The following are some of the key arms control dates and developments to watch over the next fortnight. 
For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today, which is available in print/digital and digital-only editions.
- written and compiled by Tim Farnsworth
July 2-20+: Sixth and Possibly Final Round of P5+1 and Iran Talks in Vienna
Top diplomats from Iran and the P5+1 states (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) will reconvene July 2 in Vienna to continue their negotiations on a comprehensive agreement to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program. The aim to conclude the negotiation by July 20, but they could extend the talks if the parties agree to do so.
For more news and analysis on the ongoing talks delivered straight to your inbox, sign-up for our new P5+1 and Iran Talks Alert for reporters and interested readers. Part of the alert will include dispatches from Vienna from ACA's nonproliferation analyst, Kelsey Davenport.
Also, check out the latest resources from the Arms Control Association and Arms Control Today:
- "Solving the Iran Nuclear Puzzle: Toward a Realistic and Effective Comprehensive Nuclear Agreement," by the ACA Research Staff, June 2014. NEW
- "Agreeing on Limits for Iran's Centrifuge Program: A Two-Stage Strategy," by Alexander Glaser, Zia Mian, Hossein Mousavian, and Frank von Hippel, Arms Control Today, July/August 2014. EARLY RELEASE
- "The Iranian Uranium-Enrichment Challenge," by Daryl G. Kimball, Arms Control Today, June 2014.
- "A Win-Win Solution for Iran's Arak Reactor," by Ali Ahmad, Frank von Hippel, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian, Arms Control Today, April 2014.
- "Implementation of the Joint Plan of Action at a Glance," Arms Control Association Fact Sheet.
- "History of Official Proposals on the Iranian Nuclear Issue," Arms Control Association Fact Sheet.
Week of June 30: Transfer of Syria Chemical Materials at Port of Gioia Tauro
The OPCW announced last week that the remaining stockpile of declared chemical weapons in Syria has been removed from the country. Many said the 9-month time frame for the UN-OPCW mission was too ambitious, but the operation was completed and the threat of another mass chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria has been severely reduced.
The neutralization/elimination phase of the operation now begins. This week, the Ark Futura will transfer the prohibited Syrian chemical materials onto the American ship, MV Cape Ray, at the Port of Gioia Tauro, Italy. The Cape Ray will then depart and begin the process of neutralizing the material using a U.S.-made Field Deployable Hydrolysis System, under the supervision of independent OPCW inspectors.
For more resources on Syria's chemical weapons and their removal, see:
- "Removal of Syrian Chemical Weapons Arsenal A Breakthrough, Yet There Is More To Be Done," by Daryl G. Kimball, ArmsControlNow, June 23, 2014.
- "Timeline of Syrian Chemical Weapons Activity, 2012-2014," Arms Control Association, Fact Sheet.
- "Syria Misses Chemical Removal Deadline," Daniel Horner, Arms Control Today, May 2014.
July 9-10: House Floor Action on Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
The House is expected to hold a vote on H.R. 4923, the energy and water appropriations bill, when they come back from the 4th of July recess, July 9-10. The bill appropriates funding for several nuclear weapons and nonproliferation programs--such as the nuclear warhead modernization plan--and agencies--such as the National Nuclear Security Administration.
For the latest news and analysis on the bill, checkout:
- "NNSA's '3+2' Nuclear Warhead Plan Does Not Add Up," by Tom Z. Collina, Issue Brief, May 2014.
- "Future of '3+2' Warhead Plan in Doubt," by Tom Z. Collina, Arms Control Today, May 2014.
- "U.S. Nuclear Arms Spending Set to Rise," by Tom Z. Collina, Arms Control Today, April 2014.