TOP NEWS Esper, Dunford emphasize key role of strategy in American defense United States Department of Defense U.S. sanctions two networks ‘supporting Iran’s WMD program’ Radio Free Europe Esper sets demand that might let Turkey rejoin F-35 program Defense News U.S. Nuclear Policy Esper, Dunford emphasize key role of strategy in American defense United States Department of Defense8/28/19 The Defense Department will continue to make all decisions based on the National Defense Strategy and will follow the lines of effort — increasing lethality, encouraging alliances and partnerships, and reforming the department — that provide the strategy’s foundations, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said. Middle East Middle-class Iranians resort to buying rotting produce as U.S. sanctions take toll Los Angeles Times8/28/19 The broad secondary sanctions regime enforced by the United States has drastic effects throughout Iranian society. EU insists Iran nuclear deal must be part of any future pact Washington Post8/29/19 The European Union’s top diplomat said Thursday that the existing nuclear deal between Iran and world powers must not be sacrificed as part of any U.S. moves to forge a new security agreement with Tehran amid attempts to set up a meeting between President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart. U.S. sanctions two networks ‘supporting Iran’s WMD program’ Radio Free Europe8/29/19 The United States has imposed sanctions on two networks it says are engaged in “covert procurement activities” benefiting Iranian military organizations and supporting Iran’s “missile proliferation programs,” the Treasury Department has said. Russia/Europe How Russia and Iran dominated the G7 Summit National Interest8/28/19 Despite not being invited as official participants, Russia and Iran were front and center in the G7 summit discussions. Esper sets demand that might let Turkey rejoin F-35 program Defense News8/28/19 The Pentagon would consider allowing Turkey to rejoin the F-35 program only if the Russian-made S-400 air defense system is completely removed from Turkish soil, meaning the government in Ankara could not simply keep the systems deactivated in warehouses, the Pentagon’s top official said Wednesday. East Asia South Korea analyzes seawater for nuclear waste contamination from North Korean uranium mine Radio Free Asia8/28/19 The government of South Korea is conducting analyses on seawater samples taken from the Yellow sea, situated west of the Korean peninsula, after a report by RFA’s Korean Service raised the possibility of radioactive waste from a uranium mine in North Korea flowing into the sea. South Asia India-U.S. ‘tailoring’ predator UAV for multi-service buy Breaking Defense8/28/19 The Predator B’s weapons, avionics and comms suites will all need to be specially configured to meet the needs of India’s military. India, Russia to seal nuclear pact next week Live Mint8/28/19 Russia hopes to conclude a new pact for building six more nuclear power plants in India during next week’s visit to Vladivostok by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Opinion/Analysis/Commentary U.S. leader’s chaotic diplomacy offers chance with Kim Japan TimesSatohiro Akimoto 8/29/19 As capricious as Trump may be, the equally unconventional leader of North Korea can only be approached by the highly unusual leader in Washington. Even on space, thinking at Air University is unhindered by tradition War on the RocksMark Conversino 8/29/19 While it is true that there was a period of uncertainty in the summer of 2018 about who could and should talk about space as policy debates raged in Washington, the chief of staff of the Air Force, Gen. David Goldfein, personally clarified that Air University faculty and students had full academic freedom to engage and discuss their ideas. End the gag rule, start the Space Force Wall Street JournalDaniel Lyons 8/26/19 The Air Force stalls a key Trump initiative by flagrantly violating academic freedom. Congress’ demands for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are sinking the Navy NBC NewsSébastien Roblin 8/28/19 A law mandating 12 “supercarriers” is too big a cost burden, while strategists worry that they are increasingly vulnerable to Russia and China.