Ever since then British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett got sacked a day or two after making a speech on disarmament at last year’s Carnegie Conference, British officials have been at pains to point out that the two events were entirely unconnected. Indeed, from what I’ve heard the current PM has a much stronger personal interest …
Albright and Shire on Disblement, Box
by | 2008-01-24 | 6 Comments
David Albright and Jackie Shirer have a really excellent op-ed in the Washington Post arguing that North Korea has significantly met its commitments to disable its plutonium production facilities and declare past nuclear activities. (For recent blog posts on disablement and the declaration, see Its All About (Water) Chemistry and NORKs Miss Deadline, Slow Disablement) …
Preemptive Nukes in NATO?
by | 2008-01-22 | 27 Comments
Five retired military strategists from key NATO countries — including Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs under Pres. Clinton and former NATO commander — have authored a manifesto on NATO’s future saying among other things that: The first use of nuclear weapons must remain in the quiver of escalation as the ultimate instrument …
No Policy Review on Six Party Talks
by | 2008-01-19 | 8 Comments
A couple of days ago, U.S. Special Envoy for Human Rights in North Korea Jay Lefkowitz falsely claimed that the Administration was reviewing its support for the Six Party talks, announcing that “It is appropriate now to reevaluate – to look at what has worked and what has not.” Calling Lefkowtiz a “bright, dedicated person” …
