Programmes

Iran update: number 129

Summary

  • Iran fires first of a new generation of solid-fuel missiles
  • Israel calls on incoming US administration to stay tough
  • Turkey offers mediation as P5+1 talks continue into the twilight days of Bush's Presidency
  • Iran warns US over air space violations, after US raid in Syria
  • Ahmadinejad congratulates Obama for election victory, then endures storm of controversy back home for his conciliatory gesture
  • Iran looking to collaborate with other suppliers as oil and gas prices plummet.

A new American president and nuclear weapons

As one of the longest and most closely followed US campaigns has drawn to a close, the implications of this election for getting to zero are unknown. The next president faces the monumental challenge of coping with two wars and a worldwide economic crisis. These issues may detract from the time and energy that the next Administration can spend on nuclear security.

Improving nuclear security in 2009 and beyond: Transatlantic options for the new Administration.

Experts shared their views on what the next U.S. administration should do to manage the urgent threat from nuclear weapons and how it could take advantage of transatlantic relationships. The event was co-sponsored by BASIC and Women in International Security, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.

 Please see the attached document (PDF) for a summary.

Iran update: number 128

Summary

  • China agrees to new P5+1 talks after previous delays; US levies more sanctions
  • Underground Iranian nuclear installations may be immune to Israeli strikes
  • Iran criticizes Western advocates for its failed Security Council bid
  • Iran nixes local office of the American-Iranian Council
  • Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami refuses to comment on possible future bid for presidency
  • American Presidential candidates on Iran

 

GTZ workshop in NYC

Sitting down before the start of the afternoon workshop on Getting to Zero yesterday I have to admit to being a little intimidated. I was to open before Michael Krepon, someone highly involved in the issue for many years and whose work I had read a great deal of.