Top News: ANALYSIS: Why Trump’s retreat from U.S. allies could have nuclear consequences Defense One Nuclear threat against North Korea ‘continues unabated’, U.N. ambassador tells Assembly UN News Bipartisan congressional task force recommends extending nuclear treaty with Russia The Hill United States ANALYSIS: Why Trump’s retreat from U.S. allies could have nuclear consequences Defense OneEric Brewer 10/1/20 For decades, America gave allies and partners good reason to shelve their nuclear-weapons efforts. ANALYSIS: Modern nuclear-armed competitors require a new US approach to managing escalation Defense NewsMadison Estes 9/30/20 In 2020, it would be out of touch with reality to deny that the risk of a nuclear exchange is on the rise because of strategic competition, technologies that open new escalation pathways, and the collapse of arms control. ANALYSIS: A foreign policy for the day after Trump Foreign AffairsRebecca Lissner, Mira Rapp-Hooper 9/30/20 Another enormous issue is on the ballot: the future of the United States’ role in the world. East Asia Nuclear threat against North Korea ‘continues unabated’, U.N. ambassador tells Assembly UN News9/29/20 During the past several decades, North Korea has done “everything possible” to safeguard peace and security on the Korean peninsula, the country’s representative told the UN high-level General Debate on Tuesday. North Korea has a ‘reliable and effective war deterrent,’ envoy tells U.N. NBC9/29/20 “Genuine peace can only be safeguarded when one possesses the absolute strength to prevent war itself,” Ambassador Kim Song said. China balks at U.S. efforts for nuclear arms talks Japan Times9/30/20 During the Cold War, the nuclear landscape was dominated by the globe-spanning U.S.–Soviet bipolar rivalry. OPINION: China needs to answer for its North Korea policy Wallstreet JournalJohn Bolton 9/29/20 Beijing has long avoided paying any kind of price for its acquiescence to the Kim regime’s games. Middle East U.N. nuclear watchdog inspects second Iranian site as agreed with Tehran Reuters9/30/20 The U.N. nuclear watchdog has inspected the second of two suspected former secret atomic sites in Iran, as agreed with Tehran last month in a deal that ended a standoff over access, the agency said on Wednesday. Saudi cabinet: International community must deal firmly with Iran’s nuclear violations U.S. News9/29/20 Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s position that the international community must take a firm stand towards Iran, and deal seriously against its violations related to its nuclear program, the state news agency reported in a statement early on Wednesday. Russia and Europe Bipartisan congressional task force recommends extending nuclear treaty with Russia The Hill9/29/20 A bipartisan congressional task force is recommending the extension of a nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia that is set to expire in February. ANALYSIS: Non-strategic nuclear weapons: The Kremlin’s wild card Jamestown FoundationPavel Luzin 9/29/20 Russia’s recently adopted “Foundations of Russian Federation State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence” pointedly does not differentiate between strategic and non-strategic nuclear weapons. Multilateral Arms Control Malaysia ratifies U.N. nuclear weapon ban treaty ICAN9/29/20 Malaysia has become the 46th nation to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.