Only very rarely do I receive e-mail that makes me say: “Wow, that is an obscure question.” Eric Hundman from CDI e-mailed me to ask whether the term “special fissionable materials”—which appears in the NPT—had a specific definition. I dimly recalled something about the Zangger Committee, the 1970s, pet rocks and bell bottoms. I pointed …
Iran Ear Candy
by | 2006-08-24 | No Comments
For your information/listening pleasure: George Perkovich, Barbara Slavin, and Ray Takeyh shared their expertise on NPR the other day. Also, check out this podcast on Carah Ong’s blog of Trita Parsi and Jim Walsh talking to reporters. Carry on.
Cratology
by | 2006-08-23 | 5 Comments
The study of the size and function of shipping crates seen on photographs (from various sources). The size and configuration of a shipping crate often will indicate what is inside. Center for the Study of Intelligence, Glossary of Abbreviations John Diamond in USA Today has a great story on “cratology”—the art of determining the contents …
NORK Nuke Test Site
by | 2006-08-22 | 1 Comment
ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reports that North Korea is “unloading of large reels of cable outside P’unggye-yok, an underground facility in northeast North Korea [that] can be used in nuclear testing to connect an underground test site to outside observation equipment.” Without commenting on the merit of the report, I simply note that the P’unggye-yok …
