Arms Control Wonk

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Developments at the Korla Missile Test Base

Now for a brief interlude from our North Korea programming…I’ve written a few posts here and here on the Korla Missile Test Base. A colleague sent me a note last week asking if I’ve looked at any recent satellite imagery…

Episode44 min

North Korea’s KN-11 Goes Kablooie

North Korea tested a submarine launched ballistic missile called the KN-11. The North Koreans released footage of the test that showed the missile soaring into the heavens. A close analysis of the footage by the Middlebury Institute team, however, determined…

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So Far, So Good on the Subcontinent

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s whirlwind surprise visit to Lahore on Christmas Day, there was little doubt that spoilers in Pakistan would try to derail improved relations. The operative questions were where, when, and whether the attackers would succeed in shutting down…

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Video Analysis of DPRK SLBM Footage

The DPRK released footage on 8 January from a purportedly successful KN-11 SLBM test. There have been press reports that the US intelligence community detected a failed ejection test in November, followed by a successful ejection test in December.  “No…

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Responding to North Korea’s Nuclear Test

Predictably, the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page has declared, “North Korea’s test shows the continuing failure of arms control.” The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has 183 signatories and 164 ratifications. It sets a global norm against testing nuclear devices that…

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North Korean H-Bomb Docs

KCTV has released images of the cover pages of two documents relating to the test, both of which have instructions written by Kim Jong Un.  One of our GRA’s, the multitalented Bo Kim, translated the cover page and Kim’s instructions. It’s…

Episode31 min

North Korea Tested an H-Bomb?

North Korea tested a nuclear weapon, claiming it was an H-bomb. Was it? Aaron Stein returns to talk with Jeffrey about North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Sleuthing From the Internet Jeffrey Lewis, “New Nuclear Test Tunnel Under Construction at North…

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Year’s End Kudos, 2015 Edition

A year of mostly bad headlines is almost behind us. ‘Tis the season not to dwell on sorrows, but to remember reasons for gratitude and good cheer. So let us pause to acknowledge those who took steps to reduce nuclear…

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Global Warming Up; Arms Control Down

Climate change has displaced nuclear risk reduction as an intense focus of national leaders and activists across the globe. This sense of commitment was reflected in the Paris pact that sets targets to reduce harmful emissions to slow the pace…

Episode42 min

Russian Cruise Missiles

Russian cruise missiles are in the news lately, from allegations from strikes in Syria to ongoing allegations that Russia is violating the 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Why are the Russians so nutty for cruise missiles? Jeffrey talks to…