumn,Deputy CEO Kirill Komarov said on Friday.The $20 billion project to build four Russian-design reactors in Akkuyu on theMediterranean is one of the largest nuclearnew-build projects worldwide and willallow Turkey to join the small club of nationswith civil nuclear energy.

https://in.reuters.com/article/rosatom-nuclearpower-turkey/update-1-rosatom-wins-licence-to-build-second-nuclear-reactor-in-turkey-idINL5N25X42Y

Rosatom says close to signingcontract for Uzbekistan nuclearreactorsGeert De Clercq, Reuters, September 6, 2019

Russian nuclear reactor builder Rosatom isclose to signing a commercial contract tobuilding two nuclear reactors in Uzbekistan,Rosatom’s head of international businesssaid. Uzbekistan, a central Asian republicformerly part of the Soviet Union, signed afirst intergovernmental agreement withRussia in 2017 for cooperation in civilnuclear, followed by a secondintergovernmental agreement in September2018 for the construction of two VVER-1200Rosatom reactors.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/rosatom-nuclearpower-uzbekistan/rosatom-says-close-to-signing-contract-for-uzbekistan-nuclear-reactors-idUKL5N25X4RU

‘Russia to make efforts to preservenuclear deal’Tehran Times, September 6, 2019

“Russia has always been committed to theimplementation of the JCPOA by all parties.For our part, we will push ahead with effortsto preserve the Iran deal at various levels,including the parliamentary one, and drafta working mechanism to salvage it,” TASSquoted him as saying in a post on hisTelegram channel. He also said thatWashington is trying to force Iran to

abandon the nuclear deal and push theEuropean Union towards reimposingsanctions.

“The United States is pursuing an obviousobjective: to force Iran to abandon thenuclear deal altogether and thereforepush Europeans towards restoring theanti-Iran package of restrictive measuresunder U.S. control. The White Househopes to achieve a regime change inTehran by reimposing the U.S. and EUsanctions, strengthening Iran’s politicalisolation and whipping up tensions in thePersian Gulf region in general,” he said.

He also said that Washington’swillingness to hold talks with Iran shouldnot be taken seriously.  “Unlike NorthKorea, Iran has neither nuclear weaponsnor missiles capable of reaching U.S.territory. So, the only direct dialogue withTehran that Washington could foster isunconditional surrender [under the U.S.scenario],” he said.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/440006/Russia-to-make-efforts-to-preserve-nuclear-deal

‘Potentially Dangerous’ ObjectsFound in Northern Russia AfterAccidentThe Moscow Times, September 6, 2019

Potentially dangerous objects have beenfound in an area of northern Russia wherean accident that released radiationoccurred last month, Interfax news agencyreported on Friday, citing regionalauthorities.

A test at a military site on Aug. 8 caused abrief rise in radiation levels in the nearbycity of Severodvinsk. Russia’s stateweather agency subsequently said it hadfound the radioactive isotopes ofstrontium, barium and lanthanum in testsamples.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/06/potentially-dangerous-objects-found-in-north-ern-russia-after-accident-a67188

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest29

Russia nearly ready for reciprocalresponse after U.S. missile test –RIAReuters, September 6, 2019

Russia is close to completing preparationsfor a like-for-like response following a U.S.missile test that was carried out last month,the RIA news agency cited Deputy ForeignMinister Alexander Grushko as saying onTuesday.

The Pentagon said last month it had testeda conventionally-configured cruise missilethat hit its target after more than 500 km(310 miles) of flight, its first such test sincethe demise of the landmark INF nuclear armslimitation treaty. (Reporting by VladimirSoldatkin; writing by Tom Balmforth;Editing by Kevin Liffey)

https://in.reuters.com/article/usa-pentagon-missiles-russia/russia-nearly-ready-for-reciprocal-response-after-us-missile-test-ria-idINR4N25V05F

Russian Nuclear-Powered CargoShip Loaded With SeafoodApproaches NorwayThe Moscow Times, September 10, 2019

The world’s only remaining civilian nuclear-powered cargo ship, the Sevmorput, issailing south into the Norwegian Sea enroute to St. Petersburg with 204 refrigeratedcontainers of frozen fish from the Pacificaimed for the market in European Russia.The ship will arrive in St. Petersburg by theend of this week after sailing south alongthe coast of Norway through the Great Beltin Denmark and into the Baltic Sea.

“It’s crucial for Rosatomflot to expand thegeography of our work,” says MustafaKaskha, director of the Murmansk-based,state-owned fleet of nuclear-poweredicebreakers.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/10/russian-nuclear-powered-cargo-ship-loaded-with-seafood-approaches-norway-a67218

Russian Navy to get four nuclearsubs next year — shipyardTASS News Agency, September 10, 2019

The Russian Navy will get one nuclearsubmarine by the end of 2019 and fourmore - in 2020, Sevmash shipyard DirectorGeneral Mikhail Budnichenko toldreporters on Monday. “We will deliver onenuclear sub this year and four more - nextyear, strictly in line with the contract,” hesaid.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister AlexeiKrivoruchko said that next year, Sevmashis to deliver the special-purpose Belgorodnuclear-powered submarine, Project-955A(Borei-A class) Knyaz Vladimir strategicsubmarine and two Project 885M (Yasen-M class) nuclear-powered cruise missilesubmarines, the Kazan and theNovosibirsk.

https://tass.com/defense/1077381

Trump’s ‘Bolton-free’ policy plansand Moscow’s multilateralstrategic modelTASS News Agency, September 12, 2019

US National Security Adviser JohnBolton’s firing will make Washington’spolicy even more “Trump-centric”, butthis is unlikely to result in any seriousdeterioration of the international climate.Ahead of launching his new presidentialcampaign, Donald Trump will prefer amore moderate policy than Bolton, a dyed-in-the-wool hawk, had advised him topursue, experts told Vedomosti. Thedismissal of Bolton, Trump’s third nationalsecurity adviser who got sacked over thepast three years, came as a surprise thatwas welcomed by everyone. Bolton’s viewson foreign policy and US global actionsconflicted with those of the president. Hehad been vigorously trying to influenceTrump’s foreign policy decisions and didnot hesitate to argue with the president.The ex-White House adviser was a leading

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201930

foreign policy hawk, who insisted on gettingtougher with Iran and Russia and wasopposed to easing tensions with NorthKorea, said Andrei Kortunov, DirectorGeneral of the Russian International AffairsCouncil (RIAC).

The last straw that had led to his firing wasBolton’s attempt to stave off a deal with theTaliban and the withdrawal of forces fromAfghanistan. Now Trump will solveinternational issues himself and Bolton’ssuccessor will be just a figurehead, expertin international relations Vladimir Frolovsaid. Washington’s foreign policy couldbecome even more impulsive, but willremain rather predictable, Frolov noted.Trump is set to continue his policy oncurtailing US combat operations across theworld and decreasing US involvement inglobal conflicts. Unlike Bolton, the presidentviews diplomatic pressure as a means ofachieving compromise rather than as acurtain-raiser for a military conflict,according to the expert. Now given a freerhand, the US president, who has calledhimself an expert dealmaker, is poised tostrike “great deals” with authoritarianregimes. Meanwhile, he understands thatforeign policy and military failures will beused against him in the 2020 presidentialcampaign.

https://tass.com/pressreview/1077783

Russia Is Building Submarines toDeliver a ‘Radioactive Tsunami’Mark Episkopos, National Interest Blog,September 13, 2019

The first special-purpose nuclear submarineto carry Russia’s upcoming “Poseidon”thermonuclear torpedoes, Belgorod, willenter trials in June 2020 and is due to becommissioned several months later, whilethe Poseidon system itself is unlikely to enterservice until the late 2020’s.

“The vessel has already begun trials,”Sevmash shipyard Director General MikhailBudnichenko told Russian state newsagency TASS earlier this week. “Besides, wehave a schedule approved by the DefenseMinistry, and the work is being carried outin strict compliance with this schedule… in

line with the schedule, the acceptance actis to be signed in September of the sameyear.”

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russia-building-submarines-deliver-radioactive-tsunami-80381

Leningrad II-2 fitted with dummyassemblies ahead of March fuelloadingWorld Nuclear News, September 13, 2019

“In loading the simulators [dummyassemblies] into the reactor,we’ve performed two tasks: we’ve workedout the transport and technologicaloperations to transfer such importantequipment from a special storage facilityto the reactor building; and we’vedemonstrated the reliable operation andaccuracy of the loading machine,”Alexander Belyaev, chief engineer ofLeningrad II, said in the companystatement.

The dummy fuel assemblies, which will bein the reactor vessel until the beginning ofnext year, are necessary to confirm thegeometry of the reactor core, to circulatethe primary circuit and for a hot run theunit, Rosatom said.

https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Leningrad-II-2-fitted-with-fuel-assemblies

Russia’s first sea-borne nuclearpower plant arrives to its baseReuters, September 14, 2019

Russia’s first-floating nuclear power planthas arrived to its permanent base near anisolated Russian town across the BeringStrait from Alaska, Russian state nuclearenergy company Rosatom said onSaturday. Developed by Rosatom, theplant, known as “Akademik Lomonosov”,set off on a 5,000 km (3,100 mile) journeyon Aug. 23 through Arctic waters to reachthe Chukotka region.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-nuclear-floating/russias-first-sea-borne-nuclear-power-plant-arrives-to-its-base-idUSKBN1VZ0CY

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest31

West Asia

G. Iran

Iran warns EU over nuclearcommitments as deadline forfurther steps loomsTuqa Khalid, Reuters, Septemeber 2, 2019

Iran has said it will breach the deal’s limitson its nuclear activities one by one,ratcheting up pressure on the countries whostill hope to save it. Tehran has threatenedto take further steps by Sept. 6, such asenriching uranium to 20% or restartingmothballed centrifuges, machines thatpurify uranium for use as fuel in powerplants or, if very highly enriched, inweapons.

Tehran is prepared to take a “stronger step”in reducing its commitments under the dealwith world powers if European countriesdon’t take action to save the pact, its foreignministry’s spokesman said on Monday. “Thethird step has been designed and will bestronger than the first and second steps tocreate balance between Iran’s rights andcommitments to the JCPOA,” state newsagency IRNA quoted the foreign ministry’sspokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying onMonday. However, Iran had earlier stressedthat these steps are “reversible” if theEuropean signatories of the pact fulfilledtheir obligations.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclaer-step/iran-warns-eu-over-nuclear-commitments-as-deadline-for-further-steps-looms-idUSKCN1VN0OO

Iran says it closes gaps with Francein talks on nuclear dealPeter Graff, Reuters, September 2, 2019

Iran and France’s views have become closerover Tehran’s nuclear deal, mainly afterphone calls between President HassanRouhani and his French counterpartEmmanuel Macron, Iran’s governmentspokesman said on Monday. “Fortunatelythe points of views have become closer onmany issues and now technical discussions

are being held on ways to carry out theEuropeans’ commitments (in the nucleardeal),” the spokesman, Ali Rabiei, said inremarks carried by state television,without giving details.

Since the United States pulled out of the2015 nuclear deal last year, Europeanparties to the pact have been trying toconvince Iran to remain compliant bypromising to shield its economic interestsfrom U.S. sanctions.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-france-spokesman/iran-says-it-closes-gaps-with-france-in-talks-on-nuclear-deal-idUSKCN1VN0NJ

US won’t waive sanctions to allowFrench-proposed Iran credit lineSaudi Gazette, September 4, 2019

A senior US official on Wednesday ruledout issuing waivers to Iran sanctions topermit a French-proposed credit line,which Tehran says could bring it back tofull compliance with the nuclear deal. “Wecan’t make it any more clear that we arecommitted to this campaign of maximumpressure and we are not looking to grantany exceptions or waivers,” Brian Hook,the State Department coordinator on Iran,told reporters. He added, however, thathe has not yet seen a “concrete” Frenchproposal and could therefore not commenton the idea.

French President Emmanuel Macron hasbeen seeking to ease soaring tensions bybringing some economic relief to Iran andlast month appeared to draw PresidentDonald Trump’s interest when Macronsaid he hoped to arrange a summitbetween the US leader and his counterpartHassan Rohani. Iran has been threateningto take new actions to curb its compliancewith a 2015 denuclearization deal, fromwhich Trump withdrew last year as hereimposed punishing sanctions.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576398/World/Mena/US-wont-waive-sanctions-to-allow-French-proposed-Iran-credit-line

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Defiant Iran pooh-poohs USsanctions on its space programSaudi Gazette, September 4, 2019

Iran rejected on Wednesday as “ineffective”US sanctions imposed on Tehran’s civilianspace agency and two researchorganizations for allegedly being used toadvance the country’s disputed ballisticmissile program. “Americans are addictedto sanctions. These sanctions are totallyineffective,” Iran’s semi-official Tasnim newsagency quoted Foreign Ministry MohammadJavad Zarif as saying.

The United States imposed sanctions onIran’s civilian space agency and tworesearch organizations on Tuesday, sayingthey were being used to advance Tehran’sballistic missile program. The US Treasurysanctions targeted the Iran Space Agency,Iran Space Research Center and theAstronautics Research Institute, accordingto a statement on its website. “The UnitedStates will not allow Iran to use its spacelaunch program as cover to advance itsballistic missile programs,” Secretary of StateMike Pompeo said in a statement.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576358/World/Mena/Defiant-Iran-pooh-poohs-US-sanctions-on-its-space-program

Iran gives Europe two more monthsto save nuclear dealSaudi Gazette, September 4, 2019

Iran’s President Hassan Rohani gaveEuropean powers another two months tosave a 2015 nuclear deal on Wednesday, butwarned that Tehran was still preparing forfurther significant breaches of the agreementif diplomatic efforts failed. His statementcame as Iranian officials appeared to give aguarded welcome to a French proposal tosave the atomic pact by offering Iran about$15 billion in credit lines until the end of theyear if Tehran comes fully back intocompliance.

Rohani said talks with European powerswere moving forward, raising hopes of atleast a pause in a diplomatic confrontationbetween Iran and the West that has stoked

already heightened tensions across theregion.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576359/World/Mena/Iran-gives-Europe-two-more-months-to-save-nuclear-deal

Iran nuclear crisis in 300 wordsBBC, September 5, 2019

What does the deal do? Iran has alwaysinsisted its nuclear programme is peaceful.But suspicions it was being used as a coverto develop a nuclear bomb prompted theUN Security Council, US and EU toimpose crippling sanctions from 2010. IranAccelerates Nuclear Research, Threatensto Boost Uranium Stockpile Move comesafter Europe failed to meet a deadline tooffset the impact of U.S. sanctions. In 2015,Iran reached a deal with six powers - theUS, UK, France, China, Russia andGermany - that saw it limit its nuclearactivities in return for sanctions relief.

The deal restricted Iran’s enrichment ofuranium, which is used to make reactorfuel but also nuclear weapons. It was alsorequired to redesign a heavy-water reactorbeing built, whose spent fuel wouldcontain plutonium suitable for a bomb,and allow international inspections. Whatprompted the latest crisis? PresidentDonald Trump abandoned the deal inMay 2018 and reinstated US sanctions. Hewanted a new deal that would also curbIran’s ballistic missile programme and itsinvolvement in regional conflicts. Iranrefused and saw the value of its currencyplummet and its inflation rate soar as thesanctions took effect. When the sanctionswere tightened this May, Iran stoppedabiding by some commitments in the deal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48201138

EU urges Iran to ‘reverse’ scale-back from N-dealSaudi Gazette, September 5, 2019

The EU on Thursday urged Iran to reverseits scale-back of commitments to thenuclear accord struck with world powers

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest33

after the Islamic Republic announced it wasending curbs on atomic research. EuropeanCommission spokesman Carlos Martin Ruizde Gordejuela told a media briefing inBrussels that the decision was “inconsistent”with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,under which the accord is implemented.

“And in this context we urge Iran to reversethese steps and refrain from furthermeasures that undermine the nuclear deal,”he said. Meanwhile, Iran said on Thursdaythat it will announce details on Saturday ofits latest scaling back of its commitmentsunder a 2015 nuclear deal in response tosweeping US sanctions.

Atomic energy organization spokesmanBehrouz Kamalvandi will hold a newsconference to set out the details of Iran’s thirdcut to its nuclear commitments since May,the semi-official ISNA news agency said.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576462/World/Mena/EU-urges-Iran-to-reverse-scale-back-from-N-deal

Iran ‘inching’ toward place wheretalks could be held: Pentagon chiefSaudi Gazette, September 6, 2019

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said onFriday that it appeared Iran was inchingtoward a place where talks could be held,days after US President Donald Trump leftthe door open to a possible meeting withIranian President Hassan Rohani. Frictionbetween the two countries has deepenedsince Trump last year withdrew from a 2015international accord under which Iran hadagreed to rein in its atomic program inexchange for relief from economic sanctions.

Washington has renewed and intensified itssanctions, slashing Iran’s crude oil sales bymore than 80 percent. “It seems in someways that Iran is inching toward that placewhere we could have talks and hopefullyit’ll play out that way,” Esper said at theRoyal United Services Institute think-tankin London. Asked at a press conference laterwhat he was basing his comments on, Espersaid it was “in light of some of the comments

made by the Iranians in the wake of theG7.”

