Links – July 5, 2016
What about nuclear energy in UK after Brexit? This is as good a guess as anyone’s, better than most. But the general political disarray in the UK means that any analysis contains a large dose of speculation. Read More
Vladimir Putin
Links – June 8, 2016
The financial consequences of lifting sanctions on Iran are turning out to be less than Iran wanted. The problems lie in Iran’s corruption and broken banking system. If Iran can recognize its own problems, this will bring Iran more into compliance with world standards. This is what proponents of the nuclear deal meant when we said that the deal would help to bring Iran back to being a normal country. Nobody said it would happen quickly. Read More
Links – April 8, 2016
On April 26, it will be thirty years since the Chernobyl reactor blew up. That event gave the Soviet Union’s new premier, Mikhail Gorbachev, a scare that got him thinking about better ways to run the country. None of that worked out quite as he planned, though. Here’s a good history of the Chernobyl event. Photo from here of the containment now being built for the ruined reactor. Read More
Links – April 4, 2016
Eleven and a half million documents stolen from the law firm Mossack Fonseca and put on line. Two early stories based on the documents are here and here. There will be more to come. Mossack Fonseca specializes in helping people to hide large amounts of money through offshore shell companies and other means. Here’s an FAQ. The president of Iceland has resigned over the exposure of his company. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin figure in the revelations. Photo: Panama City, where Mossack Fonseca is located. Read More
Links – March 16, 2016
Russia is partially withdrawing its troops from Syria. It will maintain its naval and air bases there but will remove some unspecified amount of troops and equipment. Every reason you can think of has been offered in the speculation as to why and why now. Here’s a reasonable interpretation from Randa Slim, who has been involved in Track II discussions with Russia. Also from Mark Galeotti. How much will Russia continue to support Assad? Will Assad support the peace process with his protector partially gone? And how will other parties to the conflict respond? Nobody really knows. Here’s an article about strained relations between Russia and Iran. Read More
Links – February 2, 2016
I have been following events in Harney County, Oregon, where a group of (militants, insurgents, protesters, you name them!) has occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. They base their occupation on a bizarre interpretation of the United States Constitution that claims that the federal government cannot own land and the county sheriff is the highest level of law enforcement. Eleven of the leaders have been arrested, and four holdouts remain in the refuge. One of the group was killed by law enforcement officers during an arrest of the leaders. Read More
Putin and Kadyrov – Be Careful What You Wish For
It often seems like this would be a better world without Vladimir Putin in it. It’s easy to succumb to ideas about his death or removal from office. But who would be likely to succeed him? Read More
Links – Christmas Eve Edition
The Night Before Christmas, as seen by national security wonks. Top image from here.
Holiday greetings from all of us at Nuclear Diner! Less cheery news below the fold.
Putin’s Love Affair With Nuclear Weapons
Vladimir Putin and others in the Russian government have mentioned nuclear weapons a lot recently. Yes, guys, we know you’ve got them. Read More
Links – December 10, 2015
This is the damage that Donald Trump is doing to the United States.
Photo from a tweet on #MuslimAmericanFaces. “Sister, political scientist, snorkeler, NY’er, traveler, recently converted @justinbieber fan.” Read More
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