Digests and Blog

By Greg Thielmann On Jan. 29, The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, provided testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence implicitly contradicting the arguments of those criticizing the Joint Plan of Action now being implemented by Iran and its six negotiating partners. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testifies on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Clapper repeated the conclusion, first published in a 2007 national intelligence assessment, that "...Iran has the scientific…

By Tom Z. Collina In the wake of alarming reports that some Air Force nuclear-armed missile operators have been cheating on performance tests, using drugs, napping on duty, failing to follow safety rules, and more, the Pentagon announced Jan. 23 it is setting up an independent review of all U.S. nuclear forces, to be completed in 90 days. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel says he is "deeply concerned" about "the overall health, and the professionalism, and discipline of our strategic forces." But the scope of this review—limited to personnel issues—must be expanded. At its core, the problems…

This bulletin highlights significant events in the world of arms control in the coming days, as compiled by staff and friends of the Arms Control Association. For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today. The entire January/February 2014 issue is now available online for all ACA members and digital subscribers. – the Editors at Arms Control Today IAEA Goes Underground Nuclear inspectors will visit Iran's Gchine uranium mine in coming days, according to Yukiya Amano, director general of the…

By Daryl G. Kimball Today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Islamic Republic of Iran has begun to implement measures that will reduce its potential to produce material for nuclear weapons in accordance with the Nov. 24 "Joint Plan of Action" negotiated with the P5+1 states (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States). In a short report issued today, the IAEA also noted that it has begun daily inspections at the Natanz and Fordow enrichment facilities. Similar reports will be issued approximately once a month to monitor Iran's…

This bulletin highlights significant events in the world of arms control in the coming days, as compiled by staff and friends of the Arms Control Association. For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today. The entire January/February 2014 issue is now available online for all ACA members and digital subscribers. – the Editors at Arms Control Today Jan. 20: First-phase of Iran nuclear agreement goes into effect Formal implementation of the Nov. 24 agreement between the P5+1 and Iran to limit key…

This bulletin highlights significant events in the world of arms control in the coming days,as compiled by staff and friends of the Arms Control Association. For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today. The entire January/February 2014 issue is now available online for all ACA members and digital subscribers. – the Editors at Arms Control Today P5+1 and Iran Resolve Issues on Implementation of Nov. 24 First Phase Deal Earlier today in Geneva, negotiators announced they had resolved the…

This bulletin highlights significant events in the world of arms control in the coming days, as compiled by staff and friends of the Arms Control Association. For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today. Available in print/digital and digital-only subscriptions. -- the Editors at Arms Control Today Negotiators Close to Iran Accord Diplomats from world powers and Iran say they are close to reaching agreement on the implementation steps for their first phase agreement on pausing key elements of…

Okay folks. It is that time of the year. The sun is low in the northern hemisphere; holiday-driven shopping is in full swing; Congress has finally left Washington DC at peace; you are drinking more eggnog than you should; NORAD is working to put a shine on its image by tracking Santa (while still looking out for Russian nuclear-armed ICBMs); the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded; holiday cards are arriving; and ... the Arms Control Association's Arms Control Person of the Year balloting is open! Every year since 2007, ACA's staff has nominated several individuals and institutions that best…

By Greg Thielmann "The first concern, of course, is [the Iranians'] continuing development of intercontinental ballistic missiles." –Rep. Lloyd "Ted" Poe (R-TX) 12/10/13 "Many of us believe that the policies of this administration are putting the American people at risk, our allies at risk...with the missile capability that Iran has..." –Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) 12/10/13 Given the gravity of scenarios involving Iranian nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the American people must keep a watchful eye out for such a threat emerging. Public officials charged with providing…

This bulletin highlights significant events in the world of arms control in the coming days, as compiled by staff and friends of the Arms Control Association. For more news and analysis on these and other weapons-related security issues, consider subscribing to ACA's monthly journal Arms Control Today. Available in print/digital and digital-only subscriptions. - the Editors at Arms Control Today Inspectors to Visit Iran Nuclear Facility on Dec. 8 UN inspectors are scheduled to visit the Arak heavy-water production plant on Dec. 8 for the first time in more than two years. Iran is opening the…