Top News Pentagon’s top nuclear policy official ousted in new reorganization Politico New Iranian president calls for resumption of nuclear talks in UN speech The Hill King Supports ICBM Refresh on Submarine Fears; Says China Weighs Heavy on Nuclear Posture Review Exchange Monitor United States Pentagon’s top nuclear policy official ousted in new reorganization Politico9/21/21 The Department of Defense eliminated the position of deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy in departmental reorganization efforts. King Supports ICBM Refresh on Submarine Fears; Says China Weighs Heavy on Nuclear Posture Review Exchange Monitor9/21/21 Senator Agnus King expressed support for the modernization of the ground-based strategic deterrence program. He also emphasized the importance of the upcoming Nuclear Posture Review, especially regarding China, Russia, and proliferation issues. B-83 86’ed? Not if GOP can help it. Politico9/21/21 Congressional Democrats and Republicans battle over the funding of the B-83 gravity bomb, debating its ability to deter great power threats. Secret Talks and a Hidden Agenda: Behind the U.S. Defense Deal That France Called a ‘Betrayal’ The New York Times9/17/21 The U.S., UK, and Australia secretly negotiated AUKUS for months without notifying France. Middle East New Iranian president calls for resumption of nuclear talks in UN speech The Hill9/21/21 At the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called for the resumption of nuclear talks, citing his desire for sanctions relief. Pacific ANALYSIS: Why the AUKUS submarine deal is bad for nonproliferation – and what to do about it Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceJames Acton 9/21/21 The AUKUS submarine deal sets a dangerous precedent where potential proliferators might use IAEA inspection loopholes in nuclear submarine programs as cover to pursue nuclear weapons. East Asia Air Force secretary warns China could make ‘catastrophic mistake’ with its nuclear weapons Task & Purpose9/21/21 The Secretary of the Air Force warned that China’s construction of ICBM silos could indicate goals of a first-strike capability, though experts note that any country with nuclear weapons already has a first-strike capability. OPINION: The U.S. should support South Korea’s nuclear submarine aspirations The DiplomatJihoon Yu and Erik French 9/20/21 Given the need for more capable U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. should support South Korea’s goals to attain nuclear submarines. Russia and Europe Panel: Australian Nuclear Sub Deal ‘Went Terribly Wrong’ with America’s NATO Allies United States Naval Institute News9/21/21 The AUKUS submarine deal raises doubts about the Biden Administration’s promise to actively engage with allies, particularly those in NATO.