TOP NEWS SUMMARY: 2020 Defense Space Strategy U.S. Department of Defense Moscow says U.S. planes intercepted Russian nuclear-capable bombers near Alaska Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ANALYSIS: It’s not techno-angst that’s driving East Asia to abandon nuclear power Foreign Policy United States SUMMARY: 2020 Defense Space Strategy U.S. Department of Defense6/17/20 The summary asserts that space is now a distinct warfighting domain, demanding enterprise-wide changes to policies, strategies, operations, investments, capabilities, and expertise for a new strategic environment. OPINION: New space strategy is heavy on ‘winning,’ light on details Defense OnePatrick Tucker 6/18/20 To judge from a summary released Wednesday, the new strategy is heavy on goals and light on details. Europe/Russia Moscow says U.S. planes intercepted Russian nuclear-capable bombers near Alaska Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty6/17/20 Moscow says U.S. Air Force planes have escorted four Russian nuclear-capable bombers as they patrolled an area close to the Bering Strait that divides Russia’s Chukotka Peninsula and the state of Alaska. NATO looks to counter Russia’s growing nuclear capabilities Air Force Magazine6/17/20 NATO defense ministers on June 17 agreed on three measures aimed at countering Russia’s “extensive and growing arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles” during the first of a two-day meeting held via secure teleconference due to the new coronavirus pandemic, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. Middle East Iran warns against UN nuclear watchdog resolution to access sites Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty6/17/20 Iran has criticized a plan to put forward a resolution at a meeting of the UN’s nuclear watchdog urging the country to allow inspectors access to two disputed sites. Iran says it successfully tests new naval cruise missile Reuters6/18/20 Iran said on Thursday its navy had successfully fired a new locally made cruise missile during war games in the northern Indian Ocean and near the entrance to the Gulf. ANALYSIS: New tensions dim hopes for salvaging Iran nuclear deal Science MagazineRichard Stone 6/17/20 Despite the nuclear deal’s slow-motion collapse, observers don’t expect Iran to open up the throttle on its program—at least not before the U.S. elections in November. East Asia ANALYSIS: It’s not techno-angst that’s driving East Asia to abandon nuclear power Foreign PolicyTed Nordhaus and Seaver Wang 6/17/20 Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan may take a decisive turn against nuclear power. The reasons have little to do with public fears of nuclear energy but are tied to long-standing demands for political and economic reform.