Top News State Department discloses number of nukes in U.S. stockpile Associated Press Russian top diplomat, U.S. Secretary of State discuss Iranian nuclear deals, says MFA TASS IDF vows to continue striking Iran’s nuclear program Al-Monitor United States State Department discloses number of nukes in U.S. stockpile Associated Press10/5/21 The State Department has returned to nuclear transparency under the Biden Administration, revealing that the U.S. stockpile has 3,750 nuclear weapons that are active or in long-term storage. U.S. rules out “goodwill gesture” to get Iran back into negotiations Axios10/5/21 Following Iran’s call for the U.S. to release $10 billion in frozen funds, a U.S. official stated that concessions will not be made in order to re-engage Iran in nuclear talks. U.S. suspends authority to ship nuclear materials to China’s CGN Reuters10/5/21 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission suspended exports of radioactive materials and deuterium to China’s largest state-owned nuclear company to “further the national security interests of the United States.” Russia and Europe Blinken meetings with French officials yield no “concrete actions” to strengthen ties Wall Street Journal10/6/21 According to the State Department, Antony Blinken and French officials reached a common agreement to strengthen ties, though specific initiatives are still being identified. Russian top diplomat, U.S. Secretary of State discuss Iranian nuclear deals, says MFA TASS10/6/21 The Russian Foreign Minister and U.S. Secretary of State discussed efforts to restore the JCPOA. Middle East IDF vows to continue striking Iran’s nuclear program Al-Monitor10/6/21 In response to Iran’s calls for the UN to condemn Israeli attacks, the IDF’s Chief of Staff said that Israel will continue targeting Iran’s nuclear program. East Asia East Asia ANALYSIS: North Korea: New terminology portends ongoing policy shift 38 NorthRobert Carlin 10/5/21 In recent speeches, Kim Jong Un has referred to “balance” on the Korean Peninsula rather than “deterrence,” which may signal an ongoing policy shift that prioritizes improved relations with the South. International ANALYSIS: Applying arms-control frameworks to autonomous weapons BrookingsZachary Kallenborn 10/5/21 The existing arms control regime offers a model for how to minimize the global risks and proliferation potential of autonomous weapons. PODCAST: Hyping Hypersonics Press the ButtonPloughshares Fund 10/5/21 Participants discuss hypersonic missile advances around the world, risk reduction strategies, and North Korea’s recent hypersonic missile activity.