Avatar photoDeterrence: Past, Present, & Future

During a recent conference, where I was subjected to what I considered some knuckle-dragging commentary on deterrence, I created a fictional character that I called The Cold War Troglodyte, pictured above. Well, turn-about is fair play. I will be giving my own talk at which you can draw silly pictures of me and my ideas …

Avatar photoIran Claims Solid-Fueled 2 Stage Sejjil

I love my job. You probably noticed that the Iranians tested what Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar reportedly claimed is a two-stage, solid-fueled missile with a 1,200 mi range the other day. (Naijar gives an interview in the video, but it is in Farsi — little help? Open Source Center?) I don’t really see the …

Avatar photoTraces of Uranium at AlKibar?

Reader Allen Thomson sends along this image of the AlKibar dated 23 November 2007 showing an apparently thick slab of concrete over the remains of the BoE and one or two construction cranes erected on it. Credit:GeoEye/Space Imaging Middle East IKONOS Satellite Image. A very curious set of stories appeared yesterday about the results of …

Avatar photoMore Classified Nuclear NSPDs

Reinvigorating the Air Force Nuclear Enterprise by the Air Force Nuclear Task Force (24 October 2008) reveals the names of several more NSPDs relating to nuclear weapons: National Security Presidential Directive-3, Defense Strategy, Force Structure, and Procurement, 15 February 2001 (S) National Security Presidential Directive-4, Transforming Deterrence, 15 February 2001 (S) National Security Presidential Directive-10, …