Top News: Lawmakers set for battle over next-gen nuclear missile Military Times. Talk of a nuclear deterrent in South Korea Foreign Policy ANALYSIS: Anticipating the Biden Nuclear Posture Review Real Clear Defense United States Lawmakers set for battle over next-gen nuclear missile Military Times9/9/21 Congressional debates intensify over funding the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, with some lawmakers favoring an extension of Minuteman III missiles or shifting funding towards domestic programs. ANALYSIS: Anticipating the Biden Nuclear Posture Review Real Clear DefenseJohn R. Harvey 9/9/21 President Biden’s Nuclear Posture Review may address several contemporary debates related to modernization costs, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, plutonium production, and U.S. declaratory policy. OPINION: A bipartisan call to stay the course on US Homeland Missile Defense Breaking DefenseWalter Slocombe, Robert Soofer 9/10/21 It is imperative for missile defense efforts to continue to protect the U.S. against missile threats from rogue actors, provide more flexible military options in crises, and reassure U.S. allies. PODCAST: Mad cows and practical wisdom War on the RocksJohn Emery, Doyle Hodges 9/10/21 The history of the RAND Corporation’s Cold War Games (COW) provides insight into nuclear strategy and national security decision-making. East Asia Talk of a nuclear deterrent in South Korea Foreign Policy9/9/21 Revelations of activities at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex have renewed calls in South Korea for a nuclear-sharing agreement with the U.S. or the indigenous development of nuclear weapons. ANALYSIS: North Korea and U.S. missile defense capabilities The National Bureau of Asian ResearchAnkit Panda 9/8/21 To address North Korea’s continued missile activities, Congress should bolster U.S. missile defense capabilities by increasing oversight of the Ground-based Missile Defense system, requesting a Department of Defense study to assess North Korea’s capabilities, and exploring how missile defense can be leveraged to accomplish arms control objectives. ANALYSIS: Nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) in Asia Pacific Asia-Pacific Leadership NetworkPeter Hayes 9/10/21 The presence of multiple nuclear-armed states in the Asia-Pacific mandates a thorough examination of the legal standards, norms of conduct, and interstate interactions of nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) systems. OPINION: Free, open digital networks can tip the balance against China The HillJohn Erath 9/3/21 With the recent focus on China’s expanding nuclear arsenal, prospects for arms control, and regional military balances, U.S. policy debates have neglected to consider how non-military means can impact competition. In particular, digital networks can enable the free flow of information and allow for exposure to democratic ideas within China that provides the U.S. an advantage in competition. Middle East OPINION: Deciphering Iran’s nuclear strategy Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceAriel Levite 9/10/21 The former principal deputy director general for policy at the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission says that the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program and diplomatic stalling aligns with the underlying drivers of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.