TOP NEWS Kim Jong-un Plans Formal Nod to Denuclearization, South Korea Says New York Times China Announces Commissioning of DF-26 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Brigade The Diplomat EU defends Iran nuclear deal; no new sanctions ABC News STRATCOM’s Hyten On B-21, Colombia Class, NC3 Breaking Defense EAST ASIA Kim Jong-un Plans Formal Nod to Denuclearization, South Korea Says New York Times4/17/18 Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, plans to formally announce his willingness to denuclearize his country when he meets with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea this month, an official from the South said on Tuesday. President Trump and Japan’s Shinzo Abe to Discuss North Korea and Trade Tariffs at Mar-a-Lago Time4/17/18 President Donald Trump will play host to Japan’s Shinzo Abe at Mar-a-Lago this week amid growing strain between the two countries over the president’s planned meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and his push for new tariffs. AP Interview: Moon adviser says NKorea seeks economic growth ABC News4/17/18 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely decided to put his nuclear weapons program up for negotiation to win outside rewards so he can improve his country’s economy, win public trust at home and prolong his leadership, a special adviser to the South Korean president said Tuesday. China Announces Commissioning of DF-26 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Brigade The Diplomat4/17/18 A brigade comprising at least 22 DF-26 launchers has been commissioned into the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. N.K. highlights Iran nuke deal ahead of summits with S. Korea, U.S. Yonhap News Agency4/16/18 North Korea on Monday highlighted its 45-year-long ties with Iran and defended Tehran’s stance toward a nuclear deal with major powers that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to scrap. Two Koreas Discuss Official End to 68-Year War, Report Says Bloomberg4/17/18 South and North Korea are discussing plans to announce an official end to the military conflict between the two countries that are still technically at war, the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unidentified South Korean official. MIDDLE EAST US Strike on Syria Sends Mixed Messages to North Korea VOA4/16/18 The recent United States missile strikes against Syria could increase pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Or the missile strikes could show North Korean officials the need for nuclear arms to keep the country safe from attack. EU defends Iran nuclear deal; no new sanctions ABC News4/16/18 The European Union has strongly defended the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and declined to impose new sanctions despite Tehran’s actions in Syria. SOUTH ASIA Pakistan Tests Enhanced-Range Variant of Babur Nuclear-Capable Land-Attack Cruise Missile The Diplomat4/16/18 On Saturday, Pakistan carried out what it said was a successful flight test of a range-enhanced, ground-launched Babur subsonic cruise missile. U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY Post-ABC Poll: Public supports Trump-Kim meeting, but isn’t getting its hopes up Washington Post4/17/18 Americans express low expectations that a planned meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump will lead North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but a new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds most support Trump participating in the meeting anyway. STRATCOM’s Hyten On B-21, Colombia Class, NC3 Breaking Defense4/16/18 Created in 1992 from the old Strategic Air Command, STRATCOM has probably never had as high a profile as it does today. OPINION AND ANALYSIS Unpacking a US Decision to Engage North Korea: What it Entails and What it Could Achieve 38North4/16/18 In this essay, we argue that there is space for negotiation around the idea of mutual security, defusing tensions and creating conditions for eventual denuclearization throughout the Korean Peninsula. Why the Trump-Kim talks will fail Asia Times4/17/18 Denuclearization summit fits a pattern of past failed agreements and overlooks the Kim dynasty’s long obsession with acquiring nuclear weapons SPECIAL INTEREST When Einstein Warned the World The Atlantic4/16/18 In November of 1947, Albert Einstein offered the United States and the international community advice on how to coexist under the looming threat of nuclear war. An excerpt from his article in The Atlantic, “Atomic War or Peace,” has been animated in the video above.