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Ploughshares Blog: China

As a major nuclear weapons state, China plays a key role in both Russian and North Korean (DPRK) nuclear policy. Following is analysis and opinion from Ploughshares Fund staff, grantees and guests on the ongoing struggle to deal with nuclear weapons in China.
Senator Blocking Cabinet Nominee Over Funds for Failing Plutonium Plant
  On the radar: Carolina pork holder; Gen. Kehler on Minot; Perspective on no first use; Nominations; New START by 2017; B-61 undermining/underpinning triad; and North Korean traffic cop gets state’s highest award.   Read more »
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Posted on May 10, 2013
Examining the North Korean Crisis
Since its most recent nuclear test on February 12, 2013, there has been a lot of attention to and activity around North Korea. The test – it’s third and most “successful” to date – elicited a predictable response in the passage of additional U.N. Security Council sanctions the. But the fact that the sanctions passed unanimously – with China’s consent – is significant, although it is still unclear if this marks a shift in Chinese policy toward North Korea. In short, the North’s latest behavior seems to have raised the game with respect to the stability and security in Northeast Asia. Read more »
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Posted by admin on April 2, 2013
China, North Korea, Joe Cirincione, Joel Rubin, Joel Wit, Paul Carroll, South Korea, U.N. Security Council, Video, United States
Time to Break the North Korean Cycle
It will be days or weeks before the world knows much about the nuclear test conducted by North Korea mid-day Tuesday local time in Pyongyang. What was its actual yield? What did it use – plutonium or highly enriched uranium, or some combination? Did it perform as expected? What will the international response be? Is this a game changer? Read more »
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Posted by Paul Carroll on February 12, 2013
China, North Korea, Pyongyang, Seoul, United States
Trident Renewal Not Affordable or Strategically Sound, says Former UK Defence Secretary
  On the radar: Scaling back Trident; $10.4 billion bomb unaffordable; Khamenei rejects direct talks; MOX not viable; Sanctions effects questioned; China’s reaction to DPRK; and Former Target manager tapped for NNSA security chief.   Read more »
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Posted on February 7, 2013
Sequestration and the Nuclear Budget
  On the radar: Colossal nuclear price tag; 1 test, $170 million; Budget cutters eye MOX; Obama’s second term arms control agenda; Next steps in arms control; Hagel’s reputation in Iran; China looks into missile defense; Russia on talks with Iran; and North Korean propaganda gets trippy, destructive.   Read more »
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Posted on February 6, 2013
Diplomacy with Iran: Delays and Potential Deals
  On the radar: Iran playing hard to get; a 20% deal; China warns N. Korea; Missile forensics; Less prompt, less global strike; and Taking a dip in a spent fuel pond.   Read more »
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Posted on January 25, 2013
Missile Defense Budget Boondoggle
On the radar: Puzzling support for East Coast missile defense; Waiting on nuclear talks; Iran Alternatives; Speculating on Syria’s Uranium Stores; France stands by its nukes; Hagel on Iran; and Preventing nuclear sabotage. Read more »
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Posted on January 10, 2013
Apocalypse Averted, Nuclear Threat Remains
On the radar: Actual existential threats; North Korea-Iran cooperation; Suspect uranium enrichment facilities in DPRK; Dealing with Khamenei; Y-12 break-in still evident; MidEast WMD-free zone; and Celebrating the apocalypse in a Russian bunker. Read more »
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Posted on December 21, 2012
How Many Nukes Should the US Have?
On the radar: Pincus asks the question; Abbasi posturing on 20 percent; 2nd term priorities; Reengaging on DPRK; Missile debris; British sub went down to Georgia; and Baneberry, 42 years later. Read more »
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Posted on December 18, 2012
North Korea’s Launch: Initial Analysis and Responses
On the radar: Launch appears successful; WH statement; Sanctions likely coming; Questions on IAEA’s data; Cold cooperation; Responses to the launch; HEU removed from Austria; and Full retaliation if POTUS killed during attack. Read more »
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Posted on December 12, 2012