Chemical Weapons Use by Syria Still Uncertain

On the radar: White House on Syria chemical weapons; Early report: Iran talks on Jan 28; Hagel on military action, sanctions; Nuclear myths and realities; Iranian politicos call for nuclear talks; Verification challenges in NE Asia; and Russia’s new nuclear sub.

January 16, 2013 | Edited by Mary Kaszynski

Muddled media - The administration downplayed reports of chemical weapons use by Syria, although the White House statement did not directly comment on the source of the reports, a leaked State Department cable. “[Media reporting] has not been consistent with what we believe to be true about the Syrian chemical weapons program,” says the White House statement.

--“If the Assad regime makes the tragic mistake of using chemical weapons, or fails to meet its obligation to secure them, the regime will be held accountable,” the statement reads, affirming the administration’s stated position on chemical weapons use as a redline. The New York Times reports. http://nyti.ms/13BjLib

Syria chemical cable - The State Department cable asserting the Syrian military likely used the chemical agent BZ in an attack last month is based on interviews with Syrian activists, doctors, and defectors. The cable’s conclusion differs from previous U.S. assessments. Foreign Policy with the scoop. http://atfp.co/VYXUiB

Breaking - Iran and the P5+1 will resume talks on January 28, according to a report by the Iranian Students' News Agency and confirmed by a diplomat in Vienna. The location of the negotiations has not been decided, Reuters reports. http://reut.rs/13CPQai

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Hagel on Iran policy - “Senator Hagel made a crystal-clear promise [in a meeting yesterday] that he would do 'whatever it takes' to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, including the use of military force,” reads a statement by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in support of the Defense secretary nominee.

--“Senator Hagel clarified that he ‘completely’ supports President Obama’s current sanctions against Iran. He added that further unilateral sanctions against Iran could be effective and necessary,” the statement adds. Full text here: http://on.wsj.com/10wyHAi

Tweet - @NTI_GSN: Iran, IAEA Launch Discussions in Tehran bit.ly/WdbegE

Nuclear myths - “The alleged war-prevention benefits of nuclear weapons, then, are often overstated and must be weighed against the danger that they will be used,” writes Kingston Reif in The Bulletin.

--“The continued maintenance by the United States of thousands of nuclear weapons is not necessary to deter the nuclear threats its allies face today,” the author concludes. “The United States should work closely with allies to strengthen common interests as a demonstration of its resolve to protect them.” http://bit.ly/UopofI

NE Asia WMDFZ - The Northeast Asia region presents unique challenges for a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone , including the “irreversible and verifiable’ dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear program, writes Olli Heinonen in an examination of regional monitoring and verification issues. http://bit.ly/S2RBtL

Tweet - @mattduss: Open letter from former members of Iranian parliament calling for bilateral US-Iran talks to resolve nuclear issue. http://huff.to/XCFzqw

Russia’s new SSBN - Russia’s new nuclear-armed submarine, SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, can carry 16 ballistic missiles, each with multiple warheads with a payload of up to 150KT - “enough armarment to start World War III and IV.” Gizmodo has some fun facts on the sub. http://bit.ly/Vh749t