Obama Reaffirms Nuclear Agenda

On the radar: Nonproliferation, reductions, and fissile materials; Not just a gadget; Rep. Smith on reductions; Next steps in arms control; and World surrenders after test, says The Onion.

February 13, 2013 | Edited by Benjamin Loehrke and Alyssa Demus

Renewed commitments - In last night’s State of Union address, President Obama’s promise to pursue further nuclear reductions “represents a renewal of the President’s commitment to pursue a step-by-step plan toward a world without nuclear weapons,” writes Daryl Kimball at Arms Control Now. Full analysis here. http://owl.li/hG6IE

Speech - ”America will continue to lead the effort to prevent the spread of the world’s most dangerous weapons. The regime in North Korea must know they will only achieve security and prosperity by meeting their international obligations. Provocations of the sort we saw last night will only further isolate them, as we stand by our allies, strengthen our own missile defense and lead the world in taking firm action in response to these threats.”

--”Likewise, the leaders of Iran must recognize that now is the time for a diplomatic solution, because a coalition stands united in demanding that they meet their obligations, and we will do what is necessary to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon.”

--”At the same time, we’ll engage Russia to seek further reductions in our nuclear arsenals, and continue leading the global effort to secure nuclear materials that could fall into the wrong hands -- because our ability to influence others depends on our willingness to lead and meet our obligations.” http://owl.li/hG715

Carney 1, Sanger 0 - Asked if the State of the Union address would include calls for further nuclear cuts as reported in The New York Times, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, “I do not anticipate a new announcement in the State of the Union address.” Seems Carney was right. http://1.usa.gov/12yfrOc

Welcome to Early Warning - Subscribe to our morning email or follow us on twitter.

--Have a tip or feedback for the editor? Email earlywarning@ploughshares.org earlywarning@ploughshares.org. Want to support this work? Click here.

Bigger, Juch-ier, more destructive - North Korea’s test of a more powerful, potentially miniaturized nuclear device indicates it is pursuing an arsenal of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. “Do we believe them?” asks Jeffrey Lewis in Foreign Policy. Lewis compares the North’s recent history and its possible paths to an operational arsenal, which lead him to suggest analysts should take North Korea’s claims seriously and think differently on how to attempt to manage the North Korean threat. http://atfp.co/Y8Fb0K

Tweet - @blakehounshell: How does America's nuclear arsenal stack up against North Korea's? CHARTED http://bit.ly/Y8KoFF

Quote - “I support the President’s call to reduce the nuclear arsenal, which will strengthen security and help us address the most urgent threats of the 21st century...We can reduce the size of our nuclear arsenal, potentially saving billions of dollars and strengthening national security, while at the same time maintaining a strong deterrent and the ability to destroy any entity that threatens our nation with nuclear weapons,” said House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) in a press release last night. http://1.usa.gov/V9qznt

Additional steps - President Obama’s reported plans to reduce the U.S. nuclear arsenal to 1,000-1,100 warheads “is sound policy,” write Michael O’Hanlon and Steven Pifer in Reuters. The authors suggest the President follow reductions with additional steps, including bringing Russia on board with a new reductions treaty, dealing with nonstrategic and non-deployed warheads, cooperative on missile defense, and several more. Full article here. http://owl.li/hGdcU

Tweet - @AFGSC_CC: @AirmanMagazine captures the duty and responsibilities of #missileers standing alert 24/7 at Minot. http://t.co/6d7oDgHK

Pakistan missile test -Pakistan recently tested its Hatf-IX, a 60-kilometer ranged missile. Usman Ansari of Defense News has the story. http://owl.li/hGf29

Events:

--”Evolving Global Security Challenges: From Traditional to Nontraditional Security Challenges.” Joe Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund. February 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. @ Monterey Institute of International Studies. Live stream here. http://owl.li/hrbm7

--Budget Hearing: National Nuclear Security Administration Weapon Activities. February 14, 10:00 a.m. @ Rayburn House Office Building Rm. 2362-B. http://owl.li/htgVW

--”Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons: A Pragmatic Re-appraisal.” Talk by Ward Wilson. February 14, 3:30-5:00 p.m. @ American University, School of International Service. http://owl.li/hkKOD

--”The Korean Peninsula Issues.” Institute for Corean-American Studies. February 15, 1:00-4:30 p.m. @ Rayburn Office Building, Room B. http://owl.li/hr2Ag

--”Iran’s Nuclear Program: Is a Peaceful Solution Possible?” Amb. Thomas Pickering and Kenneth Pollack. February 19, 10:00-11:30 a.m. @ The Brookings Institution, Faulk Auditorium. Details here.http://owl.li/hCGQy

--”Nuclear Policy Challenges,” Joe Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund. February 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m. @ UW Milwaukee Institute of World Affairs. Details Here. http://owl.li/hCHz1

Dessert:

Awkward - “Iran calls for end to nuclear arms after North Korean test,” from Reuters. http://reut.rs/12fMLhL

Capitulation -“Following reports earlier this morning that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea successfully conducted its third nuclear test, sources confirmed that every nation on the planet has surrendered to the mighty East Asian dictatorship,” quips The Onion. http://owl.li/hGh3l