Hint of Progress: US and Allies Talk Sanctions Relief

UN talks - “Major world powers have begun talks about a United Nations Security Council resolution to lift U.N. sanctions on Iran if a nuclear agreement is struck with Tehran, a step that could make it harder for the U.S. Congress to undo a deal.” A Security Council resolution on a nuclear deal could be legally binding, unlike the deal itself, a Western official told Reuters. http://reut.rs/19f3wQi

It’s all in the name - The U.S. and allies are aiming for a nuclear deal that would not be legally binding, enabling faster implementation and faster reimposition of sanctions if Iran cheats. Critics argue that the administration’s preference for a nonbinding agreement over a treaty is an attempt to avoid congressional involvement.

--“At the end of the day, it’s still politically binding,” former U.S. negotiator Richard Nephew notes. “Commitments are made. What’s the real consequence to Iran? If it were a treaty or legally binding and they violate it, that has significance. But the bigger impact is sanctions will be reimposed. If we don’t fulfill our part, Iran’s nuclear program will expand. That’s still a consequence, just more practical than legal.” The Washington Post reports. http://wapo.st/1L6xgj8

Tweet - @Cirincione: 50 pro-diplomacy organizations urge Congress to reject bills that could kill #IranTalks http://t.co/HmoiNrlsQE

Making international waves - As U.S. editorial boards continue to express outrage over the Cotton letter, international players are starting to weigh in as well.

--The negotiations “have been difficult enough without this letter,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said yesterday at a DC think tank event. “Now it’s become more difficult. This is not trivial.” http://bloom.bg/1Au2B48

--Iran’s Supreme Leader wrote in a statement posted on his website: “All countries, according to the international norms, remain faithful to their commitments even after their governments change, but the American senators are officially announcing that at the end of the term of their current government, their commitments will be considered null and void.” http://nyti.ms/18E5Fnm

Moving forward - The U.K has awarded a contract to finalize plans for the next generation of submarines capable of firing nuclear warhead-equipped ballistic missiles. The contract went to BAE Systems PLC and is the last step to be taken before a final decision is made to proceed with building the new subs, which is expected in 2016. Full story by Robert Wall in The Wall Street Journal. http://on.wsj.com/1GMMaYN

Cotton’s home state weighs in - “It's hard to get on national newscasts based on Arkansas issues, so why not try to scuttle U.S. negotiations focused on keeping an antagonistic Middle East nation from developing a nuclear weapon?” The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes on the Cotton letter. “Iran isn't any friend of the United States, but engaging in talks to work out a possible deal is a better approach than pushing for a showdown.” http://bit.ly/1Cc6u3g

Trainwreck - The declining defense budget and rapidly expanding nuclear weapons budget is “a train wreck in the making,” Tom Collina tells Inside Defense. “We realize pretty quickly that nuclear weapons are not relevant to any of [today’s security] threats. And what is relevant is conventional weapons, troops, ships and all the rest. Those things cost money, and that's what is not going to get bought if we're spending all the money on nuclear forces.” Full story here (paywall). http://bit.ly/1FRZAix

Tweet - @FAScientists: Briefing slides from Hans Kristensen: US Nuclear Deterrence Policy & Japan's Nuclear Policy http://t.co/YP6HVZpmNF

Quick Hits:

--“What an Iran nuclear deal could look like,” overview by AFP. http://yhoo.it/1Mycg23

--“N. Korea fires seven surface-to-air missiles into sea.” Report by AFP. http://bit.ly/1AuP9ga

--“Here's How Congress Can Help the Iran Nuclear Talks,” by Daryl Kimball in The National Interest. http://bit.ly/1Gzcu4Y

--“Senator Corker Pushes Obama for Congressional Vote on Iran Deal,” By Michael Gordon and David Sanger in the New York Times. http://nyti.ms/1EGG8Iq

Events:

--“A Nuclear Deal, Iran’s Regional Role and U.S. Relations with the Persian Gulf.” Featuring Richard LeBaron, former Ambassador to Kuwait; Alireza Nader, RAND; and Ilan Goldenberg, Center for a New American Security. March 16 at 2:00 PM. Located at the Atlantic Council, 12th Floor, 1030 15th St. NW, Washington, DC. RSVP online. http://bit.ly/1MFH1mO

--“Managing and Reducing 21st Century Nuclear Security Threats.” Featuring Duyeon Kim, Carnegie Endowment; former Sen. Sam Nunn (GA), Nuclear Security Initiative; former Sen. Richard Lugar (IN), Lugar Center; Desmond Browne, former U.K. Defense Minister; and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE). March 16 from 6:00-8:30 PM. Located at Georgetown University, Bunn Intercultural Center, 37th St. NW, Washington, DC. RSVP by March 12 online. http://bit.ly/1wJFnM8

--Senate Armed Services Committee, hearing on “Postures of the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force.” With Gen. Raymond Odierno, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; Mark Welsh, Chief of Staff, Air Force; Deborah Lee James, Air Force Secretary; and John McHugh, Army Secretary. March 18 at 2:30 PM. Located in room SD-106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Webcast on the committee website. http://1.usa.gov/1AjlKFQ

--Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, hearing on the Energy Department budget. With Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. March 18, time TBA, Room TBA, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington. Webcast on the committee website. http://1.usa.gov/1itSTpx

--Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland, hearing on Air Force Force Structure and Modernization. With William LaPlante, Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition; Lt. Gen. Tod Wolters, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations; and Lt. Gen. James Holmes, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements. March 19 at 2:30 PM. Located in room S 222, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC. Webcast on committee website. http://1.usa.gov/1Muu2kZ

--“Briefing and Report Release: Naval Nuclear Reactors and Use of Highly Enriched Uranium.” Hosted by the Federation of American Scientists. Featuring Dr. Charles D. Ferguson, President, FAS, Dr. Alireza Haghighat, Professor Virginia Tech Transport Theory Group (VT3G), Nuclear Science and Engineering Laboratory (NSEL) and Dr. Alan Kuperman, Associate Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin. March 20, 2015 from 11:45 a.m.-1:45 PM. Located in Room 385 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. RSVP to rsvp@fas.org or 202-454-4694 by Wednesday, March 18, 2015.