TOP NEWS Photos indicate North Korea may be building submarine capable of launching nuclear missiles NBC News Russia is trying to sell its own stealthy new fighter after U.S. revoked access to F-35 TIME US approves US$3.3 billion sale of anti-ballistic missiles to Japan Channel News Asia U.S. Nuclear Posture Pentagon sees ‘no major concerns’ with Raytheon-United Technologies merger Defense One8/26/19 The Pentagon appears unlikely to object to the blockbuster merger of Raytheon and United Technologies, a top U.S. defense official said Monday. Middle East Iran seen preparing for space launch National Public Radio8/26/19 In the latest indication that it may be readying an attempt to launch another space rocket, Iran has given its launch pad a fresh coat of paint. Russia/Europe Russia is trying to sell its own stealthy new fighter after U.S. revoked access to F-35 TIME8/27/19 President Vladimir Putin showed off Russia’s latest stealth warplane to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who’s been barred from buying a new U.S. fighter jet in a dispute with Donald Trump over the purchase of a Russian missile system. Russia is developing some scary nuclear weapons. It has to give them up to save New START National Interest8/27/19 With the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty now officially dead, the fate of the New START treaty – and with it, much of the world’s remaining nuclear arms control architecture – continues to hang in the balance. Isotopes composition proves a reactor was involved in Nenoksa accident, expert says Barents Observer8/26/19 Analyses of the radionuclides in the fallout over Severodvinsk show several isotopes that would not have been present if was a simple RTG in the explosion. East Asia Photos indicate North Korea may be building submarine capable of launching nuclear missiles NBC News8/27/19 Satellite photos indicate North Korea is building a ballistic missile submarine and may be making preparations to test a submarine-launched missile, according to an analysis of the commercial images by experts at a Washington-based think tank. Uranium mill: operations produce environmental damage while extracting uranium for its nuclear program 38 North8/27/19 Although recent media reporting describing evidence of recurring leakage from the Pyongsan Uranium Mill’s waste tailings pipeline is accurate, the headlines associated with that reporting have been overly sensationalistic. US approves US$3.3 billion sale of anti-ballistic missiles to Japan Channel News Asia8/28/19 Washington approved the US$3.3 billion sale of anti-ballistic missiles to Japan Tuesday, following close behind a series of new ballistic missile tests by North Korea that could threaten the US ally. French overture to ease U.S.-Iran row could complicate Abe’s efforts Kyodo News8/27/19 French President Emmanuel Macron’s drive to realize dialogue between the United States and Iran amid a standoff over a 2015 nuclear deal are complicating efforts by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also intends to act as a mediator. Opinion/Analysis/Commentary Like it or not, talks with Iran are coming soon Washington PostJason Rezaian 8/27/19 While Iran hawks in and around the Trump administration have been trying to sabotage even the notion of engaging with Tehran, other countries made their decision on this matter long ago. For the want of a nail: Surface connectors in expeditionary operations War on the RocksElee Wakim 8/28/19 Since World War II, a core tenet of guaranteeing the security of the United States and ensuring the advancement of its vital national interests has been to project power abroad. Airpower orphans, PART II: Whatever happened to liaison aircraft? War on the RocksMike Pietrucha 8/26/19 A relative handful of liaison-type aircraft could have an outsized impact on a modern conflict in Europe, for an investment that is barely more than budget dust.