Top News IAEA gearing up for verification work on NK nukes: official Yonhap News Iran Nuclear Chief Warns of Unpredictable Consequences if Deal Breaks Down US News and World Report Russia warns US against deploying new missiles to Europe Associated Press East Asia IAEA gearing up for verification work on NK nukes: official Yonhap News11/26/18 The International Atomic Energy Agency has continued preparations for an “essential role” in the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula, encouraged by a round of recent talks involving Pyongyang, a senior agency official said Monday. “Regarding the DPRK nuclear issue … we have intensified our effort since last year to announce the agency’s readiness to play an essential role in verifying the DPRK nuclear program if the political agreement is reached among countries concerned,” Massimo Aparo, the head of the IAEA department of safeguards, said at a regular consultative meeting between the global organization and the South Korean government. Middle East Iran Nuclear Chief Warns of Unpredictable Consequences if Deal Breaks Down US News and World Report11/26/18 Iran’s nuclear chief warned the European Union on Monday of “ominous” consequences if it did not follow through with action to keep the economic benefits of the 2015 nuclear agreement alive. Ali Akbar Salehi said the European Union was “doing its best” after the United States pulled out of the deal and re-imposed sanctions on Iranian oil exports this month, even as the bloc’s efforts to salvage trade ties have floundered. Russia/FSU/Europe Russia warns US against deploying new missiles to Europe Associated Press11/26/18 A senior Russian diplomat warned Monday that the planned U.S. withdrawal from a Cold War-era arms control pact could critically upset stability in Europe. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Monday that if the U.S. deploys intermediate-range missiles in Europe after opting out of the treaty banning their use, it will allow Washington to reach targets deep inside Russia. Russia says it has no missiles violating nuclear arms pact with U.S. Reuters11/26/18 Russia’s foreign ministry on Monday denied having any missiles that violate the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces arms control treaty that the United States has said it plans to quit because of violations by Moscow. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that the missile that Washington has said is flouting the accord has not been tested at a range banned by the treaty. He said the U.S. decided Russia was guilty before receiving evidence to the contrary. U.S. Nuclear Policy Air Force: No bomber presence over the Korean Peninsula since talks Military Times11/26/18 The Air Force has not conducted any bomber missions over the Korean Peninsula in the months since President Donald Trump this summer called for a suspension of exercises in support of diplomatic talks with North Korea, the service’s top general in the Pacific region told reporters Monday. “We’ve been flying the same amount of bomber missions,” said Air Force Gen. Charles Brown, commander of U.S. Air Forces Pacific. “What we haven’t done is over Korea.” Opinion and Analysis Why Saudi Arabia Will Acquire Nuclear Weapons The National InterestPaul Pillar 11/26/18 If the Trump administration continues to turn its nuclear negotiations into a boondoggle, then nothing will prevent Riyadh from building bombs. The nuclear threat is rising. Europe cannot just stand and watch The GuardianWilfred Wan 11/26/18 Systematic engagement in nuclear risk reduction can result in measured concrete action. At a time when the nuclear risk on the continent is acute, European states have every reason to take the lead.