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.