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576517/World/Mena/Iran-inching-toward-place-where-talks-could-be-held-Pentagon-chief

Iran takes further step to scaleback nuclear commitmentsSaudi Gazette, September 6, 2019

Iran said on Friday it had taken a step tofurther downgrade its commitments to a2015 nuclear deal with the world’s mostpowerful nations, according to Iranianmedia, in retaliation to US sanctionsreimposed on Tehran. Iran said onWednesday it would begin developingcentrifuges to speed up the enrichment ofuranium, which can produce fuel forpower plants or for atomic bombs. Tehrandenies seeking nuclear weapons.

“Foreign Minister (Mohammad Javad)Zarif, in a letter to EU (European Union)policy chief (Federica Mogherini)announced that Iran has lifted alllimitations on its (nuclear) Research andDevelopment (R&D) activities,” Iran’sStudents News Agency ISNA quotedForeign Ministry spokesman AbbasMousavi as saying. Under the deal, Iran isallowed limited research and developmenton advanced centrifuges, which acceleratethe production of fissile material that canbe used to make a nuclear bomb. Iran alsoagreed to limitations on specific researchand development activities for eight years.

President Donald Trump pulled theUnited States out of the deal last year,arguing it did not go far enough, andreimposed sanctions that has slashed Iran’scrude oil sales by more than 80 percent.Iran has responded by scaling back itsnuclear commitments since May and hasthreatened to continue removing restraintson its nuclear program unless Europeanparties to the pact did more to shield Iran’seconomy from the US penalties.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576524/World/Mena/Iran-takes-further-step-to-scale-back-nuclear-commitments

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Third step: Iran officially informsEU of plan to expand nuclear R&DTehran Times, September 6, 2019

In a letter to European Union foreign policychief Federica Mogherini on Thursday,Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarifannounced that as a third step Iran stopsimplementing all commitments related tonuclear research and development (R&D)under the 2015 nuclear deal, officiallyknown as the JCPOA. “Today, the Iranianforeign minister sent a letter to Mogherini,announcing that the Islamic Republic of Iranstops all commitments in the area of researchand development under the JCPOA becauseof consequences of the United States’withdrawal from the deal and the threeEuropean countries’ failure to implementtheir commitments,” Foreign Ministryspokesman Abbas Mousavi said.

“In this letter, it has been said that this actionis in line with Iran’s rights under the JCPOAand within the paragraph 36 of it and is inresponse to violation of the JCPOA duringthe past 16 months.” Mousavi added,“Technical details of Iran’s action will beannounced to the International AtomicEnergy Agency.”According to Mousavi, thefinal part of the letter said, “In order to showits good will, the Islamic Republic of Iran isprepared to continue negotiations at all levelswith the parties remaining in the JCPOA,and return to the full implementation of theJCPOA in case the other parties implementall their JCPOA commitments.”

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/439970/Third-step-Iran-officially-informs-EU-of-plan-to-expand-nuclear

Pompeo says Iran nuclearcommitment cuts ‘unacceptable’Saudi Gazette, September 6, 2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said onFriday that Iran’s latest reduction incommitments to a nuclear deal — made inretaliation for US sanctions — was“unacceptable.” “They announced... thatthey’re going to continue to do more research

and development on their nuclear weaponsystems. Those things are unacceptable,”Pompeo told Kansas City radio stationKCMO.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani madethe announcement on Wednesday and thecountry’s atomic energy organization is setto hold a press conference on Saturday,as Tehran shows its frustration with the2015 deal. Iran has been negotiating withEuropean powers that hope to salvage theaccord despite the reimposition ofsanctions by the United States, which lastyear pulled out of the deal. Despite hishawkish stance, President Donald Trumphas said he is willing to speak with Iran, aprospect proposed by France.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576563/World/Mena/Pompeo-says-Iran-nuclear-commitment-cuts-unacceptable

Iran further breaches nuclear deal,says it can exceed 20% enrichmentSaudi Gazette, September 7, 2019

Iran said on Saturday it was now capableof raising uranium enrichment past the20% level and had launched advancedcentrifuge machines in further breaches ofcommitments to limit its nuclear activityunder a 2015 deal with world powers.“We have started lifting limitations on ourResearch and Development imposed bythe deal ... It will include development ofmore rapid and advanced centrifuges,”Iranian nuclear agency spokesmanBehrouz Kamalvandi told a televised newsconference.

The 2015 pact curbed Iran’s disputednuclear program in exchange for relieffrom sanctions, but has unraveled since theUnited States pulled out of it last year andacted to strangle Iran’s oil trade to push itinto wider security concessions.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576663/World/Asia/Iran-further-breaches-nuclear-deal-says-it-can-exceed-20-enrichment

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest35

IAEA found uranium traces at Iran‘atomic warehouse’ — diplomatsSaudi Gazette, September 8, 2019

Samples taken by the UN nuclear watchdogat what Israel’s prime minister called a“secret atomic warehouse” in Tehranshowed traces of uranium that Iran has yetto explain, two diplomats who follow theagency’s inspections work closely say. TheInternational Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) is investigating the particles’ originand has asked Iran to explain the traces. ButTehran has not done so, according to thediplomats, stoking tensions betweenWashington and Tehran. US sanctions haveslashed Iranian oil sales and Iran hasresponded by breaching its 2015 nucleardeal with world powers.

In a speech a year ago Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu, who vehementlyopposed the deal, called on the IAEA to visitthe site immediately, saying it had housed15 kg (33 lb) of unspecified radioactivematerial that had since been removed.Reuters first reported in April that the IAEA,which is policing the nuclear deal, hadinspected the site — a step it had said it takes“only when necessary” — andenvironmental samples taken there were sentoff for analysis.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576763/World/Asia/IAEA-found-uranium-traces-at-Iran-atomic-warehouse-mdash-diplomats

U.S. Says Iran possibly ConductingSecret ActivitiesJerusalem Post, September 10, 2019 

United States is accusing Iran of conducting“secret nuclear activities” after PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech lastnight, in which he announced that Israel hadunveiled other secret sites in the Iraniannuclear program.

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/US-Iran-Possible-Secret-Nuclear-Operation-601206

Rouhani to Merkel: Iran’sinterests must be guaranteed innuclear dealTehran Times, May 11, 2019

In a phone conversation with GermanChancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday,President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran’sinterests must be guaranteed in the nucleardeal, known as the Joint ComprehensivePlan of Action. Rouhani said that theEuropean Union states, especiallyGermany, France and UK, shouldannounce their stance on guaranteeingIran’s interests in the JCPOA after Trumppulled the U.S. out of the internationaldeal on Tuesday.

He said, “Iran’s interests in issues relatedto the JCPOA such as sale of oil, gas andalso banking relations should beguaranteed transparently and clearly.”“These issues which can help preservingthe JCPOA should be discussed by theIranian and European foreign ministersand experts in future weeks,” Rouhaniasserted. Iranian Foreign Minister isscheduled to meet with his German,French and British counterparts in Brusselson Monday to discuss the fate of thenuclear agreement.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/423437/Rouhani-to-Merkel-Iran-s-interests-must-be-guaranteed-in-nuclear

Expert: Non-European tradepartners better for IranHaniyeh Sadat Jafariyeh, Tehran Times,May 11, 2019

European countries have been looking toincrease trade ties with Iran since the 5+1countries and Iran struck a nuclear dealaccording to which Tehran agreed to limitits nuclear activities in exchange fortermination of most economic sanctions.The multilateral deal, involving Iran, theEuropean Union, Germany and the fivepermanent members of the UN Security

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Council, was clinched in 2015 and went intoforce in January 2016.

Europeans have repeatedly affirmed thatthey would stick to the deal since it wassigned and endorsed by the UN SecurityCouncil, however, under the presentcondition that President Donald Trump haspulled out the U.S. from the nuclear deal,known as the JCPOA, they need to findways to limit any impact from possible U.S.sanctions to ensure their firms continue todo business with Tehran. One of theiroptions would be restoring “blockingregulations”, a system from 1996 that wouldprotect European firms. The regulationswere agreed in 1996 as a countermeasureto the U.S. extraterritorial economicsanctions against Cuba, which EUgovernments said benefited U.S. foreignpolicy interests at the expense of Europeansovereignty.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/423457/Expert-Non-European-trade-partners-better-for-Iran

Talks with U.S. under sanctionsmeaningless, Rouhani saysTehran Times, September 13, 2019

President Hassan Rouhani said onWednesday that it makes no sense to holdtalks with the United States when sanctionsagainst Iran are in place. “From theviewpoint of the government, parliamentand the people of Iran, negotiations with theUnited States make no sense when sanctionsremain,” Rouhani said in a phoneconversation with French PresidentEmmanuel Macron.

Rouhani noted that the U.S. refrained fromfulfilling its commitments by withdrawingfrom the 2015 nuclear deal, formally calledthe Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.Pointing to Iran’s third step in reducing itscommitments under the deal, he said thatthe action has been done under thesupervision of the International AtomicEnergy Agency (IAEA) and is reversible. Thepresident once against urged the EuropeanUnion, particularly France as a heavyweight

member of the 27-nation bloc, to play theirpart in preserving the deal.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/440086/Talks-with-U-S-under-sanctions-meaningless-Rouhani-says

Through seeking talks with Iran,Trump intends the region torecognize Israel: ex-diplomatTehran Times, September 15, 2019

Ahmad Dastmalchian, Iran’s formerambassador to Lebanon, has said that U.S.President Donald Trump’s objective inseeking talks with Iran is a recognition ofthe Zionist regime of Israel in the MiddleEast. “The United States seeks recognitionof the Zionist regime in the region and usesvarious countries as slave on this pathsuch as the view it has about Saudi Arabia,and seeking talks with Iran is in line withthis objective of the United States,” ISNAquoted Dastmalchian as saying onSunday.

“However, the resistance front countersthem. The United States seeks to divide theregional countries, but the resistance frontmakes efforts for the countries to beindependent from the United States andthe Zionist regime,” he remarked. In aphone conversation with French PresidentEmmanuel Macron on Wednesday,President Hassan Rouhani said it makesno sense to hold talks with the UnitedStates when sanctions against Iran are inplace.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/440179/Through-seeking-talks-with-Iran-Trump-intends-the-region-to

Iran says Bolton’s ResignationWon’t Lead to Talks With the USReuters, September 11, 2019

The resignation of White House NationalSecurity Adviser John Bolton, a hawk onIran, will not lead to talks betweenWashington and Tehran, Iran said onWednesday. President Hassan Rouhani

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest37

urged the United States to end its policy of“maximum pressure” on his country, andsaid Tehran would cut its commitments toa 2015 nuclear deal further if necessary,state TV reported.

Last year, the United States pulled out ofthe nuclear deal, under which Iran agreedto curbs on its atomic program in return foraccess to world trade. Washington has sinceimposed what the administration calls apolicy of “maximum pressure,” includingsanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oilexports. Iran has responded with a series ofsteps to reduce its compliance with thenuclear deal, although it says it still aims tokeep it in place. Trump has suggested hewould be willing to hold talks with Iran toreach a new deal. Iran has long said talksare impossible unless Washington lifts itssanctions first.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa/iran-says-u-s-should-avoid-warmongers-after-bolton-departure-idUSKCN1VW0U5

Iran Denounces ‘US-Israel Plot’Over Nuclear ProgramReuters, September 12, 2019

Iran has denounced a “U.S.-Israeli plot” toput pressure on the U.N. nuclear watchdog,after the IAEA called in recent days for morecooperation from Tehran following whatdiplomats say was the detection of uraniumparticles at an undeclared site. TheInternational Atomic Energy Agency hasbroad powers to inspect Iran under its 2015nuclear agreement with major powers. TheIAEA has issued its calls in recent days forIran to cooperate, without saying specificallywhat prompted them, saying this isconfidential. Diplomats told Reuters theagency wants Iran to explain how traces ofuranium were found at a site that IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahudescribed a year ago as a “secret atomicwarehouse.”

“Since two days before this session of theBoard, we are witnessing a U.S.-Israeli plotwith the support of their affiliated media,”Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, KazemGharibabadi, said in a statement to an IAEA

Board of Governors meeting that began onMonday. He singled out former U.S.National Security Adviser John Bolton, ahawk on Iran who left his job on Tuesday.On Saturday, hours before the IAEA’sacting chief flew to Tehran for a visit,Bolton had said that Iran “may beconcealing nuclear material and/oractivities.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-iaea/iran-denounces-u-s-israeli-plot-over-nuclear-program-idUSKCN1VW1Q7

H. Israel

UK and Israeli leaders agree onneed to stop Iran getting nuclearweaponReuters, September 5, 2019

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson andIsraeli Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu agreed during a meeting inLondon on the need to prevent Iranacquiring a nuclear weapon, DowningStreet said on Thursday. “Both PrimeMinisters agreed on the need to preventIran getting a nuclear weapon and stopwider destabilizing Iranian behavior. ThePrime Minister stressed the need fordialogue and a diplomatic solution,” aDowning Street spokeswoman said.

Johnson also said he looked forward toseeing the United States’ proposals for aviable Israel-Palestinian peace agreement,the spokeswoman said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-israel-iran/uk-and-israeli-leaders-agree-on-need-to-stop-iran-getting-nuclear-weapon-idUSKCN1VQ1WV

Netanyahu accuses Iran ofdestroying secret ‘nuclear site’Saudi Gazette, September 9, 2019

Israeli Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu on Monday accused Iran ofhaving a previously undisclosed site aimedat developing nuclear weapons that itdestroyed. Iran destroyed the site locatednear the city of Abadeh, south of Isfahan,

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sometime between late June and late Julyafter realizing that Israel had detected it,Netanyahu alleged. In an address on livetelevision, with photos of the alleged site ona screen behind him, Netanyahu referred toan intelligence trove he had previouslyannounced last year.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/576845/World/Mena/Netanyahu-accuses-Iran-of-destroying-secret-nuclear-siteite

Netanyahu Sees US Stays “VeryVery Tough” on Iran Despite BoltonOusterJerusalem Post, September 11, 2019

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuplayed down the impact of hawkish JohnBolton’s exit from the post of US nationalsecurity adviser, predicting on Wednesdaythat Washington would hold to a tough lineon Iran. US President Donald Trump firedBolton on Tuesday, citing policydisagreements. US Secretary of State MikePompeo said immediately after that Trumpmight meet Iranian President HassanRouhani at the U.N. general assembly thismonth.

Netanyahu was among the most vocalchampions of Trump’s withdrawal from the2015 nuclear deal between Iran and majorpowers and has voiced misgivings aboutWestern engagement with Tehran unlessthis leads to sweeping restrictions onsensitive nuclear projects.

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-sees-US-stays-very-very-tough-on-Iran-despite-Bolton-ouster-601424

Trump Should Not meet withRouhaniGil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post, September 11,2019 

Blue and White co-candidate for primeminister Yair Lapid called upon US PresidentDonald Trump not to go through withhis possible meeting with Iranian PresidentHassan Rouhani later this month in NewYork. Speaking in an interview with The

Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that will bepublished on Friday, Lapid differentiatedhimself from Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu, who said he would not objectto such a meeting.

“The only method that can prevent Iran’snuclearization is strong sanctions, and toomany people will assume that such ameeting would result in lifting sanctions,”Lapid said. Netanyahu told reporters whoaccompanied him to London on Thursday:“Right now, the time is to apply pressure.Does that mean that after a month or twomonths of pressure, you can’t do it? I don’trule it out, and I certainly don’t decide forthe president of the United States whento meet and whom to meet with.”

https://www.jpost.com/International/Lapid-Trump-should-not-meet-with-Rouhani-601203

Israeli Ambassador Urges US toStay the Course’ on PressuringIranRon Kampeas, Jerusalem Post, September11, 2019 

Dermer, the Israeli ambassador toWashington, urged the United States to“stay the course” and increase pressure onIran amid reports that the Trumpadministration is open to diplomaticinitiatives with the Islamic Republic.“What is important now is to stay thecourse, stand up to Iran’s aggression andcontinue ratcheting up the pressure untilIran abandons its nuclear ambitions onceand for all,” Dermer said Tuesday eveningat a pre-Rosh Hashanah reception at theembassy. “Israel looks forward to workingwith the Trump administration to do justthat in the year ahead.”

Dermer otherwise lavishly praisedPresident Donald Trump for his increasedsanctions on Iran as well as for othermoves, including moving the U.S.Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizingIsrael’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israeli-ambassador-urges-US-to-stay-the-course-on-pressuring-Iran-601442

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest39

Europe is Propping up IranianTerror While Demonizing IsraelJerusalem Post, September 12, 2019 

It’s not everyday that a world leadermanages to wrestle the attention andagenda from Donald Trump. But at therecent G7 summit in Biarritz, France, FrenchPresident Emmanuel Macron took centerstage (at least for a few moments) with hissurprise invitation to Iran’s foreign minister,Jarad Zarif. Trump has been putting thesqueeze on Iran, walking away last yearfrom the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan ofAction and ratcheting up sanctions on theIslamic Republic. In turn, Macron and otherEuropean leaders have been waging a two-front campaign — keep Iran tethered to thenuclear deal long enough to get Trump andthe United States back on board.

