This is the spot where the Defense Threat Reduction Agency eliminated Albania’s chemical weapons stockpile. I’ve spent the last few weeks ruminating on the challenges of finding a third party to accept Syria’s chemical weapons. Most Syria’s stockpile is in bulk form (mustard and precursors for sarin and VX.) The current plan is to consolidate the …
FYRP: P5+1 Debrief
by | 2013-10-29 | No Comments
After a departure from our regular content, it returns! P5+1 Briefing – US Dept. of State | Finally, the text of the background briefing on the P5+1 negotiations! I wonder what the entrance to the negotiations looked like… Aside from this briefing, details have been scarce. Majid Rafizadeh – CNN | The main question everyone is asking: …
Pakistan’s Red-Carpet Treatment
by | 2013-10-27 | 44 Comments
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his key civilian advisers received the red-carpet treatment in Washington last week. The Prime Minister’s state visit — the first official trip of a Pakistani leader in a decade – including meetings with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary Kerry, Defense Secretary Hagel, NSC Adviser Rice and CIA Director Brennan. …
The IR-40 and Diplomacy
by | 2013-10-24 | 33 Comments
Because neither side has disclosed details, we don’t know for sure whether the roadmap Iran proposed to the P5+1 powers in Geneva in mid-October includes the future of the IR-40 reactor project. Iran’s counterparts have good reason to make sure that the unfinished heavy water reactor is on a short list of must-resolve issues. Once …
