Top News Pentagon says hypersonic weapons are too expensive Reuters EU envoy to visit Iran Thursday amid nuclear talks push France 24 South Korea’s top nuclear envoy says Russia’s role ‘important’ in restarting North Korea talks Yonhap United States Pentagon says hypersonic weapons are too expensive Reuters10/12/21 The Pentagon is hoping for defense contractors to decrease the costs of hypersonic weapons. OPINION: Profiteers of Armageddon Center for International PolicyWilliam Hartung 10/12/21 Continued lobbying by defense contractors and special interest groups for the Pentagon and Department of Energy’s nuclear modernization plan encourages the “dangerous, unnecessary, and unaffordable” creation of nuclear weapons and fuels a new arms race. OPINION: Congress must untie Biden’s hands on Taiwan Washington PostRep. Elaine Luria 10/11/21 Congress should ensure that the president has legal authority to respond to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan without authorization from Congress. The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act is a good starting point, but more needs to be done. Middle East EU envoy to visit Iran Thursday amid nuclear talks push France 2410/13/21 EU envoy Enrique Mora is set to visit Iran on October 14 as world leaders push for an immediate return to nuclear talks. Israel’s nuclear weapons are the true Middle East threat, Iran warns UN The Jerusalem Post10/13/21 Iranian and Syrian envoys to the UN said that Israel’s nuclear weapons are a threat to the Middle East and called for a regional nuclear-weapon-free zone. East Asia South Korea’s top nuclear envoy says Russia’s role ‘important’ in restarting North Korea talks Yonhap10/13/21 South Korea’s nuclear envoy requested that Russia remains involved in efforts to restart talks with North Korea. ANALYSIS: China’s missile silos and the Sino-Indian nuclear competition War on the RocksDebak Das 10/13/21 China’s nuclear buildup may create stark asymmetries in Sino-Indian nuclear dynamics, but India’s response will likely be limited to focusing on its second-strike capabilities and balance with Pakistan. Pacific OPINION: Australia’s nuclear-powered subs should be built in America The StrategistJames Kell 10/13/21 Given Australia’s current capabilities, it would be inefficient and expensive to produce nuclear submarines for the AUKUS deal in Australia. Instead, the submarines should be built in America, where production timelines can be shortened. International EVENT: Addressing Today’s Nuclear Challenges: Findings from a UNIDIR Dialogue United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research10/14/21 In a side event to the UN First Committee, participants will discuss the non-use of nuclear weapons, strategic arms control for the 21st century, and nuclear disarmament efforts