Avatar photoNo More 721 Reports

The FY 2013 Intelligence Authorization Act repeals the requirement for “721 Reports” — officially known as the biannual Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions. This is a terrible decision.  Most transparent administration in history, my ass. Barack Obama should not be held to a …

Avatar photoSDI RIP

The thirtieth anniversary of President Ronald Reagan’s surprise roll-out of the Strategic Defense Initiative has been duly noted within narrow circles. The section of my shoe box files devoted to SDI is thick and inviting. The 4 X 6 card at the front end is a note to self: “The national security of the United …

Avatar photoWriting on the Wall

You know who tries to deter cyber-attacks with nuclear weapons?  North Korea, that’s who. North Korea released a statement that Kim Jong Il had “ratified the plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike” against “the U.S. mainland, their stronghold, their military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam…” …

Avatar photoPierre Noir, Again

About a year ago, I wrote about the case of Pierre Noir, the first IAEA inspector to die on the job.  Noir died of a heart attack while inspecting a nuclear reactor in Taiwan on January 30, 1978.  I am teaching that episode in class today. Last year, I was able to hunt down — …