The recent coup attempt in Turkey raises a number of highly troubling questions, not least of which regarding the ongoing security situation surrounding 50-some US B61 nuclear gravity bombs held at Incirlik Air Base.
Turkey
Cuban Missile Crisis 50th Anniversary
50 years ago this week, the world held its breath, waiting to see if nuclear armageddon would be averted, as the Cuban Missile Crisis reached its climax.
Getting to Zero Update
Nuclear weapons non-proliferation and disarmament developments seemed to be caught in a holding pattern, despite the upswing in news on the Iran and North Korea programs during recent weeks, including the release of the more detailed IAEA report on Iran’s alleged nuclear weaponization efforts.
Iran Update: Number 153
- IAEA to release more data on suspected weapons activities related to Iran’s nuclear program; Tensions flare during annual member state gathering
- Tel Aviv and London ratchet up talk of military strike on Iran
Getting the Balance Right
Three high-level meetings this week sum up the interconnected challenge of global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Turkey, NATO & and Nuclear Sharing: Prospects after NATO’s Lisbon Summit
Mustafa Kibaroglu presents Turkey's political, military and diplomatic views to the prolonged deployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on their soil. Turkey's policy of non-proliferation contrasts with their hosting – albeit burden sharing – of NATO tactical nuclear weapons. He concludes that Turkey, preferably together with other NATO members, should take the initiative in asking the United States to draw them down and remove them entirely, in the interests of Turkish security and alliance cohesion.
Iran Update: Number 150
- Iranian officials allege new virus attack; mark latest plans for nuclear program
- Latest U.S. assessments and speculation about Tehran’s capabilities and intentions
- Sanctions and alleged smuggling
- Regional developments
Iran will not stop enrichment, even if attacked
“If the United States genuinely think that it will only be pressure on Iran that forces a compromise, they will not offer anything substantial at this stage, preferring to stick with the sanctions route, and are likely to stymie any deal.”
Paul Ingram, BASIC's executive director, was quoted in Euronews. To read more:
http://www.euronews.net/2011/01/21/iran-will-not-stop-enrichment-even-under-military-strike/