Top News:
IAEA chief in Tehran, seeks access to Iranian nuclear sites
Reuters
Russia’s upgraded Tu-95MSM strategic bomber to carry 8 missiles instead of four
TASS
Rocket Force drills prepare for possible U.S. nuclear weapons attack
South China Morning Post
United States
OPINION: Rethinking U.S. national security: masks, not missiles
The Mercury NewsRo Khana, William Perry
8/23/20
Americans are facing one of the greatest challenges in our nation’s history. More than 160,000 of our loved ones, friends and neighbors have died from COVID-19, surpassing all those who perished in every U.S. conflict after World War II combined.
East Asia
ANALYSIS: North Korea comes to terms with internal and external challenges
The DiplomatAnkit Panda
8/25/20
North Korea, like much of the world, is looking forward to 2021.
Rocket Force drills prepare for possible U.S. nuclear weapons attack
South China Morning Post8/25/20
Anti-CBRN exercises are a major training focus, simulating defense against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear warfare.
OPINION: Add Taiwan to the International Atomic Energy Agency
Defense OneAndrea Stricker
8/24/20
Once a near-nuclear power, Taipei has since been an exemplary anti-proliferator — in cold contrast to Beijing.
Middle East
IAEA chief in Tehran, seeks access to Iranian nuclear sites
Reuters8/24/20
The U.N. nuclear watchdog’s chief Rafael Grossi arrived in Iran on Monday, Iranian state TV reported, as he seeks access for inspectors to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff between Tehran and the body.
Iran dismisses demands beyond nuke deal as IAEA head visits
ABC News8/25/20
Iran’s nuclear chief says his country won’t accept any additional demands beyond its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal.
Iran nuclear: Fire at Natanz plant ’caused by sabotage’
BBC8/23/20
Iran’s nuclear body has said that a fire last month at a major nuclear facility was caused by sabotage.
OPINION: Are Iran ‘snapback’ sanctions legal?
InkstickGabriella Gricius
8/21/20
This week, US Secretary of State Pompeo dramatically announced that the US government will submit a complaint accusing Iran of significant non-compliance in the 2015 nuclear deal and trigger the sanctions “snapback” mechanism.
Russia and Europe
Russia’s upgraded Tu-95MSM strategic bomber to carry 8 missiles instead of four
TASS8/24/20
It has also received new flight control and navigation and communications systems, according to the CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation.
ANALYSIS: Radiation detections in northern Europe: what we do and don’t know
Bulletin of Atomic ScientistsCheryl Rofer
8/21/20
Nuclear experts are still puzzling over a mysterious event that happened in June, when several monitoring stations in northern Europe detected extremely small quantities of radionuclides in the atmosphere.