In addition to the Zarif invitation, Frenchofficials this month reportedly proposed a$15 billion letter of credit to compensate Iranfor U.S. sanctions and incentivize thatcountry to keep the terms of the 2015 deal.In order to understand how grievous amistake this is, Macron just has to follow themoney released to Iran since the JCPOA wassigned.

https://www.jpost.com/International/Europe-is-propping-up-Iranian-terror-while-demonizing-Israel-601439

I. Saudi Arabia

U.S. energy secretary says nuclearpower talks with new Saudiminister likely MondayTimothy Gardner, Reuters, September 13,2019

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said onFriday he will meet the new Saudi energyminister on Monday and likely discuss plansthe kingdom has to build nuclear reactors.Perry did not say where he would meetEnergy Minister Prince Abdulaziz binSalman, who took over from Khalid al-Falihon Sunday. But a U.S. official said themeeting would likely take place on thesidelines of an International Atomic EnergyAgency meeting in Vienna next week.

The kingdom has so far resisted agreeingto standards that would block its abilityto enrich uranium and reprocessing ofplutonium, possible pathways to makingan atomic weapon. On Monday, PrinceAbdulaziz said the kingdom wanted toenrich uranium for its nuclear powerprogram, potentially complicating talkswith the Trump administration on theatomic pact and the role of U.S.companies. Perry told reporters atdepartment headquarters on Friday thekingdom must agree to so-called 123nonproliferation standards before comingto any agreement.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-energy-perry/u-s-energy-secretary-says-nuclear-power-talks-with-new-saudi-minister-likely-monday-idUSKCN1VY1S7

East Asia

J. Japan

Japan urges nuke plants to preparefor decommissioning eraMari Yamaguchi, AP News, September 2,2019

Japan’s nuclear policy-setting bodyadopted a report Monday saying thecountry is entering an era of massivenuclear plant decommissioning, urgingplant operators to plan ahead to lowersafety risks and costs requiring decadesand billions of dollars. Twenty-fourcommercial reactors — or 40% of Japan’stotal — are designated for or are beingdecommissioned. Among them are fourreactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plantthat were severely damaged by the massive2011 earthquake and tsunami that strucknortheastern Japan

The annual nuclear white paper, adoptedby the Japan Atomic Energy Commission,urges utilities to learn from U.S. andEuropean examples, especially those ofGermany, France and Britain. Japan hasn’tyet completed the decommissioning of anyreactors and doesn’t have concrete plansfor the final disposal of radioactive waste.“Taking into consideration furtherincrease of nuclear facilities that will be

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decommissioned, new technology andsystems need to be developed in order tocarry out the tasks efficiently and smoothly,”the report said. “It’s a whole new stage thatwe have to proceed to and tackle.” Japaneseutilities have opted to scrap aged reactorsinstead of investing in safety requirementsunder post-Fukushima standards. Thedecommissioning of a typical reactor costsnearly 60 billion yen ($560 million) and takesseveral decades.

https://www.apnews.com/694bda3a08a44012b01c1a16a5cb1803 

Russia plans additional missiledefense buildup on Kuril IslandsMainichi Japan, September 3, 2019

Russia is planning to deploy additionalmissile systems on two islands in thenorthern portion of the Kuril Islands chainoff Japan’s Hokkaido in a bid to strengthenits defense capabilities in the region, aninternal Russian government documentshowed Monday. The document, obtainedby Kyodo News, revealed that new land-to-ship missile systems called the Bastion, witha range of more than 300 kilometers, wouldbe deployed on Paramushir and Matua inthe chain, which includes four Japan-claimed islands. The plan indicates Russiaplaces strategic importance on the KurilIslands in defending the Sea of Okhotsk andits nuclear force stronghold against theUnited States.

It also means a defense line stretching fromthe Kamchatka Peninsula to Hokkaido,which falls within the range of the missiledefense systems, will be completed soon. Thedevelopment is likely to hinder progress ontalks on a postwar peace treaty betweenPrime Minister Shinzo Abe and RussianPresident Vladimir Putin, who are scheduledto meet Thursday in Vladivostok in Russia’sFar East on the sidelines of an economicforum. With the United States seeking todeploy intermediate-range missiles in theAsia-Pacific region following the demise ofthe Intermediate-Range Nuclear ForcesTreaty with Russia last month, tensionscontinue to heighten. The document datedDecember showed that the missile defense

systems would be moved from theKamchatka Peninsula to Paramushir andMatua islands this year based on apresidential order.

It said a vessel-detection radio base andan air fleet would also be installed onMatua. Regarding the deployment of themissiles systems on the two islands, aRussian government official said, “Theyhave already been moved, and are nowbeing prepared for operation.” Tokyo hasexpressed opposition to a military buildupin the region surrounding the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands offHokkaido, which are known as theNorthern Territories in Japan and theSouthern Kurils in Russia. A separatedocument obtained by Kyodo News latelast year, thought to have been drawn upsometime after the summer, showedRussia’s plans to set up a “unified defensesystem” along the islands chain with thedeployment of additional missiles toParamushir and Matua in 2020.  

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190903/p2g/00m/0in/008000c 

Watchdog to restart probe intoFukushima nuclear accidentToshio Kawada, Asahi Shimbun, September5, 2019

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA)plans to restart its investigation into the2011 disaster at the Fukushima No. 1nuclear power plant now that radiationlevels have dropped at the site. The NRAjudged that investigators will be able toapproach key equipment at the plant toobtain new information for an analysisinto the causes of the accident. Thenation’s nuclear watchdog will compile areport on the results of the investigationwithin 2020, ahead of the 10thanniversary of the nuclear accident inMarch 2021.

An examination council whose membersinclude outside experts will be reopenedto conduct the investigation. The NRAwas established after the Great East JapanEarthquake and tsunami on March 11,

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest41

2011, led to a triple meltdown at the plantoperated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. TheNRA’s purpose was not only to strengthensafety standards at nuclear plants but alsoto clarify the causes of the Fukushimaaccident.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201909050042.html 

Japan may have to dump radioactivewater into the sea, minister saysReuters, September 10, 2019

Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power (9501.T) willhave to dump radioactive water from itsdestroyed Fukushima nuclear power plantinto the Pacific Ocean as it runs out of roomto store it, the environment minister said onTuesday. Tokyo Electric, or Tepco, hascollected more than 1 million tonnes ofcontaminated water from the cooling pipesused to keep fuel cores from melting sincethe plant was crippled by an earthquake andtsunami in 2011. “The only option will be todrain it into the sea and dilute it,” theminister, Yoshiaki Harada, told a newsbriefing in Tokyo.

“The whole of the government will discussthis, but I would like to offer my simpleopinion.” The government is awaiting areport from an expert panel before makinga final decision on how to dispose of theradioactive water. Japan’s Chief CabinetSecretary Yoshihide Suga, in a separate pressbriefing, described Harada’s comments as“his personal opinion”.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-fukushima-water/japan-may-have-to-dump-radioactive-water-into-the-sea-minister-says-idUSKCN1VV0CC 

New environment minister saysJapan should stop using nuclearpowerReuters, September 12, 2019

Japan’s newly installed environmentminister, Shinjiro Koizumi, wants thecountry to close down nuclear reactors toavoid a repeat of the Fukushima catastrophein 2011. The comments by the son of former

prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, himselfan anti-nuclear advocate, are likely toprove controversial in the ruling LiberalDemocratic Party, which supports areturn to nuclear power under new safetyrules imposed after Fukushima. “I wouldlike to study how we will scrap them, nothow to retain them,” Shinjiro Koizumi saidat his first news conference late onWednesday after he was appointed byPrime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japan’s nuclear regulator is overseen byKoizumi’s ministry. Three reactors at theFukushima Daiichi station run by TokyoElectric Power melted down after being hitby a massive earthquake and tsunami inMarch 2011, spewing radiation that forced160,000 people to flee, many never toreturn. Most of Japan’s nuclear reactors,which before Fukushima supplied about30 percent of the country’s electricity, aregoing through a re-licensing process undernew safety standards imposed after thedisaster highlighted regulatory andoperational failings.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-nuclear-koizumi/new-environment-minister-says-japan-should-stop-using-nuclear-power-idUSKCN1VX01E 

SDF, U.S. Army stage first drillusing missiles to avert sea attackThe Asahi Shimbun, September 18, 2019

Japanese and U.S. ground forces for thefirst time staged a simulated attack againstan enemy ship using land-to-ship missilesat a training site in Kyushu. The jointexercise on Sept. 17 at the Oyanoharatraining area in Kumamoto Prefecture hadChina in mind as a potential target of futureoperations. It was the first joint exercisein Japan between the U.S. Army and theGround Self-Defense Force involving land-to-ship missiles. A similar joint exercisewas held last year in the United States. TheU.S. side operated the high-mobilityartillery rocket system (HIMARS) duringthe drill, which forms part of Orient Shield19 joint exercises being held in variouslocations. A GSDF unit handled Type 12surface-to-ship missiles (SSM) in the

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201942

exercise, with the training area serving asan outlying island under attack from awarship at sea.

China’s growing maritime presence in theregion was likely a key factor behind thejoint exercise, analysts said. Against thisbackground, the GSDF is stepping up effortsto protect southwestern islands off Kyushuby deploying a SSM unit to Amami-Oshimaisland off southern Kagoshima Prefecture.GSDF personnel have also been deployed toMiyakojima and Ishigakijima island. TheSSM is capable of flying at low altitudes.Given that this year’s joint exercise was heldin an area facing China, it is likely designedto highlight the close cooperation betweenJapan and the United States in defensematters. 

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201909180030.html

K. North Korea

NK-US nuclear talks will bedelayed until end of yearLee Min-hyung, Korea Times, September 3,2019

North Korea is unwilling to hold nucleartalks with the United States as of now, andwill continue to delay the dialogue until theyear-end deadline set by the North’s youngleader Kim Jong-un, experts said Tuesday.The negotiation between Washington andPyongyang on the denuclearization of theKorean Peninsula has faced ups and downsthis year following the failure of the Hanoisummit between U.S. President DonaldTrump and Kim in February. But with twoof the world’s most unpredictable leadersholding an unexpected “mini summit” atthe inter-Korean border area on June 30,expectations resurfaced over the possibleresumption of dialogue. At that time, theNorth also expressed its determination toresume working-level talks with the U.S. “inthe next few weeks” following the meeting.Pyongyang, however, did not keep thepromise, citing a number of excuses, suchas a joint military exercise between Seouland Washington.

Experts here said chances remain very slim

that the two sides will resume theirworking-level or high-level dialogueanytime soon, as they have yet to narrowtheir differences on denuclearization.Washington wants to sign a one-shot bigdeal to achieve complete denuclearizationof the peninsula, but Pyongyang is stillsticking to its previous position of taking astep-by-step approach. “As of now, thetwo countries are showing no signs ofmaking concessions, so it is unlikely thatthe North will respond to the repeated U.S.calls to resume nuclear talks,” said ParkWon-gon, a professor of internationalpolitics at Handong Global University.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/09/113_275052.html 

N. Korea continues to developICBM program: UN panelYonhap, Korea Herald, September 6, 2019

North Korea’s missile programs aredesigned to support its development ofintercontinental ballistic missiles, a UnitedNations panel of experts said Thursday,underscoring the ongoing threat posed bythe regime. The panel made the assessmentin a new report for the UN SecurityCouncil committee monitoring sanctionsimplementation against North Korea,adding that the regime’s nuclear weaponsprogram also continues unabated. Thereport covers the period Feb. 2 - Aug. 2,and comes as US-North Koreadenuclearization negotiations have stalledsince the no-deal summit between USPresident Donald Trump and NorthKorean leader Kim Jong-un in February,with the two sides apart on how far theNorth needs to denuclearize in exchangefor sanctions relief from the US. Theexperts in particular noted the significanceof recent short-range ballistic missile testsby North Korea, which Trump hasdismissed as “very standard.”

The new class of SRBMs launched on May4 and 9, as well as two missiles describedby the North as a “new-type tacticalguided weapon” launched on July 24, “areevidence of the DPRK’s ability to masterkey components of ballistic missile systems,

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest43

including solid rocket fuel production,mobility through the use of different typesof transporter erector launcher (TEL) andthe capacity to penetrate ballistic missiledefense systems,” according to thedocument. 

There is a “clear development progressionfrom propellant for artillery rockets/SRBMsto solid propellant for ICBMs,” the reportsays, adding that systems integration andinternal synergies ensure that developmentson the SRBM program benefit medium-range and intercontinental ballistic missileprograms.

“With regard to missile enginedevelopment,” the report says, “the DPRK’scurrent goal appears to be to develop a solid-fueled first stage for its ICBM.” To furthersupport their case, the experts note thatregular activity has been observed at ICBMbases close to the northern border, includingat the Hoejung-ri site, and that the North’spriority is to secure the railway networksupporting its ICBM brigades.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190906000169&ACE_SEARCH=1 

New cold war looms large betweenold foesPyongyang Times, September 7, 2019

The US, which officially announced the planfor organizing a space force in August lastyear, has set a goal of founding it as anindependent service by 2020. The USpresident gave an instruction to the DefenseDepartment to draft a bill on organizing thespace force in February this year.Accordingly, he recently expressed hisintention to build a space unit to deploymeans of attack-oriented missile defencesystem in the outer space. The internationalcommunity likens it to the Star Wars planof the Reagan administration in the 1980s.A Polish Internet magazine said that thecurrent US policy would be inefficient likethat of the Reagan administration. TheRussian foreign ministry published a pressrelease, in which it noted that the planwould inevitably trigger an arms race in theouter space, which may have very negative

consequences for international securityand stability. Recently, a missile race hasbeen reproduced between the two nuclearpowers. The US seceded from theIntermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treatyon August 2 and Russia stronglyresponded to it. In the currentcircumstances, the two countries will stepup missile development and tests likeunreined horses and it would have a greatimpact on different countries of the world.

In recent years the US has deployed MK-41 launch device capable of launchingintermediate-range cruise missiles andground-based interceptor missile systemAegis Ashore in Romania on the pretextof “missile threat” from Iran. It alsoinstalled these weapon systems in Polandand the Czech Republic. And it openlyreveals its intention to build missile basesin several Asian regions. In responseRussia deployed mobile tactical missilesystem Iskander capable of deliveringnuclear warheads in Kaliningradneighbouring Poland. It also increases thenumber of such anti-aircraft rocket systemsdeployed for action as C-400, whilepushing ahead with the development of5G anti-aircraft missile system C-500 at thefinal stage. Russian President Putin in hisannual message to the Federation Councilmade public a new-type ICBM Sarmatdeveloped by his country, explaining thatthe missile can be launched in the directionof the South and North poles and isequipped with a latest system to neutralizeMD systems. He also referred to thedevelopment of a new cruise missile andunmanned submarine in which smallnuclear-powered engines are installed.

At present the relationship betweenRussia and the US has gone beyondmistrust and friction to hostility. Theconflicting stands of the two countriesaggravate the contradictions and aregiving rise to a new era of confrontation.The Russia-US arms race that invites thesecond cold war has just begun.

http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=31290 

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201944

U.S. hopes for North Korea talks indays, weeks: PompeoReuters, September 8, 2019

The United States hopes to get back todenuclearization talks with North Korea inthe coming days or weeks, Secretary of StateMike Pompeo said on Sunday.

Negotiations aimed at dismantlingPyongyang’s nuclear and missile programshave stalled since the collapse of a secondsummit between U.S. President DonaldTrump and North Korean leader Kim JongUn in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi inFebruary. Trump and Kim met again in Juneat the border between North Korea andSouth Korea and agreed to reopen working-level talks, but that has not happened. “Weknow Chairman Kim has continued to makethe commitment to denuclearize. We arehopeful that in the coming days or perhapsweeks we’ll be back at the negotiating tablewith them. That’s the best outcome,”Pompeo said in an interview with ABC’s“This Week.” North Korea has fired a seriesof short-range missiles in recent weeks inprotest against U.S.-South Korea jointmilitary exercises and the adoption of newweapons, complicating the reopening of thetalks.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa/u-s-hopes-for-north-korea-talks-in-days-weeks-pompeo-idUSKCN1VT0OV 

North Korea says it will resumetalks but adds pressure with newlaunchesJosh Smith, Joyce Lee, Reuters, September 10,2019

North Korea fired a new round of short-range projectiles on Tuesday, South Koreanofficials said, only hours after it signaled anew willingness to resume stalleddenuclearization talks with the UnitedStates. The launches were detected early inthe morning by the South Korean military,which said they appeared to be short-rangeprojectiles. The launches came hours afterVice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said ina statement carried by state media thatNorth Korea was willing to have

“comprehensive discussions” with theUnited States in late September at a timeand place to be agreed.

Choe warned that the United Statesneeded to present a new approach or thetalks could fall apart again. A U.S. StateDepartment spokeswoman said she didnot have any talks to announce at that time.Shares of South Korean construction firmswith exposure to North Korea surged afterthe announcement that North Korea waswilling to restart talks with the UnitedStates and continued to gain despite thelatest launches. U.S. President DonaldTrump and North Korean leader Kim JongUn met at the demilitarized zone (DMZ)between the two Koreas in June andagreed to restart working-levelnegotiations that had been stalled since anunsuccessful second summit between thetwo leaders in Vietnam in February.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles/north-korea-says-it-will-resume-talks-but-adds-pressure-with-new-launches-idUSKCN1VU2GW 

Working-level nuclear talks aimedat drafting summit agreement:pro-Pyongyang paperYonhap, Korea Herald, September 12, 2019

Working-level talks expected to take placebetween the United States and NorthKorea late this month are part of a processto draft an agreement to be signed at thenext summit of the two countries, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan saidThursday.

