Top News Russia: negotiations on nuclear agreement have reached drafting stage The Jerusalem Post Democrats reintroduce ban on U.S. using nuclear weapons first Defense News A quiet arms race is rapidly heating up between the two Koreas The New York Times United States Democrats reintroduce ban on U.S. using nuclear weapons first Defense News4/16/21 Two key Democratic lawmakers reintroduced legislation Thursday that would make it U.S. policy not to use nuclear weapons first. ANALYSIS: Explaining the nuclear challenges posed by emerging and disruptive technology European Leadership NetworkAndrew Futter 4/19/21 This paper is a primer for those seeking to engage with current debates on nuclear risk in Europe. East Asia A quiet arms race is rapidly heating up between the two Koreas The New York Times4/19/21 The buildup over the last few years has threatened the delicate balance of peace on the Korean Peninsula. The incredible rise of North Korea’s hacking army The New YorkerEd Caesar 4/19/21 The country’s cyber forces have raked in billions of dollars for the regime by pulling off schemes ranging from A.T.M. heists to cryptocurrency thefts. Middle East Israeli intel agencies believe Vienna talks will lead to U.S. return to Iran nuclear deal Axios4/19/21 Israeli military intelligence and senior officials in the Mossad briefed a meeting of the nation’s security cabinet that talks in Vienna between Iran and other world powers will lead to the U.S. returning to the 2015 nuclear deal, two officials who attended the meeting told me. Russia: negotiations on nuclear agreement have reached drafting stage The Jerusalem Post4/19/21 While significant steps have been taken toward meeting shared goals, practical solutions remain far off after two weeks of Vienna nuclear agreement talks, reports Russian official Mikhail Ulyanov. EU’s Borrell cites progress in Vienna nuclear talks Reuters4/19/21 The European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday he saw a willingness to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, citing progress in talks in Vienna to bring the United States back to the accord. Russia and Europe Ukraine may seek nuclear weapons if left out of NATO: Diplomat Aljazeera4/16/21 Kyiv’s ambassador to Germany calls on the transatlantic security alliance to grant Ukraine long-sought membership. Accusations of spying and sabotage plunge Russia-Czech relations into the deep freeze Washington Post4/19/21 Russia expelled 20 Czech diplomats late Sunday in a row over Czech accusations implicating Russian military intelligence in a 2014 attack on a munitions depot that killed two civilians.