Top News No ‘bloody nose’ plan for North Korea: U.S. official, senators Reuters Japan and IAEA ink nuclear counterterrorism pact for 2020 Games The Japan Times North Korean threat could require new missile defenses for western U.S. The Washington Post US to spend billions on ‘ineffective’ nuclear weapons in Europe that pose ‘terrorism threat’ The Independent EAST ASIA No ‘bloody nose’ plan for North Korea: U.S. official, senators Reuters2/15/18 The senior U.S. diplomat for Asia, Susan Thornton, said on Thursday she understood the Trump administration had no strategy for a so-called bloody nose strike on North Korea, but Pyongyang would be forced to give up its nuclear weapons “one way or another.” U.S. Denies Plan for ‘Bloody Nose’ Strike on North Korea Bloomberg2/15/18 The United States doesn’t have a “bloody nose” strategy for North Korea, senators of both parties and a Trump administration official said Thursday, rejecting claims the U.S. wants to strike the North’s nuclear program in a way that avoids an all-out war. North Korean ship spotted likely violating sanctions a third time CNN2/14/18 A North Korean tanker has likely violated United Nations sanctions for the third time in recent months, according to authorities in Japan. IAEA to Cooperate with Japan on Nuclear Security at 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo IAEA News Centre2/15/18 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Government of Japan signed an agreement today aimed at enhancing nuclear security measures for the summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. Japan and IAEA ink nuclear counterterrorism pact for 2020 Games The Japan Times2/16/18 The government and the International Atomic Energy Agency have signed an agreement to work together to keep the 2020 Olympics safe from nuclear terrorism. MIDDLE EAST Nuclear deal must be implemented without any change to it, Iran insists Tehran Times2/14/18 Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), must be implemented without changing a word of it. SOUTH ASIA Pakistan developing new types of nuclear weapons: US The Times of India2/14/18 Pakistan is developing new types of nuclear weapons, including short-range tactical ones, that bring more risks to the region, America’s intelligence chief warned on Tuesday. Pakistan slipping out of US influence, say intelligence agencies Dawn2/15/18 Seventeen US intelligence agencies have warned Congress that Pakistan will continue to slip out of America’s influence and into China’s orbit in 2019, and will become a threat to Washington’s interests in the South Asian region. U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY General: ‘100 percent confident’ in North Korea missile defense The Hill2/15/18 The military official in charge of the command that defends the United States from missile threats says she’s “100 percent confident” in her ability to protect the country from a North Korean ballistic missile attack, while also calling for more improvements to U.S. missile defense. North Korean threat could require new missile defenses for western U.S. The Washington Post2/14/18 North Korea’s growing missile and nuclear capability may require new U.S. investments in missile defense for the western-most United States, the top U.S. military official for the Pacific said Wednesday. US to spend billions on ‘ineffective’ nuclear weapons in Europe that pose ‘terrorism threat’ The Independent2/16/18 ‘It should be assumed that they are targets for terrorism and theft,’ arms experts warn OPINION AND ANALYSIS Discrimination Details Matter: Clarifying an Argument About Low-Yield Nuclear Warheads War On The RocksAustin Long 2/16/18 Perhaps the most controversial element of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review has been the push to deploy a low-yield submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) warhead. All Eyes on North Korea Foreign PolicyJenna Mclaughlin 2/15/18 Intelligence agencies are surging resources to focus on the Korean Peninsula. No, the Olympics will not defuse the North Korea crisis Los Angeles TimesBruce Klingner 2/16/18 It was an inspiring sight: North and South Korean Olympic teams marching together behind a single unification flag. Could the opening ceremonies augur a new era of inter-Korean reconciliation? Must We Mean What We Say? Making Sense of the Nuclear Posture Review War On The RocksFrancis J. Gavin 2/15/18 On May 5, 1962, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara told his fellow NATO defense ministers that the Kennedy administration was dramatically transforming American nuclear strategy. SPECIAL INTEREST IAEA Expands International Cooperation on Small, Medium Sized or Modular Nuclear Reactors IAEA News Centre2/16/18 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is launching an effort to expand international cooperation and coordination in the design, development and deployment of small, medium sized or modular reactors (SMRs), among the most promising emerging technologies in nuclear power. Nuclear risk at its highest since Cuban missile crisis, says ex-energy secretary The Guardian2/16/18 Nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz says world has been lucky to avoid accidental weapon launch – and risk is growing