Earlier this week, the North expressed awillingness to hold working-level talkswith the U.S. in late September in whatwould mark a resumption of thenegotiating process that reached adeadlock with February’s no-deal summitbetween U.S. President Donald Trumpand North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.The Choson Sinbo newspaper said theupcoming talks are a “process to discussand fine-tune the content to be includedin an agreement to be signed at a summit”and therefore, the negotiating teams beara heavy responsibility. “Should a summit

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest45

between the DPRK and the U.S. take place,it will be an opportunity for the DPRK andthe U.S., which threaten each other withnukes, to take a first step towardestablishing a new relationship whileresolving security concerns of each other,”the paper said.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190912000069&ACE_SEARCH=1 

North Korea could warm up to talksafter removal of ‘war maniac’BoltonDavid Brunnstrom, Reuters, September 11,2019

Having once branded John Bolton a “warmaniac”, North Korean officials could seeU.S. President Donald Trump’s removal ofhis national security adviser as a chance toresume denuclearization talks withoutfacing an unyielding hawk on the other side.In the past, Bolton has proposed usingmilitary force to overthrow the ruling Kimfamily and U.S. officials have said Boltonwas responsible for the collapse of Trumpand North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’ssecond summit in Vietnam in February.Trump announced he had fired Bolton a dayafter North Korea signaled a newwillingness to resume stalleddenuclearization talks with the UnitedStates, but then conducted the latest in aspate of missile launches here

Policy analysts say Bolton’s departure couldhelp U.S. efforts to revive the talks but willnot make Washington’s aim of persuadingPyongyang to give up its nuclear weaponsany easier. “The timing could be convenientfor U.S. diplomacy with North Korea,” saidLeif-Eric Easley, a professor at Seoul’s EwhaUniversity. “Pyongyang made its disdain forBolton well known. Kim Jong Un can spinthis personnel change in Washington as awin in North Korean domestic politics. Thatwould increase the likelihood ofdenuclearization talks restarting soon.”

Harry Kazianis, a North Korea expert atWashington’s Center for the NationalInterest think tank, said Trump was now freeto find a national security adviser opposedto wars of regime change and willing to back

a diplomatic track with North Korea.Indeed, Trump’s North Korea envoy,Stephen Biegun, a firm advocate ofengagement with Pyongyang, is amongthe names that have been floated aspossible successors to Bolton.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bolton-northkorea/north-korea-could-warm-up-to-talks-after-removal-of-war-maniac-bolton-idUSKCN1VV2N4 

North Korea tested super-largemultiple rocket launcher underKim’s guidanceKorea Times, September 11, 2019

North Korea said Wednesday that it testeda super-large multiple rocket launcher theprevious day under the guidance of leaderKim Jong-un. On Tuesday, South Korea’smilitary said that the North fired two short-range projectiles from its western regiontoward the east, saying both flew about330 kilometers. Kim “gave field guidanceto the test-fire of super-large multiplerocket launcher again on Tuesday,”according to the Korean Central NewsAgency (KCNA). Kim also said that thelatest test has finally verified the aspectsrelated to its combat operation,characteristics of trajectory, accuracy andprecise homing functions, adding theremaining step is to run a fire test “whichis most vivid character in terms of thepower of multiple rocket launcher.” TheKCNA, however, did not mentionwhether the test was a success.

Tuesday’s firings marked the 10thweapons test North Korea has conductedthis year. On Aug. 24, Pyongyang said itsuccessfully test-fired a new super-largemultiple rocket launcher. The latestweapons test came just hours after NorthKorea offered to resume nuclear talks withthe U.S. North Korean Vice ForeignMinister Choe Son-hui said in a statementthat the North is willing to sit down withthe U.S. “at the time and place to be agreedlate in September.”

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/09/103_275469.html 

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201946

North Korea carried out super-largemultiple rocket launcher test onTuesday: KCNAJoyce Lee, Reuters, September 11, 2019

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversawthe testing of a super-large multiple rocketlauncher on Tuesday, North Korean statemedia KCNA said on Wednesday. NorthKorea fired a new round of short-rangeprojectiles on Tuesday, South Koreanofficials said, only hours after it signaled anew willingness to resume stalleddenuclearization talks with the UnitedStates in late September. Kim, who hadguided the testing of the same multiplerocket launcher before, said its capabilitieshave been “finally verified in terms ofcombat operation,” and what remains to bedone with the rocket launcher is a “runningfire test,” KCNA said, without elaboratingon what the test would entail.

Kim ordered future tasks and ways to“steadily” attain cutting-edge nationaldefense to officials that had joined him,including senior officials such as his sisterKim Yo Jong, KCNA said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles/north-korea-carried-out-super-large-multiple-rocket-launcher-test-on-tuesday-kcna-idUSKCN1VV2OW 

U.S. imposes sanctions on NorthKorean hacking groups blamed forglobal attacksReuters, September 13, 2019

The U.S. Treasury on Friday announcedsanctions on three North Korean hackinggroups it said were involved in the“WannaCry” ransomware attacks andhacking of international banks and customeraccounts. The action blocks any U.S.-relatedassets of the groups and prohibits dealingswith them. The Treasury statement said anyforeign financial institution that knowinglyfacilitated significant transactions or servicesfor them could also be subject to sanctions.

“Treasury is taking action against NorthKorean hacking groups that have beenperpetrating cyber attacks to support illicit

weapon and missile programs,” said SigalMandelker, Treasury under secretary forTerrorism and Financial Intelligence.  “Wewill continue to enforce existing U.S. andU.N. sanctions against North Korea andwork with the international community toimprove cybersecurity of financialnetworks.” The United States has beenattempting to restart talks with NorthKorea, aimed at pressing the country togive up its nuclear weapons. The talkshave been stalled over North Koreandemands for concessions, includingsanctions relief.

Earlier this month, North Korea deniedU.N. allegations it had obtained $2 billionthrough cyberattacks on banks andcryptocurrency exchanges, and accusedthe United States of spreading rumors. TheTreasury statement said Lazarus Groupwas involved in the WannaCryransomware attack that the United States,Australia, Canada, New Zealand and theUnited Kingdom publicly attributed toNorth Korea in December 2017. It saidWannaCry affected at least 150 countriesand shut down about 300,000 computers,including many in Britain’s NationalHealth Service (NHS). The NHS attack ledto the cancellation of more than 19,000appointments and ultimately cost theservice over $112 million, the biggestknown ransomware attack in history.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-sanctions/u-s-imposes-sanctions-on-north-korean-hacking-groups-blamed-for-global-attacks-idUSKCN1VY1RB 

True colour as confrontationseeker fully betrayedPyonggyang Times, September 14, 2019

Recently, the south Korean militaryearmarked a record-high sum of militarybudget for the next year, which has beenincreased more than this year, andsubmitted it to the parliament on thepretext of coping with the north’s “threatsof nukes and weapons of massdestruction” and “short-range missilelaunch”. Earlier, it brought out the “2020-2024 intermediate defence plan” focusing

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest47

on “coping with the north’s threats” and“securing strategic deterrence”. This year,the south Korean authorities have stagedDPRK-targeted war exercises one afteranother in collusion with outside forces.Only the name of such war exercises as KeyResolve and Foal Eagle has been replaced,but their aggressive nature to mount amilitary attack on the DPRK remainsunchanged. Last May, the commander ofthe US forces in south Korea said that over100 joint drills have been conducted this yearalone, while the National Intelligence Serviceannounced on August 1 that south Koreaconducted 10-odd rounds of test fire ofmissiles, whose range is longer and poweris stronger than those of the north. This is aserious problem that should not gounnoticed. Despite opposition at home andabroad, the south Korean authorities stageda war game against the DPRK in replace ofthe Ulji Freedom Guardian joint militaryexercises in August.

Meanwhile, the military continues to bringin F-35A stealth fighters after purchasingtanker planes and introduced a strategicnuclear submarine of the US. It is theunanimous opinion of the internationalcommunity that the deployment of suchattack weapons and war exercisescompelled the DPRK to take due self-defensive countermeasures. Describing theDPRK’s countermeasures as “threats” andmaking them an excuse for arms buildup willonly reveal the confrontational nature of thesouth Korean warlike forces who are goingto confront with the fellow countrymen atany cost by force.

http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=31360 

Trump declines to comment onreport Kim invited him to NorthKoreaSteve Holland, Hyonhee Shin, Reuters,September 16, 2019

U.S. President Donald Trump on Mondaydeclined to comment on a newspaper reportthat North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hadinvited him to visit Pyongyang and saidconditions were not ready yet for such a visit.“The relationship is very good but I don’t

want to comment on that,” Trump toldreporters at the White House when askedwhether Kim had invited him to NorthKorea.

A South Korean newspaper on Mondaycited diplomatic sources as saying Kim hadinvited him to visit the North Koreancapital in a letter sent in August amidstalled denuclearization talks. Trump saidhe would “probably not” be inclined to visitNorth Korea in the short term, but did notrule out an eventual visit. “I would do it... at some time in a later future, anddepending on what happens I’m sure he’lllove coming to the United States also. But,no, I don’t think it’s ready for that. I thinkwe have a ways to go yet,” Trump said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-invite/trump-declines-to-comment-on-report-kim-invited-him-to-north-korea-idUSKBN1W100X 

Department director for USAffairs of DPRK Foreign Ministryreleases statementPyongyang Times, September 17, 2019

The director of the Department of USAffairs of the Foreign Ministry of theDPRK Monday made public the followingstatement: It is fortunate that the US hasrepeatedly expressed its stand to tackle anissue through dialogue and negotiations.I hope that the working-level negotiationsexpected to be held in a few weeks will bea good meeting between the DPRK andthe US. A proposal that the US putforward at the negotiations may improvethe relations and, on the contrary, may addto the hostility towards each other.

In other words, the DPRK-US dialoguesuggests two options—crisis and chance.In this sense, the upcoming working-levelnegotiations will be an occasion decisiveof the future road of the DPRK-USdialogue Clear and invariable is theDPRK’s stand. The discussion ofdenuclearization may be possible whenthreats and hurdles endangering oursystem security and obstructing ourdevelopment are clearly removed beyond

Volume 11, Number 18 September 30, 201948

all doubt. Whether the DPRK-USnegotiations will be a window for chanceor an occasion to precipitate crisis is entirelyup to the US.

http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/?bbs=31396 

L. South Korea

Combined Forces Command to moveto Pyeongtaek by 2021Park Han-na, Korea Herald, September 1,2019

South Korea and the US seek to relocatetheir Combined Forces Commandheadquarters by the end of 2021 from Seoulto Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, ahead ofthe envisioned transfer of wartimeoperational control from Washington toSeoul, according to Defense Ministryofficials Sunday. The tentative timeline wasset by the allies following a meeting betweenDefense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo andthen acting US Defense Secretary PatrickShanahan in Seoul in June when they agreedto move the CFC headquarters, currentlylocated in Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, to CampHumphreys, a US military complex inPyeongtaek.

The relocation plan will receive finalapproval by the defense chiefs during talksscheduled to be held in October or Novemberin Seoul, according to the officials.By the endof 2020, the US plans to set up the so-calledOperation Center at Camp Humphreys inthe building where the  CFC will be housed.It will serve as the nerve center and will beconnected to the US Indo-Pacific Commandin Hawaii and the US military base inJapan’s Okinawa through the “C4I” militarycommunications systems.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190901000213&ACE_SEARCH=1 

Nuke envoys of S. Korea, Russiahold talks on North Korea’sdenuclearizationYonhap, Korea Herald, September 3, 2019

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea andRussia held talks in Russia on Tuesday onNorth Korea’s denuclearization and other

peninsula issues, Seoul’s foreign ministrysaid. Lee Do-hoon, special representativefor Korean Peninsula peace and securityaffairs, met with his Russian counterpart,Igor Morgulov, in Russia’s Far Eastern cityof Vladivostok, the ministry said in arelease. They discussed the currentsituation on the Korean Peninsula,including North Korea’s latest series ofmissile launches and ways to facilitate aswift resumption of the stalled working-level negotiations between Pyongyang andWashington. In the talks, Lee was alsobriefed by Morgulov on his recent visit toPyongyang last month, and the two sidesagreed to work toward substantiveprogress for complete denuclearizationand lasting peace on the KoreanPeninsula, the ministry added.

The Russian vice foreign minister visitedPyongyang on Aug. 14-16 and met withNorth Korean officials, including hiscounterpart Choe Son-hui, and discussedtopics of mutual concern in the region.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190903000824&ACE_SEARCH=1 

S. Korea seeks global support forNK denuclearization, peace onKorean PeninsulaYonhap, Korea Herald, September 4, 2019

South Korea’s vice defense minister onWednesday held a series of bilateral talkswith his counterparts from foreigncountries and asked for their continuedsupport for efforts to denuclearize NorthKorea and build peace on the peninsula,his office said. On the sidelines of the 8thSeoul Defense Dialogue under way inSeoul, Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-minmet with his counterparts from Singapore,Uzbekistan, the Philippines and Ethiopia,to share their assessment on the recentsecurity situations in the region anddiscuss ways to deepen their defense ties,according to the ministry.

During the meeting with Singaporean vicedefense chief Chan Yeng Kit, Park askedfor Singapore’s proactive support andcooperation to encourage North Korea to

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest49

give up its nuclear program and continueto engage in the ongoing peace process.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190904000706&ACE_SEARCH=1 

Defense chief vows strong militarypower to ensure peaceYonhap, Korea Herald, September 5, 2019

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo pledgedThursday to build strong military capabilitiesto back the government’s efforts to achievepeace and prosperity on the KoreanPeninsula and beyond. “Despite last year’sachievements for peace on the KoreanPeninsula, many challenges still lie ahead,such as military tensions heightened byNorth Korea’s recent firings of short-rangeballistic missiles,” Jeong said during anopening address at the eighth Seoul DefenseDialogue (SDD). Stressing that South Koreais seeking to build “peace through power,”the minister vowed to “ensure strong defensepower to protect our country and the people,to support the government’s efforts (fordiplomacy), to achieve peace and prosperityon the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asiaand the world.”

Though the two Koreas “were not able toovercome military confrontation andtensions overnight which have lasted for thepast 70 years,” the minister said South Koreawill continue endeavor to “build mutualtrust with patience and prudence” withPyongyang. North Korea has conducted aseries of weapons tests, involving new typesof short-range ballistic missiles, in recentmonths amid stalled talks with Washingtonon its nuclear weapons program. Theminister also voiced concerns over“intensifying competition among countriesin the region which pursue their ownnational interests by creating conflicts withneighboring countries,” seen as a thinly-veiled criticism of Japan.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190905000751&ACE_SEARCH=1 

S. Korea calls for int’l cooperationon Japan’s Fukushima waterdischarge planYonhap, Korea Herald, September 5, 2019

South Korea on Thursday called forinternational cooperation to respond to apossible move by Japan to dischargecontaminated water from its crippledFukushima power plant into the PacificOcean. In a press conference held in Seoul,Choi Won-ho, the head of the Ministry ofScience and ICT’s big science policydivision, said releasing tainted water fromthe nuke plant poses a grave threat to theglobal environment and health of peopleeverywhere. “There is a pressing need towork together on this matter, and thegovernment has taken steps to create aninternational cooperation system,” he said.Seoul will send a letter outlining its graveconcerns to neighboring countries and askthe International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) to play a greater role in thisproblem.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190905000813&ACE_SEARCH=1 

S. Korea, UAE to join hands onoverseas nuke reactor projectsYonhap, Korea Herald, September 10, 2019

South Korea’s industry ministry saidTuesday it has agreed to join hands withthe United Arab Emirates (UAE) to securenew nuclear reactor projects overseas. Thestate-run Korea Electric Power Corp.(KEPCO) signed a memorandum ofunderstanding with Barakah One Co. tojointly win nuclear reactor projects,according to the Ministry of Trade,Industry and Energy. Barakah One Co. isa joint venture established by KEPCO andthe Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. SouthKorea has been building four reactors atthe Barakah nuclear plant, located 270kilometers from Abu Dhabi, since 2012.The first reactor was completed last year,with the three others also set to becompleted in the near future.

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The Barakah nuclear plant, which markedSouth Korea’s first overseas nuclear project,is significant as it paved the ground for thetwo countries to deepen ties in many areas.The latest agreement signed betweenKEPCO and the Barakah One Co. will covera wide range of cooperation, includingconstruction, operation, investment and thefostering of experts, it added. South Koreaplans to share its capabilities and experienceswith the UAE, and seek to win new projectsfrom other countries.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190910000895&ACE_SEARCH=1 

S. Korea’s top nuclear envoy visitsBeijing for talks on N.K.Yonhap, Korea Herald, September 13,2019    

South Korea’s chief nuclear envoy has heldtalks with a senior Chinese diplomat overNorth Korea and peninsula issues ahead ofan expected resumption of nuclear dialoguebetween Washington and Pyongyang,Seoul’s foreign ministry said Friday. Lee Do-hoon, special representative for KoreanPeninsula peace and security affairs, metChinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohuiin Beijing on Thursday and discussed theoverall situation on the Korean Peninsula,the ministry said in a release. The two sidestook note of how North Korea recentlymade public its intent to resume working-level talks with the United States and sharedtheir evaluations on this development, itadded.  

