Top News: NSSA produces first upgraded warhead for sub-launched nukes Breaking Defense Iran’s president warns weapons-grade enrichment possible Associated Press Russia to discuss strategic stability with U.S. next week -RIA cites sources Reuters United States NSSA produces first upgraded warhead for sub-launched nukes Breaking Defense7/13/2021 The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced Tuesday that it has successfully completed the first production unit of the W88 Alt 370 warhead, a year late and millions over budget after a technical issue caused delays. East Asia ANALYSIS: DPRK strategic capabilities and security on the Korean Peninsula: looking ahead International Institute for Strategic Studies7/14/2021 Believing that Russian–U.S. cooperation could play an important role in developing and implementing proposals for denuclearisation and creating lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, the Moscow-based Center for Energy and Security Studies and the IISS undertook a joint assessment of North Korea’s progress in developing nuclear and missile capabilities and an examination of possible international steps towards a solution. OPINION: Let’s not get into a nuclear arms race with China SlateFred Kaplan 7/13/2021 China’s new missile silos are concerning—but we already have more than enough weapons to counter them. OPINION: North Korean nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to China RAND BlogBruce W. Bennett and Diana Y. Myers 7/13/2021 Despite the current border closures between their two countries, China and North Korea remain resolutely pledged to a “blood-alliance.” But this partnership has vastly different implications depending on which side of the border you consider. Middle East Iran’s president warns weapons-grade enrichment possible Associated Press7/14/2021 Iran’s outgoing president on Wednesday warned his country could enrich uranium at weapons-grade levels of 90% if it chose, though it still wanted to save its tattered nuclear deal with world powers. The Iran nuclear deal, six years on Al Jazeera7/14/2021 World powers party to the nuclear deal hope to restore it soon as the best option available to ensure non-proliferation. Iran talks seen withering until august as oil market heats up Bloomberg7/13/2021 Nuclear talks between world powers and Iran aren’t likely to resume until after the Islamic Republic installs its new president next month, all but eliminating the chances of an early resurrection of their accord struck six years ago Wednesday and a jump in Iranian oil exports. Iran pressuring U.S. on sanctions ahead of rejoining nuclear agreement The Jerusalem Post7/13/2021 Many of the sanctions imposed by the administration of then-President Donald Trump after the 2018 U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA hobbled the Iranian economy, punishing the regime. Israel urges visiting U.S. lawmakers to oppose reviving Iran-nuclear deal New York Post7/13/2021 Leaders of Israel’s new government told a visiting bipartisan congressional delegation they oppose President Biden and the United States re-entering the Iran-nuclear deal, according to participant Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. Russia and Europe Russia to discuss strategic stability with U.S. next week -RIA cites sources Reuters7/14/2021 Nuclear strategic stability talks between Russia and the United States will take place in a week, the RIA news agency reported on Wednesday, citing sources in a Russian delegation at talks in Tajikistan. ONLINE EVENT: Nuclear deterrence and strategic stability: a controversial symbiosis Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia of the Monterey Institute of International StudiesAlexei Arbatov 7/13/2021 Alexei Arbatov spoke at the online event, Georgy Arbatov Memorial Lecture Series, hosted by the Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He has participated as a member of official delegations of various arms control negotiations including those for START I. He spoke on the real-world understanding of nuclear deterrence.