Top News Korea reopens cross-border hotline with S. Korea Kyodo News Iran protests could move Trump to kill nuclear deal Politico Trump Says His ‘Nuclear Button’ Is ‘Much Bigger’ Than North Korea’s New York Times This Is What Deterrence Looks Like Uri Friedman, The Atlantic EAST ASIA Korea reopens cross-border hotline with S. Korea Kyodo News North Korea reopened a cross-border communication link with South Korea on Wednesday, the government in Seoul said, in the latest sign of Pyongyang’s eagerness to improve inter-Korean ties amid heightened tensions over its nuclear and missile programs. North Korea preparing for another missile launch: reports The Hill North Korea may be preparing for another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, according to Tuesday reports. Secret Document Reveals China Covertly Offering Missiles, Increased Aid to North Korea Washington Free Beacon China’s Communist Party adopted a secret plan in September to bolster the North Korean government with increased aid and military support, including new missiles, if Pyongyang halts further nuclear tests, according to an internal party document. MIDDLE EAST Iran protests could move Trump to kill nuclear deal Politico Anti-government protests in Iran offer President Donald Trump a new reason to scrap the Iran nuclear deal later this month — a risky move that Trump’s supporters are cheering but that critics warn could play into Tehran’s hands. RUSSIA/FSU/EUROPE European anti-terrorism package prioritizes CBRN preparedness, expert says Homeland Preparedness News Experiencing an escalating threat level of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks across its region, the European Commission’s related preparedness plan is extremely important, a London-based expert recently told Homeland Preparedness News. SOUTH ASIA DRDO lines up crucial trials Indian Express After an eventful year, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is contemplating crucial tests of India’s longest range and most potent Agni-V and Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile. MULTILATERAL ARMS CONTROL President Trump Is Developing a Missile That Would Break a Nuclear Arms Treaty With Russia TIME Buried inside the mammoth $700 billion defense bill President Donald Trump signed last month is a relatively miniscule $25 million to fund development of a new road-mobile, ground-launched cruise missile. U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY Trump Says His ‘Nuclear Button’ Is ‘Much Bigger’ Than North Korea’s New York Times President Trump again raised the prospect of nuclear war with North Korea, boasting in strikingly playground terms on Tuesday night that he commands a “much bigger” and “more powerful” arsenal of devastating weapons than the outlier government in Asia. US wants North Korea to give up nuclear weapons as pre-condition of talks Deutsche Welle The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, told reporters on Tuesday that the US would only start taking talks between North and South Korea seriously when the North showed a commitment to denuclearization. OPINION AND ANALYSIS Why nuclear war with North Korea is less likely than you think Michael C. Horowitz and Elizabeth SaundersWashington Post Trump’s tweets and other actions certainly can increase the risk of conflict. However, in this case, other factors, including geography and military capabilities, will matter more than tweets or the characteristics of leaders. And these factors reduce the likelihood of war. SPECIAL INTEREST This Is What Deterrence Looks Like Uri FriedmanThe Atlantic Donald Trump seemed to be reminding Kim that he best not consider a nuclear strike—since America’s nuclear-weapons arsenal is superior to North Korea’s and America isn’t afraid to use it. This was nuclear deterrence, in 280 Trumpian characters.