They also shared the view that resumptionof the nuclear negotiations is essential inmaking progress toward completedenuclearization and permanent peace onthe Korean Peninsula, and they agreed towork toward achieving these goals. Luo,who was elevated to his post handling Asiaaffairs in May, is expected to double asBeijing’s chief envoy on the North Koreannuclear issue. He accompanied ChineseForeign Minister Wang Yi when he paid avisit to Pyongyang early this month.

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190913000044&ACE_SEARCH=1 

Moon’s mission in New York: ‘Getnuke talks restarted’Kim Yoo-chul, Korea Times, September 15,2019

President Moon Jae-in will face his biggestchallenge in New York next week in hissignature “engagement-centric” NorthKorean policy, as he will be tasked withpersuading U.S. President Donald Trumpand leaders of allied countries for a “newapproach” to restart nuclear disarmamenttalks with Pyongyang. Cheong Wa Daespokeswoman Ko Min-jung said Moon willfly to New York Sept. 22 to attend thisyear’s United Nations General Assemblymeeting. During his stay, the Presidentplans to hold a meeting with Trump, whilepreparatory work is underway for apossible trilateral summit with Trump andJapanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,presidential aides said Sunday.

Cheong Wa Dae will announce the keydiscussion points for Moon and Trumpduring their upcoming summit after itconfers with the White House. Exploringways to strengthen trilateral cooperationbetween Washington, Seoul and Tokyowill be an issue at the bilateral and possibletrilateral talks as optimism has risen onrebooting talks with Pyongyang overdenuclearization. “Trump will tell Moonabout the importance of maintaining thetrilateral military alliance of Washington,Seoul and Tokyo in terms of managing theNorth Korean nuclear issue. Also, theleaders could agree on the necessity ofhaving a new approach toward the Northto move the denuclearization processforward visibly and substantially,” aCheong Wa Dae official said.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/09/113_275563.html 

South Korea to develop anti-dronesystem amid standoff with NorthReuters, September 17, 2019

South Korea is to invest 88 billion won($74 million) to develop a weapons systemby 2023 that can detect and strike drones,

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its procurement agency said on Tuesday,after incidents of infiltration by NorthKorean spy drones.

The system, nicknamed Block-I, is designedto track and destroy small drones and otheraircraft by locking invisible optical fiberrazors on a target at close range, the DefenseAcquisition Program Administration(DAPA) said. “We aim to improve thesystem so that it will ultimately be capableof intercepting a fighter jet and satellite,”Song Chang-joon, a senior official at DAPA,said in a statement. A North Korean dronewas found in 2017 on the South Korean sideof the Demilitarized Zone separating thetwo Koreas. About 550 photographs of thesite of a U.S. anti-missile defense system,taken with a built-in camera, were recoveredfrom the drone, South Korean officials said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea-drone/south-korea-to-develop-anti-drone-system-amid-standoff-with-north-idUSKBN1W20G5

M. Taiwan

Nuclear safety drill at Ma-anshan tobe held next weekTaipei Times, September 6, 2019

A nuclear safety drill is to be held fromMonday to Wednesday next week at theMa-anshan Nuclear Power Plant inPingtung County, focusing on the potentialeffects of an earthquake, Atomic EnergyCouncil Deputy Minister Liu Wen-chungsaid on Monday. The council’s annual safetydrills alternate between the three operatingnuclear power plants, with scenariosdesigned around the geographic location ofeach facility, Liu said. The exercises, whichare to be held in collaboration with theNational Science and Technology Center forDisaster Reduction, would include theevacuation of area residents by boat fromHoubihu, Pingtung’s largest fishing harbor,which is near the plant, Liu said. It wouldbe the first time a maritime evacuation isconducted as part of the annual drills,council official Liao Chia-chun said.

Although the effects of an earthquake havealways been part of the drill scenarios, this

year’s exercises would focus on a disasteranalysis by the center that includes thesimulated collapse of buildings and roads,Liao said. Local government agencies, theCoast Guard Administration, the militaryand members of the public would take partin the drill, the council said. Foreigndignitaries as well as nuclear disasterexperts from the US and Japan have beeninvited to observe the exercises, it added.On Tuesday, residents in or around thearea are to be alerted via the government’scellphone-based disaster warning system,Liao said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/09/04/2003721681 

Surviving Han’s nuclear policiesLiu Jyh-jian, Taipei Times, September 6,2019 

In its first public policy meeting, whichwas streamed live, Kaohsiung Mayor HanKuo-yu’s presidential policy advisory teamoutlined its energy policy. It also signed apetition for a referendum on resumingwork on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant.Should Han get elected, he will restartwork on this money pit. The presidentialelection and the signature drive forreferendums on abolishing or resumingwork at the Fourth Nuclear Power Plantthat ends this month will be the focus ofthe fight for a nuclear-free homeland. TheDemocratic Progressive Party will nolonger be able to avoid this issue as it didlast year.

Han’s team consists of many of formerpresident Ma Ying-jeou’s officials, who stillcling to nuclear power. The combinationof “Han fans” plus “nuclear fans” is arecipe for a farce full of “fake news” andempty promises.New Taipei City MayorHou You-yi  has said that resumption ofwork at the Fourth Nuclear Power Plantis a non-issue, as the fuel rods havealready been shipped to the US andresumption of construction would be veryexpensive. In a meeting with firefighters,he said that they would be unable tohandle a nuclear disaster. The ChineseNationalist Party’s (KMT) Taipei

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intelligentsia have never warmed to Hanand do not accept using populism tomanipulate energy issues.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2019/09/06/2003721789

N. Misc

Rooppur plant’s cost higher as it is anew experience for BangladeshThe Daily Star, September 8, 2019

Science and Technology Affairs MinisterYeafesh Osman today said that theinstallation cost of Rooppur Nuclear PowerPlant (RNPP) is higher than that of India asBangladesh is new to implement such apower plant.

The minister made the statement whileresponding to a tabled starred question fromBNP MP Rumeen Farhana in the Parliament.She in her question said that the capitalexpenditure of the Rooppur Nuclear PowerPlant is Tk 45,000 crore higher than that ofKudunkulam Nuclear Power Plant in India.

https://www.thedailystar.net/country/rooppur-nuclear-power-plant-cost-higher-it-new-experi-ence-for-bangladesh-1797358

O. Op-Ed

India

Irresponsible rhetoric: On Pakistanleaders’ threatsThe Hindu, September 2, 2019

Statements by senior functionaries ofPakistan including Prime Minister ImranKhan threatening war and violence againstIndia and in Jammu and Kashmir areirresponsible, escalatory and dangerous. Mr.Khan has even spoken about the possibilityof a nuclear war, albeit couched in languagepurportedly meant to be about the dangersof it, while a Minister went to the extent ofannouncing a time frame for starting a war.Several diplomats have called for jihad.Pakistan’s reputation as a reckless nuclear

power is reinforced in all this, and itscontinuing support for Islamist terroristoutfits is not doing any good for the peopleof J&K. Pursuit of military parity withIndia has ruined Pakistan economically,though the compact of generals and clericsthat controls it has flourished. These vestedinterests have placed Kashmir as centralto Pakistan’s national identity that theyunderstand as exclusive and Islamist. Nowunder fire for being ineffective in the faceof India’s recent measures with regard toJ&K, Mr. Khan and his allies are ratchetingup the rhetoric. The military that is in stepwith him, tested a surface-to-surfacemissile amid the tensions. Pakistan istrying to catch the world’s attention andassuage the perilous passions its statepolicies have created in its society.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/irresponsible-rhetoric/article29316555.ece

Chandrayaan 2: In its stellarjourney, ISRO has achieved ‘muchmore with much less’Huma Siddiqui, Financial ExpressSeptember 7, 2019

With Chandrayaan-2’s successful Moonrendezvous by the Orbiter (though thepartial mission of Lander is still not cleardue to communication limbo presently), itmay surprise many that within a shortjourney of just half a century, India hasbeen established as a Space power toreckon with. The red planet Mars hasalready been approached, and MoonMissions Chandrayaan-1 andChandrayaan-2 (partially) accomplishedsuccessfully, India is now destined tolaunch series of Space Missions in thiscoming 20s decade.

The Indian space agency has truly been arole model Organisation for India, a selfdriven and motivated Governmentalagency, which shows wisdom to plan itsown long term perspective andtechnological advancements. It is wellknown that every setback in Spaceresearch programme World over have onlyresulted in scientific re-strengthening of

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foundation to achieve larger and morecomplex missions next.

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/chandrayaan-2-in-its-stellar-journey-isro-has-achieved-much-more-with-much-less/1699343/

There is need & space, forrecalibrating ‘no first use’Seshadri Chari, Deccan Herald. September 7,2019

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recentcomment that India might have to rethinkits nuclear ‘No First Use’ policy in the futureraised a howl of protests. Those protestingassumed that the government is preparingto do away with NFU and open up thepossibility of a nuclear first strike againstPakistan, which in turn could lead to bothcountries assuming hair-trigger alertpostures. It would then take only onemiscalculation or misreading on the part ofeither for a long nuclear winter to descendon the subcontinent.

Nuclear first use or first strike option hasneither insulated nuclear powers againstmilitary setbacks nor given them any specialadvantage, if we go by the conflicts over thelast few decades. Advocates of a nuclearIndia were, and continue to be, aware of thefall-out of the Cold War and the arms racethat ran counter to the UN mandate of totaldisarmament and a nuclear weapons-freeworld.

Pakistan is developing low-yield warheads,which could be used by any one of the many‘non-state’ actors on its eastern and westernborders, with everything from Tel Aviv toDhaka in their purview. There are alsocredible reports of Pakistan’s securityestablishment clandestinely procuring anddeveloping tactical nukes and short-rangemissiles that could ‘accidentally’ fall into thehands of jihadi forces.

https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/there-is-need-space-for-recalibrating-no-first-use-759854.html

Move Over, Kim Jong Un: It’sTime to Talk about South AsiaAbby Pokraka, National Interest Blog,September 9, 2019

Following the crisis, recordings suggestthat both India and Pakistan contemplatedusing conventional ballistic missiles againsteach other. This would have been aserious and unpredictable escalation. Dueto lightweight decoys, cooled shrouds andother measures to prevent detection, it isnearly impossible to tell if a particularballistic missile is armed with a nuclearwarhead or conventional warhead. In acrisis where these weapons are used,leaders are more likely to launch their ownnuclear weapons immediately inretaliation rather than wait to see if theenemy’s missiles result in a mushroomcloud before firing back.

While the possibility of war between twonuclear states rapidly escalated, the newscycle was focused on the Trump-Kimsummit in Hanoi. Democrats’ protestsagainst President Donald Trump’s state ofemergency on the border and the MichaelCohen testimony before Congress. Asidefrom a few mentions on a news ticker, aviolent and escalating conflict betweenIndia and Pakistan nearly slipped underthe radar of the U.S. media.

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/move-over-kim-jong-un-it%E2%80%99s-time-talk-about-south-asia-79176

Did India’s Chandrayaan-2 MoonLander Survive? The Chances AreSlimKenneth Chang, The New York Times,September 10, 2019

India’s first moon lander, which fell silentas it headed toward the lunar surface onFriday, has been located from orbit, thecountry’s space agency says. That hascreated hope that it might be revived. If itdid indeed land in working condition, that

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would be an impressive feat. In the historyof spaceflight, robotic probes that suffer amalfunction while landing on another worldare not heard from again.

Chandrayaan-2 — India’s second missionto the moon — consists of two parts: anorbiter that will conduct research in orbitfor up to seven years, and a lander namedVikram (which also contained a rover,Pragyan). The lander and orbiter separatedlast week with the orbiter remaining in acircular orbit 60 miles above the moon, andthe lander moving to a more elliptical path,coming within 20 miles of the surface.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/science/india-chandrayaan-2-vikram.html

Indian Moon Probe’s Failure Won’tStop an Asian Space Race thatThreatens Regional SecurityWendy Whitman Cobb, National InterestBlog, September 11, 2019

On Sept. 7, India’s Chandrayaan-2 lunarmission deployed its Vikram lander for anattempted landing at the Moon’s southpole. Communications with the lander werelost just minutes prior to the scheduledlanding. Recent imaging suggests thatVikram may have survived the landingintact, but it might be unable tocommunicate. No matter the outcome, themission has already proved successful asChandrayaan-2 continues to orbit the Moon.

This year alone, both China and India havelanded, or attempted to land, probes on theMoon. These types of missions are one wayto achieve international prestige. But theyalso peacefully demonstrate capabilities thatcould be used in conflict. From myperspective as a space policy analyst, India’sspace activities, combined with its escalatingtensions with Pakistan, contribute toincreasing regional tension.

India continues to feel pressure from itsChinese neighbor. Following China’s anti-satellite test in 2008, India begandevelopment of its own space weapons. InMarch 2019, India successfully tested ananti-satellite weapon: a missile, launchedfrom the ground, that destroyed one of its

own satellites in low Earth orbit. Likeprevious anti-satellite tests performed bythe U.S., Russia and China, there wereimmediate concerns about debris. Despitethis, India clearly intended to send amessage to China and others, signalingtheir ability to not only protect their ownsatellites but destroy threatening Chineseones as well.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/indian-moon-probe%E2%80%99s-failure-won%E2%80%99t-stop-asian-space-race-threatens-regional-security-79351

Be proud of Chandrayaan-2:Rakesh SharmaThe Hindu, September 14, 2019

India can be proud of what it has achievedwith the Chandrayaan-2 mission, despitethe problems encountered with the Vikramlander, Wing Commander (Retd) RakeshSharma, India’s first man in space, saidon Friday.

“I think it was a wonderful mission. It hadthe entire nation riveted. I myself went tobed at four in the morning. I think we areall very proud that we’ve achieved whatwe’ve achieved,” Mr. Sharma said on thesidelines of the fifth A.P.J. Abdul KalamLecture organised by the Indian Instituteof Space Science and Technology (IIST)here.

“Things not coming through fully, well,that’s part of any research anddevelopment activity. So that’s par for thecourse. We are on the learning curve,” Mr.Sharma told reporters here.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/be-proud-of-chandrayaan-2-rakesh-sharma/article29411771.ece

Has Chandrayaan 2’s VikramLander setback affected India’smoon mission?Madhumathi D.S., The Hindu, September15, 2019

Chandrayaan 2, comprising an orbiter, alander and a rover, journeyed from earthfor eight days and reached the moon’s

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vicinity on August 20. On September 2, thelander riding on the orbiter was separatedand got into a closer orbit around the moon,moving pole-to-pole at a distance of 35 kmx 100 km.

Mission planners at ISRO had divided thelast critical 15-minute parabolic descent intofour smaller phases. At 1.38 a.m. IST onSeptember 7, the lander perfectly cleared the‘rough braking phase’, swooping downfrom 30 km to 7.4 km of the lunar surface in10 minutes. Its velocity had dropped asrequired from 1,640 metres a second to about400 metres a second.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/bengaluru-we-have-a-problem/article29418567.ece

China

China’s nuclear capabilitiesmaturingAaron Tu, Jake Chung, Taipei Times,September 1, 2019

The Chinese armed forces could soon havefull-fledged “tactical nuclear power” tocounter any major nuclear-armed nation,according to the Ministry of NationalDefense’s People’s Liberation Army Reportfor this year. Such capabilities could allowChina to attain its strategic goals of endingcalls for independence within and outsideof its borders; combating hegemony;establishing control of its border with India;and stabilizing its frontiers, said the report,which was delivered to the Legislative Yuanyesterday.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)could by next year establish an arsenal oftactical nuclear weapons sizeable andpowerful enough to deter a nuclear war andprotect China’s borders, it said. By 2050,China could complete the infrastructurenecessary to launch nuclear-armed aircraftfor strategic bombing, it added. The reportalso maintained a theory from last year’sedition that the PLA could concludepreparations to invade Taiwan by next year,but has limited ability to capture it due togeographical and equipment challenges.Beijing stands by its “one China” principleand refuses to acknowledge any form of “one

China, one Taiwan” or that Taiwan is anindependent and sovereign nation, thereport said. China has not abandoned theoption of annexing Taiwan by force andits actions have posed an ever-increasingthreat to Taiwan’s military, it said. Chinaremains dedicated to funding upgradesfor its attack helicopters and armoredvehicles, as well as developing the JL-3intercontinental ballistic missile and otherlong-range submarine-launched missiles,it added.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2019/08/31/2003721435

Navy sends its most capablecombat ship on escort missionChina Daily, September 10, 2019

One of the most moving episodes in theChinese blockbuster Wolf Warrior 2 is theone in which the captain of a Type 052Dguided-missile destroyer shouts “Fire!” toorder the launch of supersonic cruisemissiles to hit rebel troops in an imaginaryAfrican nation holding Chinese hostages.However, this scenario could not havehappened in real life because in the Gulfof Aden there have been no Type 052Ddestroyers

ÿnow considered the most capable combatship in the People’s Liberation ArmyNavy. Instead, the Navy has sent othervessels to the once pirate-plagued watersto protect civilian vessels for nearly 11years.

