For more than a year, US and Russian scientists and other experts supported by The EastWest Institute have been studying US-Russian relations and Iran’s weapons programmes. Their report, released this week, recommends the suspension of plans for missile defence and pursuit of a diplomatic route, both in the United Nations and directly with Iran, on the nuclear issue.
Recommendations
5.10 This report has concluded that there is at present no IRBM/ICBM [intermediate-range/inter-continental ballistic missile] threat from Iran and that such a threat, even if it were to emerge, is not imminent. Moreover, if such a threat were forthcoming, the proposed European missile defenses would not provide a dependable defense against it. It does not make sense, therefore, to proceed with deployment of the European missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Read the rest of this entry »
Every year, the US Director of National Intelligence is required by law to submit to Congress a report on “the acquisition by foreign countries during the preceding 6 months of dual-use and other technology useful for the development or production of weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, and biological weapons) and advanced conventional munitions”.
Rasmussen announces “two thumbs up” for a military smack of North Korea after its (unsuccessful) test of a missile and satellite:
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of U.S. voters nationwide favor a military response to eliminate North Korea’s missile launching capability. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 15% of voters oppose a military response while 28% are not sure.
Further stoking thoughts of a return to the Cold War fallout shelters, Rasmussen adds: “Currently, 39% are Very Concerned about a possible nuclear attack from North Korea.”
Evening Update (8.30 p.m. GMT / 1.30 p.m. Washington): Amnesty International and a Tibetan rights group are reported to be “shocked” by Hillary Clinton’s decision not to press China on human rights today. Clinton believes that “We pretty much known what they are going to say.”
In Poland today Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told NATO allies that the Obama administration was expecting significant contributions towards troop levels in Afghanistan, however some are calling Gates’ appeal for a contribution towards non-combatant, civilian roles a tacit admission that troops are unlikely to be forthcoming.
Back in Washington the White House has announced that it will today “refine” its legal position on detainees held at Bagram air base. Over 600 people are detained at the base outside Kabul, and under the Bush administration they were deemed not to be entitled to US legal rights. At present it is not known whether Obama’s break with Bush on the rights of ‘enemy combatants’ at Guantánamo Bay will extend to Bagram.
For more than a year, US and Russian scientists and other experts supported by The EastWest Institute have been studying US-Russian relations and Iran’s weapons programmes. Their report, released this week, recommends the suspension of plans for missile defence and pursuit of a diplomatic route, both in the United Nations and directly with Iran, on the nuclear issue.
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Every year, the US Director of National Intelligence is required by law to submit to Congress a report on “the acquisition by foreign countries during the preceding 6 months of dual-use and other technology useful for the development or production of weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, and biological weapons) and advanced conventional munitions”.
Rasmussen announces
US “drone” warplanes have fired at least two missiles
Evening Update (8.30 p.m. GMT / 1.30 p.m. Washington): Amnesty International and a Tibetan rights group are reported to be “
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