Nuclear Policy News – June 12, 2020

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Top News:

France just test fired a submarine launched ballistic missile in the Atlantic
The Drive

U.N. chief regrets North Korea decision to cut hotlines with South
Reuters

China continues to safeguard JCPOA on Iranian nuclear issue: FM spokesperson
Xinhua

United States

OPINION: Why a decision on a second US plutonium-pit-production factory should be delayed
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists – Frank von Hippel
6/12/20
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the organization within the Energy Department that is responsible for producing and maintaining US nuclear warheads, is moving forward with a plan to build a plutonium-pit-production factory at DOE’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

OPINION: A nuclear test would blow up in Trump’s face
Foreign Policy – Sarah Bidgood
6/11/20
The Trump administration doesn’t understand the brinkmanship concept its nuclear diplomacy is based on.

OPINION: Should the U.S. really be testing nukes now?
Newsweek – William Courtney, Frank Klotz
6/10/20
Trump administration officials are reported to have recently discussed conducting a nuclear test, breaking a moratorium the U.S. has observed since 1992.

East Asia

U.N. chief regrets North Korea decision to cut hotlines with South
Reuters6/10/20
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regrets that North Korea has severed hotlines with South Korea, warning that such channels “are necessary to avoid misunderstandings or miscalculations,” a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.

China condemns ‘provocative’ U.S. military flight over Taiwan
Reuters6/11/20
China on Thursday condemned the U.S. military for the “provocative” flight of one of its aircraft over Chinese-claimed Taiwan, saying the move infringed upon China’s sovereignty and contravened international law.

Middle East

China continues to safeguard JCPOA on Iranian nuclear issue: FM spokesperson
Xinhua6/11/20
China will work with all relevant parties to safeguard the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, and the effectiveness of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iranian nuclear issue, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Russia and Europe

Russian diplomat vows response if U.S. nukes appear in Poland
Xinhua6/11/20
Russia will take countermeasures if the United States deploys nuclear weapons in Poland, Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov said Thursday.

France just test fired a submarine launched ballistic missile in the Atlantic
The Drive6/12/20
A U.S. Air Force RC-135R Cobra Ball launch surveillance aircraft took in the test while orbiting over the Caribbean.

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