That is about to change, as the Navy hasdecided to dispatch a Type 052D to takepart in its latest escort mission. The CNSXining, the fifth in the Type 052D class, issailing toward the Gulf of Aden. TheXining, with the number 117 on its hull,was commissioned in January 2017. It ispart of the PLA Navy’s 33rd escort flotilla,together with CNS Weifang, a Type 054Aguided-missile frigate and CNS Hoh XilHu, a Type 903A supply ship. All of theships belong to the naval force of the PLANorthern Theater Command, known asthe North Sea Fleet. The flotilla set sail froma naval base in Qingdao, Shandong

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province, on Aug 29. It will travel at least11,000 kilometers before reaching the Gulfof Aden in the next two weeks. The Navybegan to carry out escort missions in the Gulfof Aden and the waters off Somalia inDecember 2008. In the past decade, it hassent 106 ships and more than 28,000 navalpersonnel to escort at least 6,700 Chineseand foreign ships, according to the Navy.

http://eng.mod.gov.cn/news/2019-09/10/content_4850137.htm 

Domestic arms key to deterrence planJason Pan, Taipei times, September 12, 2019

The Ministry of National Defense’s annualNational Defense Report, released yesterday,outlines the capability of domestic weapons,Taiwan’s increasing role in regional securityand strategies for countering the continualthreat of China’s military. The main themeof the report is the military as a “defenderof peace,” as it joins with Australia, Japan,South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore andThailand in promoting the US’ Indo-Pacificstrategy. The nation’s indigenous defenseindustry has greatly evolved since PresidentTsai Ing-wen took office, ministryspokesman Shih Shun-wen told a newsconference in Taipei. The industry’sadvancement has sustained existing projectsand initiated new programs, including themanufacture of precision-fire missiles,unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armoredpersonnel carriers, Tuo Jiang-class guided-missile corvettes and submarines, the reportsaid. “The main military threat still comesfrom China, as its top leaders have notrenounced the use of force to invade Taiwan,have spent a substantial portion of thenational budget on increasing its militarystrength and moved to quickly modernizeits armed forces. 

The report was released with a summarized,comic book version that targets the youngergeneration so that the public can understandthe nation’s defense programs and militarystrategies. For the first time, the reportpresents new coastal defense plans to repela force invading across the Taiwan Strait.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2019/09/12/2003722125 

Pakistan

What Exactly Did Pakistan’s PrimeMinister Say About the Country’sNuclear Weapons?Ankit Panda, The Diplomat, September 3,2019

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan,speaking on Monday, caused a bit of a stirwith comments that were initially reportedas a pledge by Islamabad to not use itsnuclear weapons first in any conflict withIndia. That’s at least how it was reportedby Reuters India, which headlined itsstory: “Pakistan would not use nuclearweapons first, amid tensions with India:PM Imran Khan.”

That was an attention-grabbing headline.If Khan had said something to that effect,it would have represented a recalibrationof standing Pakistani nuclear weaponspolicy for more than two decades. To detera conventionally superior India, Pakistanhad long relied on the first-use of nuclearweapons. Beginning in the late-2000s,Islamabad lowered the nuclear-usethreshold in South Asia even lower byintroducing low-yield nuclear weaponsfor battlefield use. The problem here wasthat Khan didn’t exactly revisit Pakistaninuclear policy.

https://thediplomat.com/2019/09/what-exactly-did-pakistans-prime-minister-say-about-the-countrys-nuclear-weapons/

The dangers of calling Pakistan’s‘nuclear bluff’Inam UL Haque, The Express Tribune,September 3, 2019

Military strategists and planners talk withresponsibility and maturity when the issueis nuclear weapons. In one of my previousarticles, Back from the Brink of War withIndia: Key Takeaways for Pakistan,published on April 3, 2019, in this space,it was highlighted that decision-makers inthe Indo-Pak context are forced to takepopular and unwise decisions with the“decision space collapsing”. This isextremely dangerous for India and

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Pakistan, as they sit on a nuclear tinderbox.This piece discusses the pitfalls of nucleardecision-making and challenges someacademic notions.

Strategic and military decision-making isscience. However, in the Indo-Pak context,the ferocity of public sentiment and the ever-escalating passions make rational decision-making a tough call. After the media-generated jingoism after the Pulwama attackin February 2019, it was felt that Indiandecision-makers under BJP and PM Modi,and duly supported by the everargumentative army of defence and securityanalysts, seem to genuinely believe theywould be able to browbeat Pakistan into the“new normal” on Kashmir and other issues,annexation being a planned sequel.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2047751/6-dangers-calling-pakistans-nuclear-bluff/

India’s nuclear postureNaveed Ahmad, The News International,September 4, 2019

Whenever the lid blows off the Kashmirpressure cooker, a tsunami of public fury willunleash itself. India knew it and sees it evenbetter now. If the curtain of fear falls andpeople take to the streets, the Indian militarywill take the trigger-happy course. Eitherway, strategists in India ponder as to howand when Pakistan responds. Islamabad hasrepeatedly warned the world of a nuclearwar.

Around the same time came the sternreminder from Prime Minister Imran Khan,“Whether the world joins us or not, Pakistanwill go to any lengths and its people willsupport [Kashmiris] till their last breath.”

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/521805-india-s-nuclear-posture

Pakistan most dangerous country inthe world: Ex-US defense secyJames MattisIndia Today, September 4, 2019

Formal US Defence secretary James Mattishas said that he considers Pakistan as themost dangerous country in the world. He

further said that Pakistani society is highlyradicalized and its growing nucleararsenal is a growing concern. Itsleadership does not care about its people.

https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/india-first/video/pakistan-most-dangerous-country-in-the-world-ex-us-defense-secy-james-mattis-indian-astronauts-to-train-in-russia-more-1595589-2019-09-04

Divide and bleedF.S. Aijazuddin, Dawn, September 05,2019

In the past few weeks, there has been acurious inversion of postures in New Delhiand in Islamabad. Indian defence ministerRajnath Singh hinted broadly (the breadthof a nuclear warhead) that India willreconsider its nuclear strike option. It isprepared to strike first. Prime MinisterImran Khan has said that Pakistan won’tinitiate a military conflict. The commonman is finding it hard to distinguishbetween peaceable hawks and aggressivedoves.

Anyone with sense knows that India andPakistan are not equals. They also admitthe truth that India cannot annex Pakistan.It does not need over 200 million moreungovernable Muslims. That is why in1971 it preferred the creation ofBangladesh rather than have a reunifiedBengal. And it cannot incinerate Pakistanin a nuclear conflict without singeing itself.Pakistan cannot compete indefinitely withIndia’s plans to improve its defencesuperiority. At best, Pakistan can use, asit has done in the past, operationalexpertise to correct the technicalimbalance.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1503647/divide-and-bleed

A nuclear flashpointDr N Elahi, The News International,September 8, 2019

After the arbitrary and unlawfulannexation of Kashmir by India, the riskof a nuclear war between India andPakistan is not a very distant possibility.

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Rather India has given two strong gesturesto make it clear that it intends to use nuclearweapons in a war against Pakistan.

First, India made it public that its firstdomestically built nuclear-poweredsubmarine had recently completed a“deterrence patrol”, giving it the capabilityto fire nuclear weapons from land, air andsea. This could be a message both forPakistan and China. China is equallyannoyed over the annexation of Laddakhon which it has a long-standing claim.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/523568-a-nuclear-flashpoint

Kashmir and Impending NuclearHolocaustAsif Durrani, Daily Times, September 9,2019

The former US President Bill Clintondescribed Kashmir as “nuclear flashpoint”after the Kargil mini-war between Pakistanand India. It happened at a time when bothIndia and Pakistan had become declaredNuclear Weapons States (NWS). It wasunprecedented in the post-World War-IIglobal scenario that the two nuclear powersdirectly challenged each other in such adangerous manner, except for the CubanMissile Crisis in 1962. The danger of warbetween India and Pakistan looms largeeven today as unresolved disputes, especiallyJammu and Kashmir, continue to hauntboth the states and any miscalculation oneither side may spell disaster not only forthe two countries but the entire world.

The above questions are not for the academicpurposes but call for practical steps toprotect the lives of innocent people whohave no say in policymaking. Similarly,innocent Kashmiris are facing completelockdown over a month now with no faultof theirs. They are being suppressed forraising voice for the right to self-determination, an inalienable right grantedto them under UN Security Council’sresolutions. The Hindutva leadership iscertainly following a suicidal course in theconduct of relations with Pakistan withoutrealizing that a war would not be a one-

sided affair as was evident when Pakistanretaliated immediately and decisively afterIndian attack at Balakot. It is time forleaders on both sides to reflect and savetheir people from the devastations of war.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/463072/kashmir-and-impending-nuclear-holocaust/

Going ballistic: Why Imran Khan’snuclear threat is a sign ofPakistani impotenceRakesh Krishnan Simha, Business Today,September 9, 2019

Powerless to do anything after Indiarevoked Article 370 and turned Jammu &Kashmir into a union territory, thePakistani political-military leadership hasbeen reduced to firing rockets on Twitter,trying to storm the Indian embassy inLondon, and issuing threats of nuclearwar.

What’s ironic is the Pakistan Army (whichhas 600,000 soldiers) urging Pashtuns tofight in Kashmir. A clash with India wouldbe too much for the corrupt generals ofthe Pakistan Army. The conqueror ofcorner plots doesn’t have the cojones tofight the powerful Indian Army. Havinglost all four previous wars against India,the actual war would be well outside theircomfort zone.

https://www.businesstoday.in/opinion/columns/pakistan-nuclear-threat-war-imran-khan-pakistani-army-india-article-370-jammu-and-kashmir-narendra-modi/story/377963.html

‘Good Lord help us’Tauseef Ahmed Khan, Daily Times,September 13, 2019

Over the past one year especially and fromtwo and half years in general our seriousnational issues are now prime target offlagrant and comical statements. But itwas never expected that our nuclearprogram and doctrine which is the mostcrucial part of our security and strategicapparatus will be discussed through suchmirthful statements.

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We must know what’s Pakistan’s nucleardoctrine which is not changed according tospokesperson and why foreign office is inpanic to give clarifications on PM’sstatements about nuclear deterrence. PM’sstatement was headline of all papers that incase of Indo-Pak conflict we are not goingto use nuclear weapons first. As we knowfrom years, India’s declared nuclear doctrinein case of conflict with Pakistan is not tostrike first with nuclear bomb. Pakistan alsohave declared nuclear doctrine from yearsthat we have established certain levels ofnational forbearance. one is internal level.If India will cross that level(attack inPakistani territory and its installations orbuildings with conventional orunconventional force or crossing ofinternational border with conventionalforce) then we can use nuclear weapon. Wehave our economic threshold too: if Indiawill stop or divert our river water or in caseof naval blockade then we can also usenuclear bomb. These few points areconsidered our declared “nuclear doctrine”.Now according to PM’s statement it seemsthis old doctrine has been changed with “notto strike first” nuclear doctrine.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/465089/good-lord-help-us/

USA

Forget Russia: America Nearly BuiltIts Own ‘Skyfall’ Nuclear PoweredCruise MissileSebastien Roblin, National Interest Blog,September 1, 2019

After days of speculation by Westernanalysts that a deadly accident on August 8that briefly spiked radiation levels innorthwestern Russia was tied to tests of anexotic nuclear-powered “Skyfall” nuclear-powered cruise missile, Russian sourcesconfirmed to the New York Times theexplosion of a “small nuclear reactor.”

While there’s a tactical rationale behindRussia’s development of a fast, surface-skimming cruise missile with an unlimitedrange as a means of bypassing Americanmissile defenses, it strikes many analysts as

an inordinately expensive, extremelytechnically challenging, and—evidently!—downright unsafe.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/forget-russia-america-nearly-built-its-own-skyfall-nuclear-powered-cruise-missile-77226

The Secret History of the Push toStrike IranRonen Bergman and Mark Mazzetti, TheNew York Times, September 4, 2019

In July of 2017, the White House was at acrossroads on the question of Iran.President Trump had made a campaignpledge to leave the “terrible” nuclear dealthat President Barack Obama negotiatedwith Tehran, but prominent members ofTrump’s cabinet spent the early monthsof the administration pushing themercurial president to negotiate a strongeragreement rather than scotch the dealentirely. Thus far, the forces for negotiationhad prevailed.

But counterforces were also at work.Stephen K. Bannon, then still an influentialadviser to the president, turned to JohnBolton to draw up a new Iran strategy thatwould, as its first act, abrogate the Irandeal. Bolton, a Fox News commentator andformer ambassador to the United Nations,had no official role in the administrationas of yet, but Bannon saw him as anoutside voice that could stiffen Trump’sspine — a kind of back channel to thepresident who could convince Trump thathis Iran policy was adrift.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/maga-zine/iran-strike-israel-america.html

Can President Trump ReallyTweet A Highly ClassifiedSatellite Photo? Yep, He CanGeoff Brumfiel, National Public Radio,September 5, 2019

The first thing Melissa Hanham did whenshe saw President Trump’s tweet last weekwas take a screen grab. “My reaction wasto immediately save the image to myphone just in case it got taken down,” she

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says. The wording on the tweet was cryptic:“The United States of America was notinvolved in the catastrophic accident duringfinal launch preparations for the Safir [spacelaunch vehicle] Launch at Semnan LaunchSite One in Iran,” the president said. “I wishIran best wishes and good luck indetermining what happened at Site One.”

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/05/758038714/can-president-trump-really-tweet-a-highly-classified-satellite-photo-yep-he-can

After Trump, the United StatesShould Return to Obama’s Iran DealEdoardo Saravalle, Foreign Policy, September10, 2019

The narrowing of the field for the 2020 U.S.Democratic Party presidential nominationhas thrown the contenders’ policydifferences into sharp relief. Nearly everycandidate set to take the debate stageThursday, however, agrees on at least onething: The United States should reenter theIran nuclear deal. But none of them havefully explained how they intend do so.

The accord, from which U.S. PresidentDonald Trump withdrew in 2018, containeda complicated mix of U.S. and Iraniancommitments—which means the preciseway in which the United States might chooseto rejoin matters just as much as the will todo so. Getting these nuts and bolts rightwould solidify the deal, lay the groundworkfor progress to follow, and free up a newadministration to pursue new foreign-policypriorities.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/10/after-trump-the-united-states-should-return-to-obamas-iran-deal/

Why Trump shouldn’t run the NorthKorea playbook on IranWesley Rahn, Deutsche Welle, September 13,2019

US President Donald Trump calls hisadministration’s strategy for keepingnuclear weapons away from Iran andcontaining a nuclear North Korea

“maximum pressure” — a tough-talking,sanction-heavy policy designed to forceadversaries into compliance.

Trump’s former National Security AdviserJohn Bolton was a primary architect ofmaximum pressure. After his ousterearlier this week, there have been reportsthat Bolton was fired for his ultra-hawkishstance on Iran and North Korea.

https://www.dw.com/en/why-trump-shouldnt-run-the-north-korea-playbook-on-iran/a-50414607

Russia

Russia’s Delta-Class MissileSubmarines: One the Best SubsEver?Robert Farley, National Interest Blog,September 7, 2019

The Soviet Union appreciated the need fora sea-based deterrent from an early pointin the Cold War. The Soviet leadershipworried that American superiority indelivery systems (initially in both numbersand accuracy) would render it vulnerableto a decapitating first strike, and moregenerally to nuclear blackmail.Accordingly, the USSR beganexperimenting with submarines equippedwith strategic nuclear weapons in the mid-1950s. But technical problems made itdifficult to make achievements. Generallyspeaking, the Soviets found themselves afew years behind the Americans in bothsubmarine and missile technology.

In any case, arms control agreements withthe United States, the end of the Cold War,and the collapse of the Russian economymade it impossible to maintain such a largefleet of boomers. The last Delta I left servicein 1998, with the Delta IIsdecommissioning at around the same time.The Delta III and Delta IV classes wouldremain the core of the Russian nucleardeterrent well into the twenty-firstcentury, however. Due to the highoperating cost of the Typhoon class subs,several Delta IIIs were refueled and kept

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in service into the 2010s, although the lastnow appears to have left service.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-delta-class-missile-submarines-one-best-subs-ever-78701

This Nuclear Submarine FreaksRussia Out: Meet the Astute-Class(Not American)Robert Farley, National Interest Blog,September 10, 2019

Key Point: The Astutes are among the mostformidable submarines in the world, andcertainly pose a major threat to any Russiandesigns on the North Atlantic or the Arctic.

Since the commissioning of HMSDreadnought in 1963, the Royal Navy hasmaintained a formidable force of nuclearattack submarines. Indeed, HMS Conqueroris the only nuclear attack submarine (SSN)to ever sink an enemy warship in anger. Butthe Royal Navy has undergone atransformational crisis over the past decade,shrinking in size and changing incomposition. The latest nuclear attack subs,the Astute class, have become a criticalcomponent of the future of the RoyalNavy—but, given Russia’s resurgence, arethey enough?

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/nuclear-submarine-freaks-russia-out-meet-astute-class-not-american-79306

Will Venezuela Become a RussianMissile Base?Michael Peck, National Interest Blog,September 13, 2019

With the United States developing a newgeneration of cruise missiles in response toalleged Russian arms control violations, aresponse from Moscow was inevitable.

