Avatar photoHow Long an “Interim”?

Critics of the interim agreement suggest that we wait for sanctions to have more bite. But while we wait, Iran’s stockpile of fissile materials will grow, and the Arak reactor moves closer to completion. Another alternative would be to bomb the Arak reactor and Iran’s enrichment facilities. This option will remain available, but why choose …

Avatar photoInterim Deal with Iran

Update | Read the text of the Joint Plan of Action. From the White House release: Halting the Progress of Iran’s Program and Rolling Back Key Elements Iran has committed to halt enrichment above 5%: Halt all enrichment above 5% and dismantle the technical connections required to enrich above 5%. Iran has committed to neutralize its …

Avatar photoThe Curious Case of Red Mercury

Reader Chris Camp, who submitted as essay on disarmament “winners and losers“, has been thinking about the curious tale of Red Mercury lately.  He sends along this dispatch: The curious tale of Red Mercury by Chris Camp  In the lore of any field there are stories that, while not driving the narrative forward, give it …

Avatar photoFYRP: Iran Talks, Round 2

Well, it’s been a while, but it has returned! Safeguards Report – IAEA Board of Governors | “No additional major components have been installed at the IR-40 Reactor; the production of UO2 for fuel assemblies for the reactor has continued at FMP; no additional fuel assemblies have yet been completed.”  That’s a win.  Although we …