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 plant, which is designed to supply a reactor under construction nearby, to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as part of its Nov. 24 agreement with world powers. In the so-called framework agreement, Iran agreed to allow the IAEA additional monitoring and on-site inspections.
See "Assessing the First-Phase Deal to Guard Against a Nuclear-Armed Iran" (ACA Issue Brief, Dec. 2, 2013)
Experts from Iran, World Powers Meet on Dec. 8-9
The technical details of the implementation of the Nov. 24 agreement will be discussed by experts from the P5+1 countries and Iran in Vienna on Dec. 8-9.
Kerry to Defend Iran Deal on Capitol Hill on Dec. 10
Secretary of State John Kerry will testify at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on "The Iran Nuclear Deal: Does It Further U.S. National Security?"
More Hill Discussions on Iran...
"Making Sense of Nuclear Negotiations with Iran: A Good Deal or a Bad Deal?" Discussion with Alireza Nader, Daryl Kimball, and Paul Pillar at 2168 Rayburn House Office Building. Dec. 10 from 2:00-3:00. RSVP by calling Kurt Card at (703) 413-1100 ext. 5259 or online.
"Avoiding Future Irans: A New Course for U.S. Nonproliferation Policy." Discussion with Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Rep. Brad Sherman, Sen. Ed Markey (invited), Mark Wallace, Daryl Kimball, Kingston Reif, Christopher Paine, and Robert Zarate at B338 Rayburn House Office Building. Dec. 11 from 11:45-1:30. RSVP here.
Iran and IAEA Talks to Resume Dec. 11
Experts from Iran and the IAEA will meet in Vienna to discuss implementation of the six measures the two parties agreed to on November 11. Besides opening up the Arak facility to inspectors, Iran has agreed to provide: access to its uranium mine; information about new research reactors; information about 16 sites designated for the construction of nuclear power plants; information about additional enrichment facilities; and plans for laser enrichment technology.
Chemical Watchdog to Receive Nobel Prize on Dec. 10
The 2013 Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in Oslo, Norway on Dec. 10. The ceremony will recognize the work of the 190 member states that have signed the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Syria Disarmament Effort Facing Security Challenges
Poor security conditions in Syria are threatening plans of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to transport Syria's bulk chemical arsenal out of the country for destruction. The OPCW planned to start moving the chemicals on the highway connecting Damascus to the port city of Latakia for transfer to Danish cargo vessel by Dec. 31 and then to a U.S. ship where the material will be neutralized, but UN officials say they have been unable to travel on the road because of the threat of violence.
For the latest on the subject, see Dan Horner's report in this month's issue of Arms Control Today.
Defense Authorization Bill Expected in the Senate Dec. 9
Delayed from before the Thanksgiving break, the Senate will again seek to pass its version of the National Defense Authorization Act; the House has already passed its version of the bill.
See "On Nukes, Senate Should Not Tie President's Hands" (ACA Issue Brief, Nov. 20, 2013)