“One of the most misleading distortions being floated by political opponents of the Iran nuclear deal is the “24-day” loophole meme: Iran would be able to hide all evidence of any nefarious nuclear weapons work during the 24 days it may take inspectors to gain access to a suspicious site,” wrote Yousaf Butt in this commentary piece about Iran's nuclear program for Jakarta Globe.
Analysis
Iran, the JCPoA and the Future of the Non-Proliferation Regime
The non-proliferation regime appears to have stagnated since the previous Review Conference in 2010. It involves deep complexity and relies upon shared norms, but these alone are insufficient for states to have the necessary confidence essential to its success.
Concern About Iran’s Parchin Facility Not Supported by Images
“With debate flaring in Washington over the July 14 agreement between Iran and world powers, some analysts and politicians say activities at Parchin underline the risks of entering into a deal with the Islamic Republic,” reports Jonathan Tirone from Bloomsberg Business on August 11, 2015.
BASIC executive director, Paul Ingram was quoted in the article as saying: “Parchin is an active site and movement is inevitable. Attempting an impossible cleanup in full view of satellites and just before Congressional votes would be stretching conspiracy theories beyond breaking point.”
Giving Iran too much to lose
‘If Congress wants Iran to be constrained – not only in its nuclear program but also in its actions abroad – then they ought to support the nuclear deal.’ writes BASIC’s senior scientific adviser, Yousaf Butt for the Hill.
American Exceptionalism and the Folly of Hiroshima
“Seventy years ago, the world fell under the shadow of a nuclear Armageddon, under which it has been living ever since. On August 6 1945, a US B-29 bomber, the “Enola Gay,” dropped the world’s first atomic bomb, innocently named “Little Boy,” on the Japanese city of Hiroshima….” writes Ward Wilson for Sputnik News.
Read the full article on Sputnik News' website here.
Iran Deal: Now We Must Change Direction
This nuclear deal is a good one for an international community that desperately needs strong assurance when it comes to nuclear non-proliferation.
Consider the alternative: what opposition to the Iran nuclear deal could signal
The deal is at last concluded over Iran’s nuclear program, lifting many economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States, European Union and United Nations in return for long term curbs on the country’s nuclear program and the most extensive long-term verification and inspections regime ever accepted by a state.
UK nuclear weapons – a source of insecurity?
The UK doggedly maintains an ‘independent nuclear deterrent’ but a naval officer has blown the whistle on the system’s inherent insecurity—with its potentially incalculable implications.