A comparative study of greenhouse gas control policies in several large industrial nations was presented in another report (pdf) from the Congressional Research Service that has not been made readily available to the public. “All of the countries examined have in place, or are developing, some enforceable policies that serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” […]
Why do Americans have to pay far more for health care than do citizens of other countries who receive comparable or even superior service? A new report (pdf) from the Congressional Research Service does not answer that question, but it does provide some insight into the role of the health insurance industry in generating those […]
Last week, my ace research assistant, Ivanka Bazashka, and I published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists an analysis of Iran’s recently revealed Fordow uranium enrichment facility, lying just north of Qom. In summary, we concluded that the timing of the construction and announcement of the facility did not prove an Iranian intention to deceive […]
“The only ones who are spending the money and time translating Jihad literature are the Western intelligence services,” wrote Islamic radical Anwar al-Awlaki, “and too bad, they would not be willing to share it with you.” (“Born in U.S., a Radical Cleric Inspires Terror” by Scott Shane, New York Times, November 19). In fact, a […]
Facing a rising number of suicides in its ranks, the U.S. Army last week published new guidance (pdf) for improving the mental health of soldiers and for preventing or responding to suicide attempts. “The key to the prevention of suicide is positive leadership and deep concern by supervisors of military personnel and [Army] civilian employees […]
By Hans M. Kristensen North Korea’s news agency – Korean Central News Agency – apparently has issued a statement saying that “The Federation of American Scientists of the United States has confirmed (North) Korea as a nuclear weapon state.” According to a report in the Korea Herald, the statement said a FAS publication issued in […]
.The world’s approximately 23,300 nuclear weapons are stored at an estimated 111 locations in 14 countries, according to an overview produced by FAS and NRDC. Nearly half of the weapons are operationally deployed with delivery systems capable of launching on short notice. The overview is published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and includes […]
Development of a new executive order on classification of national security information is now proceeding at an accelerated pace in order to preempt a deadline that would require the declassification of millions of pages of historical records next month. A revised draft executive order was circulated to executive branch agencies by the Office of Management […]
Noteworthy new reports from the Congressional Research Service that have not been made readily available to the public include the following (all pdf). “Status of the Copenhagen Climate Change Negotiations,” November 5, 2009. “An Overview of the Nonprofit and Charitable Sector,” November 17, 2009. “Advertising Industry in the Digital Age,” November 9, 2009.
A new report (pdf) from the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence describes Iran’s naval order of battle, as well as the Iranian Navy’s history, strategic options, and favored tactics. “Today, Iran’s naval forces protect Iranian waters and natural resources, especially Iran’s petroleum-related assets and industries. Iranian maritime security operations guard against the smuggling of illegal […]
China’s newest nuclear submarines are noisier than 1970s-era Soviet nuclear submarines. . By Hans M. Kristensen China’s new Jin-class ballistic missile submarine is noisier than the Russian Delta III-class submarines built more than 30 years ago, according to a report produced by the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). The report The People’s Liberation […]
Claims that nuclear weapons need to be as safe as a coffee table might drive warhead replacement By Hans M. Kristensen and Ivan Oelrich The latest study from the JASON panel is an unambiguous rejection of claims made by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the nuclear weapon labs, defense secretary Robert Gates, and U.S. […]