Top News Iran moves to increase uranium enrichment and bar nuclear inspectors New York Times Biden team weighs North Korea policy as the era of Trump’s ‘love’ letters with Kim ends CNN Another democrat lawmaker pushes for Biden nuclear posture overhaul Exchange Monitor United States Another democrat lawmaker pushes for Biden nuclear posture overhaul Exchange Monitor12/2/20 On Tuesday, another Democratic lawmaker called for President-elect Joe Biden to publish what would be the third U.S. nuclear posture review in as many administrations — a potential step toward altering the course of the nuclear modernization regimen. OPINION: Can arms control make a 21st-century comeback? The DiplomatJacob Parakilas 12/2/20 An increasingly fractured international system, along with lack of a meaningful hierarchy of threats, is making prospects of arms control difficult. OPINION: Biden’s chance to revive nuclear arms control The StrategistRamesh Thakur 12/3/20 As President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris prepare to be sworn in on 20 January, there’s an expectation of US re-engagement with multilateralism and a return to some semblance of normality, stability, continuity and predictability. East Asia Biden team weighs North Korea policy as the era of Trump’s ‘love’ letters with Kim ends CNN12/3/20 President-elect Joe Biden’s foreign policy team will soon have access to the letters President Donald Trump exchanged with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, correspondence that belongs to the US government — not Trump — and could provide insight into one of the world’s most enigmatic leaders. Biden must decide on North Korea strategy early, says top Obama-era diplomat The Guardian12/3/20 Kurt Campbell says the delay in acting on Pyongyang in previous Democratic administration ‘headed off any possibility of engagement.’ OPINION: Time for Kim Jong-un to embrace denuclearisation and open up North Korea economically South China Morning PostChan Young Bang 12/3/20 While North Korea’s leader possesses a vision for the future of his country, the lack of an exit strategy from his nuclear program has thwarted peace talks. OPINION: China-US power competition brings a Cold War arms concept back into fashion South China Morning PostCatherine Wong 12/3/20 Military and foreign policy specialists at Xiangshan forum in Beijing discuss need for arms control structures to be repaired after Trump era, and updated. Middle East Biden: Iran nuclear deal best way to avoid Middle East arms race Al Jazeera12/2/20 Biden said he is committed to returning to, and expanding, the 2015 deal, as Trump reportedly tries to cripple those chances. U.S. official says Israel was behind assassination of Iranian scientist CNN12/2/20 A senior US administration official said Israel was behind the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist but declined to give details about whether the Trump administration knew about the attack before it was carried out or provided support. Iran moves to increase uranium enrichment and bar nuclear inspectors New York Times12/2/20 Iran’s response to the assassination of its top nuclear scientist poses an early challenge to the Biden administration, and may be seen as a provocation by President Trump. Russia and Europe COVID-19 slows down development of Russia’ naval nuclear forces Jamestown FoundationMaxim Starchak 12/2/20 The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the output of all sectors of Russian industry, including arms manufacturers.