Avatar photoDPRK Panel of Experts

I have a new post up over at 38 North looking at the role of the Panel of Experts supporting the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) — the resolution establishing sanctions on the DPRK. I had originally intended to list the panel members in a box accompanying the article, but it …

Avatar photoTeam B

Thankfully, I have never laid eyes on plans to fight a nuclear war. The biggest advantages to not knowing these plans are that my sleep habits and powers of analysis have not been further impaired. Knowledge is usually a good thing, but knowledge of nuclear targeting plans can be a hindrance — if this material …

Avatar photoWhen the Navy Declassifies …

I always figured the number of Tomahawk cruise missiles in the Navy inventory was a classified number. Turns out, the Navy has been publishing the number since at least 1997. The Navy also, between 1997-2000, published the number of TLAM/N nuclear warheads. Amazing the things you learn from the defense budget.

Avatar photoIran Mil Power Report

In April 2012, the Defense Department released another edition of the (purportedly) annual Report to Congress on the Military Power of Iran. As in 2010, I am struck by the arbitrariness of headline that has emerged.  This year it is: “Iran’s Ballistic Missiles Improving.” So, that’s what the report says and it happens to be …