But Russian missiles in Venezuela? That’swhat some Russian commentators arecalling for in retaliation for the Trumpadministration withdrawing from theIntermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF)Treaty. The Pentagon has already tested anew ground-launched cruise missile with a

range of 500 kilometers (311 miles), whichexceeds INF Treaty limits.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/will-venezuela-become-russian-missile-base-80561

West Asia

Trump Solving the Iran CrisisRequires A “Deal of the Century”Shahed Ghoreishi, The National Interest.September 2, 2019    

With Tehran Washington needs to realizethe positive ramifications that could onlycome after thorough innovative, high-leveldiplomacy with Iran.  by ShahedGhoreishi On August 13, Iran’s SupremeLeader Ayatollah Khamenei met withHouthi representatives in Tehran in whatwas a rare overt display of support. Sincethe Yemeni civil war began in 2015, Iranhad kept the Houthis at arm’s length.However, recent divisions within theSaudi coalition and the Houthis’ successestablishing themselves in Yemen changedthe calculus. The public meeting was aclear sign of strengthening ties betweenIran and the Houthis in the face of adivided adversary.  Yemen isn’t the onlyunstable nation-state in the region wherethe Iranians have gained major leverage.From Beirut to Kabul, Iran has managedto become a player of increasingsignificance. This is why it is as critical asever for the United States to move beyondits animosity with Iran and move towardshigh-level diplomacy—regional alliesincluded—in order to stabilize the regionenough for the United States to be able toend its forever wars. The nuclear deal andthe immediate need to deescalate tensionsin the Persian Gulf should just be thebeginning—not the ultimate goal. At theend of the day, Iran’s regional role isessential to the United States pivotingaway from the region and turning itsattention to more pressing global mattersbetter aligned with its actual interests. 

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/solving-iran-crisis-requires-deal-century-tehran-77271  

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Iran Says Its Cruise Missiles AreBetter Than America’s. That can’t betrue? Can it?Michael Peck, The National Interest,September 6, 2019

The newest Iranian weapon, the Mobin, wasdisplayed at the MAKS 2019 defense tradeshow in Russia in August. The cruise missilehas a range of 450 kilometers (280 miles), aspeed of 900 kilometers (560 miles) per hour,and a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet. Italso features a warhead of up to 120kilograms (265 pounds) and has a “lowradar cross-section and high radar-evadingcapability,” according to Iran’s Fars NewsAgency.

In February, Iran unveiled the longer-rangeHoveizeh cruise missile. “The range of theHoveizeh missile is over 1,350 kilometers[840 miles] and it is good for targetingground targets,” said Iran’s DefenseMinister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami.

“The Hoveizeh ground-to-ground cruisemissile has been test-fired in a 1,200-kilometer [745 mile] range and it managedto precisely hit the specified target,” Hatamialso said.

Hatami “mentioned rapid reaction, lowflight altitude, high precision in navigationand high destruction power as among themain features of the missile,” said Fars News.

Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister, BrigadierGeneral Qassem Taqizadeh, also claimed lastweek that Iran’s cruise missiles were moreaccurate than America’s. Taqizadeh saidIranian cruise missiles “enjoyed higherprecision-striking power than the U.S-.madeones,” according to Fars News.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/iran-says-its-cruise-missiles-are-better-america%E2%80%99s-78681

Maximum Pressure on Iran HasFailedPaul R. Pillar, The National Interest,September 14, 2019

It is a sure sign that the Trumpadministration’s campaign to squeeze Iran

into submission is a failure when those whocustomarily favor pressuring Iranacknowledge that failure. Take what hasbecome the administration’s go-torationale for the campaign in the face ofother evidence that it is not working: theclaim that U.S. sanctions have undercutIran’s “malign” activity in the Middle Eastby reducing the funds available for suchactivity. In a recent op-ed, Dennis Rossand Dana Stroul of the WashingtonInstitute for Near East Policy debunk thisnotion by describing how and why afinancial pinch on Iran does not translateinto retrenchment in Iranian regionalactivity. 

In Syria, for example, Iranian-backedmilitias “may be suffering from salary cuts,but less take-home pay has not led to areduction in violence.” The same patternof reduced cash not leading to reducedarmed activity is seen with Hezbollah inLebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Andalthough the administration has tried tohighlight reductions in Iran’s militarybudget, assertive Iranian activity in thePersian Gulf such as sabotage or theseizure of foreign tankers has gone up, notdown, since the start of theadministration’s pressure campaign. Inshort, Ross and Stroul accurately observe,Iran does what it does in the region “onthe cheap.” Its regional activity is notdetermined by the balance in its bankaccount.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/paul-pillar/maximum-pressure-iran-has-failed-80611

Watch Out: Iran Has a New “Kia”Spy Drone. But how good is it?The National Interest, September 13, 2019  

Iran has unveiled the Kia high-precisiondrone that can locate and attack targetsfar from the country’s borders, accordingto officials. Al Jazeera News reports.Iranian Brig. Gen. Alireza Sabahifarddisplayed the unmanned aerial vehicle(unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)) at aceremony in the capital, Tehran, saying itcan fly more than 620 miles and climb toan altitude of 16,000 feet, according tostate media.The jet-propelled drone comes

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in two models capable of surveillance andreconnaissance missions and continuousflight for precision missions.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/watch-out-iran-has-new-kia-spy-drone-80506

East Asia

Japan

Japan-Russia talks on peace treaty,Northern Territories have whiff offutilityMainichi Japan, September 6, 2019 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met for talks withRussian President Vladimir Putin on Sept. 5on the sidelines of the Eastern EconomicForum in Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East.The last time they spoke face-to-face abouthammering out a formal peace treaty wasin Osaka in June, though there was noprogress to be seen then. The two leaders’most recent tete-a-tete, too, seems to haveproduced no decisive movement, resultingin only a commitment to “working with aforward-facing attitude.” The former SovietUnion launched hostilities against Japan inthe dying days of World War II, and nopeace treaty was signed between the twocountries in the ensuing decades.

The issue that must be resolved before apeace treaty can be signed is the fate of theNorthern Territories, a clutch of islands justoff the coast of the northernmost prefectureof Hokkaido. Seized by the Soviets in 1945,the islands remain under Russian control butare claimed by Japan — and Abe and Putindo not see eye-to-eye on their return toJapanese sovereignty. The pair’s Vladivostoktalks did nothing to change this. In fact,circumstances surrounding to bilateralterritorial talks are getting rougher, whichforces us to ask: Is the government even ableto sketch out a concrete resolution to thisprocess?

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190906/p2a/00m/0na/010000c 

Put state in charge of TEPCO’s planfor reactor restarts

The Asahi Shimbun, September 10, 2019 at15:45 JST

Tokyo Electric Power Co. has indicated itmay decommission at least one aging idlereactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclearpower plant in Niigata Prefecture if it canrestart two new reactors at the site.TEPCO said it will start taking “stepswithin five years” that could result in thedecommissioning of one or more of the No.1 to No. 5 reactors after two newer andmore powerful reactors, the No. 6 and No.7 reactors, are brought back on stream. Thecompany, operator of the disaster-strickenFukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, hasbeen seeking to restart the two reactorsafter they passed safety screeningsimplemented by the Nuclear RegulationAuthority.

Masahiro Sakurai, the mayor ofKashiwazaki, home to the seven-reactorplant, has demanded that the utilitypresent a decommissioning plan for theother five reactors as a condition toagreeing to the restarts of the No. 6 andNo. 7 reactors. TEPCO’s announcementwas a response to Sakurai’s demand. Intouching on the possibility ofdecommissioning for the first time, TEPCOdid not go into specifics. Instead, theutility’s announcement seemed designedto put pressure on the city to allow the tworeactors to be restarted as an initial step.That is a baffling attitude.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201909100038.html 

North Korea

Uncertainty of nuclear talksKorea Times, September 9, 2019, Tong Kim

The prospect of resuming nuclear talksbetween North Korea and the UnitedStates does not look good. Washingtonsays it is ready to negotiate withPyongyang on a working-level wheneverthey are ready. Two month ago, Trumpsaid after his meeting with Kim Jong-unat Panmunjeom that Kim had agreed tohold working-level talks “in a few weeks.”The United States is still waiting to hear

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from the North on when or whether theywill return to the table. A possible venue forsuch talks can be determined after the dateis set. For logistical considerations (includingtravel cost), the North may preferPanmunjeom for the talks. The problem isthe North is not ready.

In April, the North Korean leader set adeadline by the end of 2019 to wait and see“if the U.S. changes its method ofcalculation,” a proposition that the U.S.drops its position seeking an early big dealby which the North would denuclearize firstin return for consequent sanctions relief andsecurity guarantees. The big deal attemptwas rejected and failed in Hanoi. But,Washington has not produced atransformed version of its negotiatingstrategy. The North is waiting to hear thatthe U.S. will accommodate the North Koreanproposal for a phased process withreciprocal, corresponding measures towardthe end state of “completedenuclearization.” In the meantime, theNorth has conducted a series of provocativemissile launches to test newly developedshort-range ballistic missiles and long-rangemultiple rocket launchers, all capable ofstriking all of South Korea and western partsof Japan

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2019/09/137_275348.html

South Korea

Bombs and weather: Trump dropsanother oneJohn M. Crisp, Korea Times, September 10,2019

We have no shortage of serious global issuesto worry about, but nearly all of them aremade more threatening by the ominous,double-edged backdrop against which theyplay themselves out: nuclear weapons andclimate change. India and Pakistan are notthe first two countries to maintain a long-standing territorial dispute. Kim Jong-unisn’t the first megalomaniacal dictator tobluster himself onto the world stage. But theirreversible fact of nuclear weapons elevatesproblems such as these into crises of the first

order. Nor is Great Abaco the firstCaribbean island to be devastated by ahurricane. But it does represent anothersignificant piece of evidence that as theworld warms, the weather will becomemore extreme. We can expect strongerhurricanes, longer droughts in some areas,too much rainfall in others and asignificant disruption of the weather withconsequences that will be difficult tocontrol.

These two menacing factors ¯ nuclearweapons and climate change ¯ cametogether in a peculiar way last monthwhen Axios reported that PresidentDonald Trump has suggested multipletimes to senior Homeland Security officialsand national security officers that weexplore the possibility of using nuclearbombs to disrupt hurricanes before theyhit land. “Why can’t we do that?” Trumpreportedly asked. It’s an intriguing idea,and in fairness to Trump, he’s not the firstto suggest it. The Washington Post reportsthat just weeks after the atomic bombswere dropped on Hiroshima andNagasaki, the mayor of Miami Beach askedPresident Harry Truman to explore thepossibility of using a nuclear bomb todisrupt hurricanes that threatenbeachfront property. Scientists at the timequickly dismissed the idea, noting thatdropping a bomb on a hurricane couldhave unpredictable consequences,including making the storm worse.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/09/113_275422.html 

Beijing-Seoul ties after Xi’sPyongyang visitLee Seong-hyon, Korea Times, September17, 2019 

There are some qualitative differences inthe way China treats South Korea sinceChinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit toPyongyang. The visit to Pyongyang, whichtook place in late June, itself was asignificant event in Sino-North Korea ties;China signified it was raising its stake inthe geopolitical dividends of the NorthKorea nuclear matter. Interestingly,

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without any public announcement, China’sdealings with South Korea have since alsoshown a nuanced shift.

First, the Chinese side did not highlight theTHAAD issue in various academic andpolicy meetings between Seoul and Beijing.The majority of Chinese participants alsounderscored that the discord has yet to befully resolved. The Chinese side expressedconcerns over the possibility of additionalTHAAD battery deployment by Washingtonto U.S. military bases in South Korea.China’s new 2019 Defense White Paperincluded a clause about THAAD. “The U.S.has severely destroyed the strategic balanceof the region by deploying the THAADsystem in South Korea, and inflicted severedamage on the strategic security interests ofthe regional countries,” it said. To sum up,THAAD is still an important issue for China,but Beijing wants to improve ties with Seouland it doesn’t want THAAD to become anobstacle.

Second, China ratcheted up publiclyrecognizing and praising President MoonJae-in’s mediating role in the nuclear talksbetween the United States and North Korea.It is notable that the Chinese still praisedMoon for his steadfast peace outreach effortin transforming the Korean Peninsulasituation even during the recent negotiationimpasse. Chinese note that ‘With Xi Jinping’svisit to No rth Korea, relations betweenNorth Korea and China have entered a newhigh period. They also expressed hope thatthe ties between Seoul and Beijing could bealso further strengthened.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2019/09/137_275686.html 

Taiwan

Ian Easton On Taiwan: Why the USdefends TaiwanTaipei Times, September 16, 2019

For many Asia-watchers, one of the biggestsurprises of Donald Trump’s last two yearsand eight months in high office has been thathe hasn’t sold Taiwan out in return forChina’s help on North Korea, a trade deal,or just because it would make Xi Jinping

( ÒnÑ s^) happy. In fact, the opposite hasoccurred. The Trump White House hasarguably done more to help ensureTaiwan’s continued freedom andindependence from the People’s Republicof China (PRC) than any administrationin well over 40 years.

Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter,and Ronald Reagan cut deals with Beijingat the expense of Taipei. The result wasthe three US-PRC communiques. To theircredit, George W. Bush and BarackObama avoided the pitfall of signing afourth communique. However, bothpresidents were responsible for arms salesfreezes and sought to curry favor withChina by keeping Taiwan at a distance.

There were concerns that President Trumpmight follow in his predecessors’ footsteps,or worse. He has a track record of beingopenly critical of democratic allies andskeptical of burdensome defensecommitments. He’s prone to ignoreCongress, the intelligence community, andeven his own foreign policy advisors. He’sfamous for his unpredictable and ruthlessdealmaking, and he has demonstrated ahigh degree of tolerance for dictators likeChairman Xi. Indeed, at one point, Trumpreportedly challenged his advisors to tellhim why the US should defend Taiwan.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2019/09/16/2003722357 

P. Interview

Obama arms official: Nucleardeterrence must be strengthenedKenji Minemura, The Asahi Shimbun,September 10, 2019

Japanese optimism for nucleardisarmament has dwindled followingrecent events, including the ending of theIntermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.Their disappointment appears to becompounded because they held high hopeswhen U.S. President Barack Obamapledged to work toward a world withoutnuclear weapons. Frank Rose served asboth assistant secretary of state for armscontrol, verification and compliance as

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well as deputy assistant secretary of statefor space and defense policy under Obama.Now a senior fellow at the BrookingsInstitution, Rose was asked about recentdevelopments regarding nuclear weaponsunder the administration of U.S. PresidentDonald Trump.

Excerpts of the interview follow:

Q: Former President Obama won the NobelPeace Prize for seeking a world withoutnuclear weapons, but such a world has notmaterialized. As one of the Obamaadministration officials in charge of armscontrol, what are your thoughts on that?

Rose: The president said, “We’ve got to takepragmatic steps to create the conditions fora world without nuclear weapons.” But healso in the same speech said, “This may nothappen in my lifetime.” And secondly, “Aslong as nuclear weapons exist, the UnitedStates will maintain a safe, secure andeffective deterrent to protect the UnitedStates and our allies.” The Prague speechwas a very carefully crafted speech, butunfortunately, people read what theywanted to read into the speech.

Q: As the only people that had atomicbombs dropped on them, many Japanesehave been deeply disappointed just becausethey started to have hopes from the Obamaspeech. What’s your view on that?

A: The majority of the Japanese public is ofthe view we need to reduce and ultimatelyeliminate nuclear weapons. That said, Ithink fundamentally we misjudged thesecurity environment. What really drove thenuclear reductions in the 1990s was thecollapse of the Soviet Union and Russia’ssubsequent financial difficulties. China andRussia have done major modernizations oftheir nuclear forces. We need to be realistic.I think we have returned to an era of greatpower competition. We’re going to have tomanage that competition, especially withregards to nuclear weapons and otherstrategic capabilities.

Q: But as a nuclear superpower, shouldn’tthe United States play a leading role in

working toward reducing the number ofnuclear weapons in the world?

A: I think in the last 25 years, we’ve beentoo focused on reducing the numbers ofweapons and not on enhancing a stabledeterrence with the objective of preventingmiscalculations. My No. 1 priority ispreventing nuclear use. And if we don’treduce a single additional nuclear weapon,but we don’t have a nuclear detonation,that’s success.

Q: How do you assess the new nuclearposture review released by the Trumpadministration calling for strengtheningthe U.S. nuclear deterrent?

A: I don’t agree with the Trumpadministration on many issues, but oneissue I do agree with them is that we havereturned to great power competition withRussia and China. And to successfullydeter Russia and China in this new era,we need to modernize the U.S. strategicnuclear deterrent.

Q: How do you assess President Trump’spolicy toward North Korea?

A: There really was not much preparationfor these meetings (between Trump andNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un). I havea hard time seeing the North Koreansgiving up their nuclear weapons becausefundamentally it’s Kim Jong Un’s ultimateinsurance policy for regime survival.

Q: President Trump has frequentlyexpressed dissatisfaction with the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Can Japan continueto trust being under the U.S. nuclearumbrella?

A: If Japan were attacked by anothercountry, I believe the United States wouldmeet its commitments and obligations ofthe treaty. But the more you publicly callthose commitments into doubt, the lessweight they have over time. And that’s aconcern that I have.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201909100011.html 

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Imran Khan on ‘genocide’ inKashmir and possible war withIndiaAl Jazeera, September 14, 2019

It has been a year since the former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan becamePakistan’s prime minister. Khan’s campaignslogan was “Naya Pakistan” or “NewPakistan”, a reflection of his promises to turnthe country’s economy around and endcorruption. But the first year of hispremiership has not gone as smoothly as hemay have hoped or even expected, especiallyin terms of the economy. The Pakistani rupeehas lost 35 percent of its value during histime in office. Khan’s critics call him theprime minister of u-turns, as he has beenforced to go back on many of his campaignpledges in an attempt to rescue the situation.

