Missile Defense Budget Boondoggle

On the radar: Puzzling support for East Coast missile defense; Waiting on nuclear talks; Iran Alternatives; Speculating on Syria’s Uranium Stores; France stands by its nukes; Hagel on Iran; and Preventing nuclear sabotage.

January 10, 2013 | Edited by Mary Kaszynski and Marianne Nari Fisher

BMD boondoggle - The inclusion of $100 million for a study on East Coast missile defense in the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act was a strange move for a Congress grappling with budget constraints, writes Jeff Lewis in Foreign Policy. Congressional support for bringing the ground-based midcourse system to the East Coast is also out of step with the National Academy of Sciences findings on the ineffectiveness of the current GMD system.

-- If the military services took over for MDA, missile defense systems may struggle to survive under higher standards for cost-effectiveness. “This ought to be the point,” Lewis concludes. “Reasonable defense planning is about making tradeoffs to maximize security.” http://atfp.co/VNiHW5

Waiting on Iran’s RSVP - With no date set for the next round of nuclear negotiations, some wonder if Iran may be stalling. However, U.S. officials say “we’re actively working on getting agreement on a date and venue.” Although timing is tight, talks could possibly happen as early as next week. Al-Monitor’s Laura Rozen with the story. http://bit.ly/UNr7em

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Tweet - @KenDilanianLAT: Experts debate North Korea's missile goals and capability http://lat.ms/13i8Dri

Report: Diplomatic Options - “Negotiators cannot afford to rely only on proposals that failed to gain traction during the three rounds of talks held last year,” writes Arms Control Association’s Kelsey Davenport in an analysis of alternatives that include short-term confidence-building measures and long-term comprehensive proposals.

--Full report, “Options for a Diplomatic Solution to the Iranian Nuclear Challenge,” here (pdf). http://bit.ly/WSymQH

Uranium in Syria - A secret 50 metric tons of uranium stashed away in Syria may be in the crossfire of antagonists, “making Israel and some Western governments nervous,” says Mark Hibbs. Marj as-Sultan is the likely location for the materials, as “we had all been told by informants that the material was someplace on the outskirts of Damascus.”

--But skepticism remains. “Had anyone clearly identified nuclear fuel rods or assemblies at Marj as-Sultan before the war broke out? Not to my knowledge.” Full story at Arms Control Wonk. http://bit.ly/UB9HQp

Quote - Nuclear weapons are “a deterrent force that allows us protection against all threats and allows us to play a strong role on the world stage," said French President Francois Hollande in light of anticipated reductions of its nuclear force. Global Security Newswire has the story. http://bit.ly/VINLUK

Pulling nukes from Scotland to cost $5.6bil - If Scotland votes for secession in 2014, the UK may have to withdraw its nuclear weapons and delivery systems, a move that could cost $5.6 billion. Global Security Newswire has the details. http://bit.ly/Xn8jDi

Hagel at DOD - In meetings with Pentagon officials yesterday, defense secretary nominee Sen. Chuck Hagel set the record straight on his Iran stance.

--Sen. Hagel “strongly supports multilateral sanctions against Iran” and “believes all options, including military action, should be on the table,” defense officials said. NPR reports. http://n.pr/WSzy6S

Unintended Consequences - China and Russia are considering collaboration on missile defense efforts in response to U.S. missile defense plans, GSN reports. http://bit.ly/Vmcd0Y

NRC ramps up arms - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is looking to outfit current security guards protecting spent fuel storage sites with high-capacity weapons, an upgrade intended to fend off attempts at “radiological sabotage,” reports The Hill. http://bit.ly/13hrra1

Tweet - @TalkingWarheads: 10 years ago today, North Korea announced its immediate withdrawal from the NPT.