“I’m glad they say I’m a prime minister ofu-turns. Only an idiot doesn’t do any u-turns,” Khan tells Al Jazeera. “Only amoron, when he’s on a course and he comesacross a brick wall, only that stupid idiotkeeps banging his head against a brick wall.An intelligent person immediately revises hisstrategy and goes around it.” But have anyof these “u-turns” had a positive impact onthe country? In terms of foreign affairs,Pakistan is closer than ever to its neighbour,China. But relations with its otherneighbour, India, are at a new low. Askedwhether these two nuclear countries are atrisk of another major conflict, or even war,Khan tells Al Jazeera he “absolutely”believes war with India could be apossibility.

“Eight million Muslims in Kashmir areunder siege for almost now six weeks. Andwhy this can become a flashpoint betweenIndia and Pakistan is because what wealready know India is trying to do is divertattention from their illegal annexation andtheir impending genocide on Kashmir,” hesays. “They are taking the attention awayby blaming Pakistan for terrorism.”“Pakistan would never start a war, and Iam clear: I am a pacifist, I am anti-war, Ibelieve that wars do not solve anyproblems,” he says. But, he adds: “When twonuclear-armed countries fight, if they fight

a conventional war, there is everypossibility that it is going to end up intonuclear war. The unthinkable.” “If sayPakistan, God forbid, we are fighting aconventional war, we are losing, and if acountry is stuck between the choice: eitheryou surrender or you fight ‘til death foryour freedom, I know Pakistanis will fightto death for their freedom. So when anuclear-armed country fights to the end,to the death, it has consequences.”

“So that’s why we have approached theUnited Nations, we are approaching everyinternational forum, that they must actright now because this is a potentialdisaster that would go way beyond theIndian subcontinent.” Until recently,Pakistan had made attempts to opendialogue with India “to live as civilisedneighbours, to resolve our difference [overKashmir] ... through a politicalsettlement”, but according to Khan, thisis no longer the case. “We discovered thatwhile we were trying to have dialogue, theywere trying to push us in the blacklist inFATF [Financial Action Task Force] ... IfPakistan is pushed into the blacklist ofFATF that means there will be sanctionson Pakistan. So they were trying tobankrupt us economically, so that’s whenwe pulled back. And that’s when werealised that this government is on anagenda ... to push Pakistan to disaster,”says Khan.

“There is no question of talking to theIndian government right now after theyrevoked this article 370 of their ownconstitution and they annexed Kashmirillegally against the UN Security Councilresolution which had guaranteed thepeople that they would be able to hold areferendum, a plebiscite, to decide theirdestiny.” Khan has not only faced criticismabout the country’s ailing economy andhis u-turns. Civil rights acitivists andjournalists are saying that the space fordissent and freedom of expression hasshrunk and that there was a crackdownagainst the media since he took office.“This is utter and utter nonsense,” Khansays. “Pakistan is one of the freest placesin the world in media .... the freedom that

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journalists have in this country isunprecedented.” Asked about hisgovernment’s achievements after its firstyear in office, Khan says: “We are alreadyin a new Pakistan ... This government hasdone things which no government has donebefore. But, as they say, Rome was not builtin a day. When you start making thesemassive changes, reforms, it takes time. Thetime to judge a government is five years ...The first year was the most difficult period,but from now onwards people will startseeing the difference ... the direction of thecountry is now right.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2019/09/imran-khan-genocide-kashmir-war-india-190913134545416.html

War b/w two nuclear statesPakistan, India to affect wholeWorld: Dr. FirdousRadio Pakistan, September 15, 2019

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister onInformation and Broadcasting Dr FirdousAshiq Awan has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is taking steps to improvelife of common man by introducingprogrammes like Ehsas and Sehat InsafCards. Talking to a private news channel,she said government is promoting export-oriented industry by taking ease of doingbusiness initiatives to restore confidence ofinvestors. She said today Pakistan is in safehands as civil and military leaderships areon same page to steer the country out ofcrises.

She said reforms are being introduced innational institutions for better public servicesdelivery. Firdous said Jammu and Kashmiris a national issue and all opposition partiesshould join hands with government forexposing Indian human rights violations inoccupied Kashmir across the globe. She saidthe world powers like Russia and China aresupporting Pakistan’s stance. She said a warbetween the two nuclear states of South Asiawould affect the whole world. To aquestion, she said foreign ministers of UnitedArab Emirates and Saudi Arabia had visitedPakistan and asked India to lift curfew inthe occupied valley.

https://www.radio.gov.pk/15-09-2019/war-between-two-nuclear-states-to-affect-the-whole-world-dr-firdous

Q. Think Tanks

What Happens If the Last NuclearArms Control Treaty Expires?Pranay Vaddi, Nicholas Blanchette, GarrettHinck

Carnegie Endowment for InternationalPeace, September 05, 2019

WHAT IS NEW START?

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty(New START) is an agreement betweenthe United States and Russia that limitscertain nuclear weapons. It caps eachcountry at the lowest levels of deployedlong-range nuclear forces since early in theCold War. These are nuclear weaponsready to be used on delivery systems(missiles and bombers) that can reachtargets a continent away. Confused aboutNew START and the INF Treaty? Explorethe key differences below.

WHY DID BOTH COUNTRIES SIGN UP?

The treaty entered into force in 2011. Thethen president Barack Obama’sadministration successfully negotiated it asa follow-on to the original START Treaty,which was in effect from 1994 to 2009. Theolder START Treaty had expired withouta replacement. Neither Russia nor theUnited States were carrying out START-related inspections and notificationsduring this gap between the agreements,so each country lost valuable insight intothe other’s nuclear forces.

Moscow and Washington both wantedprovisions that allowed them to be flexiblein the make-up of their nuclear arsenals,to inspect each other’s nuclear bases, andto limit either side’s ability to cheat andbuild a secret force of weapons to breakout from the treaty. These provisionsprovided transparency into each side’snuclear operations and thereby reducedat least one major source of potentialinstability between them.

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https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/09/05/what-happens-if-last-nuclear-arms-control-treaty-expires-pub-79782

The Last Nuclear Arms TreatyPranay Vaddi, Nicholas Blanchette, andGarrett Hinck

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,September 05, 2019

Why New START Matters

New START is the only nuclear arms controltreaty left between the United States andRussia. But it expires on February 5, 2021,unless extended by up to five years. Withoutit, there will be no limits on—ortransparency into—the size andcomposition of the U.S. and Russian nucleararsenals.

https://carnegieendowment.org/publications/interactive/new-start

A Commonsense Policy forAvoiding a Disastrous NuclearDecisionJames A. Winnefeld, Carnegie Endowment forInternational Peace, September 10, 2019

Stable nuclear deterrence relies on theimpossibility of one nation being able tosuccessfully conduct a preemptive nuclearfirst strike on another. To this end, theUnited States has developed the capabilityto be able to respond while it is under attack,before the bulk of its nuclear forces, theircommand-and-control system, and even thepresident are destroyed. But the intense timepressure involved in accurately diagnosing,and then ordering and executing a responseto a nuclear attack, could easily backfirecatastrophically. Specifically, the timepressure inherent in this launch-under-attack approach creates two unacceptablerisks: that the president might fail to respondto a real attack, or that he or she might ordera nuclear response to a false warning. Toaddress these risks, the president should beable to order a delayed response—an optionI call “decide under attack.”

The United States fields three long-rangenuclear strike capabilities, known as the

triad. Intercontinental ballistic missiles(ICBMs) are the quickest-reacting leg,submarine-launched ballistic missiles(SLBMs) the most survivable, and bombersthe most flexible leg. The triad is thefoundation for strategic stability, becauseall three legs cannot be destroyed at once. 

https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/09/10/commonsense-policy-for-avoiding-disastrous-nuclear-decision-pub-79799

India’s Space Power: Revisitingthe Anti-Satellite TestShounak Set, Carnegie Endowment forInternational Peace, September 6, 2019

Against the backdrop of former U.S.president Ronald Reagan’s Star Warsprogram, Satish Dhawan, a pioneer of theIndian space program, observed that timewould tell whether Indian activities inspace would remain exclusively civilianand pacifist.1 Around three decades later,on March 27, 2019, Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi surprised the world withhis announcement that India had becomethe fourth country to conduct an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test (after theUnited States, Russia, and China). The teston March 27 was preceded by anunsuccessful one in February; but thatdoesn’t eclipse the significance of theexercise. Only three publicly recordedASAT tests have been conducted since theend of the Cold War, and, arguably (thepossession of latent capabilitiesnotwithstanding), it is the actual testingof a technology that represents a salienttransformation in a country’s capabilities.

Dubbed “Mission Shakti” (shakti denotes“power” in Sanskrit), the test entailedlaunching a ballistic missile into outerspace to destroy an Indian satellite locatedabout 300 kilometers above the earth’ssurface, in low earth orbit (LEO)—whichranges between 80 kilometers and 2,400kilometers above the earth’s surface,depending on contrasting definitions. Thedirect-ascent missile destroyed the satellitekinetically, in under three minutes, by thesheer impact of the collision rather than awarhead-induced explosion. India

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reportedly adapted its missile defenseinterceptor, the Prithvi Defense VehicleMark-II, into an ASAT weapon, making itthe third country to demonstrate thecapability for a direct-ascent kinetickill.2 Though its technological antecedentshave been engendered through the ballisticmissile defense program since 2006, recentglobal and regional dynamics arguablycatalyzed Mission Shakti. The ineluctablequestions now revolve around the mission’sintentions, impact, utility, and potential nextsteps.

https://carnegieindia.org/2019/09/06/india-s-space-power-revisiting-anti-satellite-test-pub-79797

Original Documents and reports

China’s nuclear power developmentmaintains high-level safety: whitepaperXinhua, September 3, 2019

In 2000, 2004, 2010 and 2016, theInternational Atomic Energy Agencyconducted four comprehensive reviews ofChina’s nuclear and radiation safetyregulation, giving full recognition to China’sgood practices and experiences, the whitepaper said.

SAFE, EFFICIENT NUCLEAR POWERDEVELOPMENT

In accordance with the concept of multipleprotective barriers and defense-in-depth,and with the aim of ensuring that they arecompletely safe and reliable, China uses themost advanced technology and the moststringent standards for the development ofnuclear power, and strictly manages theentire life cycle of nuclear facilities fromsiting, design, construction, and operationto decommissioning. Since 1985, when thefirst nuclear power plant on the Chinesemainland, the Qinshan Nuclear PowerPlant, began construction, China hasadopted safe and reliable reactortechnology, and learned from theexperiences and lessons of major nuclearaccidents abroad to make safetyimprovements. After more than 30 years,China has achieved independent design,

construction and operational capability innuclear power, and entered a new stageof safe and efficient development.

China took the lead in the constructionand operation of the GW-class pressurizedwater reactor, AP1000, using advancedpassive safety systems, and the Europeanadvanced pressurized water reactor, EPR.The Hualong-1 nuclear reactor, a productof independent research anddevelopment, ranks among the highest inthe world in terms of safety design, thewhite paper said. By June 2019, China had47 nuclear power units in operation,ranking third in the world, and 11 nuclearpower units under construction, rankingfirst in the world.

The performance indicators of nuclearpower units are generally good. In thecomprehensive ranking of similar units ofthe World Association of NuclearOperators (WANO) in recent years,operating units in China have performedabove the world median for more than 80percent of the indicators, and havereached the world advanced level formore than 70 percent of the indicators. In2018, China led the world with 12operating units achieving full marks inWANO composite index, according to thewhite paper.

SAFE OPERATION OF OTHER KEYNUCLEAR FACILITIES

Based on its own strength and drawingon advanced international experience,China has designed and developedresearch reactors such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, fastreactors, small nuclear power reactors,molten salt reactors, and transmutationdevices, according to the white paper.Nineteen operating civil research reactorsand critical assemblies maintain safe andstable operation. “We have implementedthe strategy of a closed nuclear fuel cycleand gradually established a completenuclear fuel cycle system, includinguranium mining and metallurgy, uraniumconversion, uranium enrichment,processing of nuclear fuel elements, spentfuel reprocessing, and treatment and

Nuclear, Missile & Space Digest71

disposal of radioactive waste,” the whitepaper said. Eighteen civil nuclear fuel cyclefacilities and two low- and intermediate-level radioactive solid waste disposal siteshave a good safety record, according to thewhite paper.

CLASSIFICATION, SAFE DISPOSAL OFRADIOACTIVE WASTE

China implements radioactive wasteclassification: near-surface or medium-depthdisposal of low- and intermediate-levelradioactive waste in locations that meet therequirements of nuclear safety, and deepgeological disposal of high-level radioactivewaste in centralized locations, according tothe white paper. To ensure permanentsafety, nuclear facility operatingorganizations and radioactive wastedisposal organizations carry outminimization and decontamination ofradioactive waste in accordance with thelaw. All provinces and equivalentadministrative units have built urbanradioactive waste repositories forcentralized storage and proper disposal ofradioactive waste produced by nucleartechnology.

“We will continue to promote the safestorage and treatment of spent fuel, enhanceour capacity in the treatment and disposalof radioactive waste, carry out thedecommissioning and environmentalrestoration of uranium mining andmetallurgical facilities, and standardize theenvironmental management of waste rock,waste water, tailings and slag in uraniummining and metallurgy, so as to ensure thatradiation is maintained at safe levels,” thewhite paper said.

MARKEDLY IMPROVED SAFETY IN USEOF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

China implements dynamic management ofradioactive sources from cradle to grave, andbrings all source-related units into the scopeof government regulation, the white papersaid. “We have established a nationaldatabase for the management of nucleartechnology utilization, taken measures toenhance the safety of radioactive sources,realized the real-time online monitoring ofhigh-risk mobile sources, and improved the

safety level of nuclear technologyutilization,” the white paper said. As ofthis June, 142,607 radioactive sources and181,293 radiation-emitting devices were inuse in China, and a total of 73,070 unitswere engaged in the production, sale anduse of radioisotopes and radiation-emittingdevices.

One hundred percent of radioactivesources and radiation-emitting devices aresubject to licensing management, and 100percent of waste radioactive sources aresafely stored. The annual incidence ofradiation accidents from radioactivesources has continued to decline, from 6.2per 10,000 sources in the 1990s to less thanone per 10,000 sources at present, thelowest level in history, according to thewhite paper.

UPGRADED NUCLEAR SECURITY

China regards nuclear security as animportant protective screen for nuclearsafety and controls nuclear materials inaccordance with the strictest standards,according to the white paper. Nuclearpower plants, nuclear fuel cycle facilities,and radioactive source security systems arein line with international standards. Therules and regulations are sound andcomplete, and the mechanisms for non-proliferation and nuclear terrorismprevention are improving.

“We are building a nuclear security systemfor new nuclear facilities in accordancewith the latest international standards,and have invested billions of yuan inspecial funds to upgrade the securitysystem of the original nuclear facilities,thus greatly strengthening our preventioncapabilities,” the white paper said. To datethere have been no incidents of theft, lossor illegal use of nuclear materials,according to the white paper.

GOOD RADIATION ENVIRONMENTQUALITY

The radiation environment monitoringdata in China show that the radiationenvironment quality across the country iswithin the range of natural environmentalradiation, and the activity concentration

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levels of artificial radionuclides are normal.Surveillance monitoring data show thatradiation in the environment aroundnational nuclear facilities and nucleartechnology utilization projects has notchanged significantly compared with thelevel prior to construction, and theindividual public dose is far lower than thenational limit, according to the white paper.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/03/c_138360745.htm 

Update to OFAC’s list of SpeciallyDesignated Nationals (SDN) andBlocked PersonsUS Department of Treasury, September 13,2019

The SDN list has recently been updated. OFAC’s Sanctions List Search tool employsfuzzy logic on its name search field to lookfor potential matches on the SpeciallyDesignated Nationals (SDN) List and on itsConsolidated Sanctions List. Thisconsolidated list includes the Non-SDN,Palestinian Legislative Council List “NS-PLCList,” the Part 561 List, the Non-SDN IranSanctions Act List “NS-ISA List,” the ForeignSanctions Evaders List “FSE List,” theSectoral Sanctions Identifications List “SSIList,” and the List of Persons Identified asBlocked Solely Pursuant to Executive Order13599 “the 13599 Lis

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanc-tions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx

Executive Order Amending CounterTerrorism Sanctions Authorities;Counter Terrorism Designationsand Designations Updates; Iran-related Designation; SyriaUS Department of Treasury, September 10,2019

Today, the President issued a new ExecutiveOrder (E.O.) “Modernizing Sanctions toCombat Terrorism.” This E.O. amends E.O.13224, “Blocking Property and ProhibitingTransactions with Persons Who Commit,Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism”and terminates the national emergency

declared in E.O. 12947, “ProhibitingTransactions with Terrorists WhoThreaten to Disrupt the Middle East PeaceProcess.” The amended E.O. strengthensand expands both the Department ofState’s and the Treasury’s authorities totarget terrorists and their supporters,including by imposing correspondentaccount or payable-through accountsanctions on any foreign financialinstitution that knowingly conducted orfacilitated any significant transaction foror on behalf of any Specially DesignatedGlobal Terrorist after the effective date.

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20190910.aspx

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Prepared by :

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Ms Rishika ChauhanMr Varad Vatsal