NAPSNet 08 December 2011

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet 08 December 2011", NAPSNet Weekly Report, December 08, 2011, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/napsnet-08-december-2011/

NAPSNet 08 December 2011

DETERRENCE:  The nuclear matters handbook, expanded edition, US Department of Defense (2011) [PDF, 15.3MB]

Security architectures in key regions will retain a nuclear dimension as long as nuclear threats to U.S. allies and partners remain. The United States will continue to be able to extend its nuclear umbrella through forward-deployable fighters and bombers and through U.S. intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (ICBMs and SLBMs).

DPRK: Experimental LWR construction: FM spokesman, KCNA (30 November 2011)

The DPRK Foreign Ministry emphasized the North’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The DPRK will not compromise on its right to nuclear energy, but it will work with the IAEA to “convince the world of the peaceful nature” of its nuclear program. North Korea committed to resuming the six-party talks and implementing the 2005 joint agreement but also warned of “catastrophic consequences” if its right to nuclear power was not recognized.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Foresight international dimensions of climate change, final project report, The Government Office for Science, London, UK (July 2011) [PDF, 13.5MB]

The consequences for the UK of climate change occurring in other parts of the world could be as important as climate change directly affecting these shores. The UK will inevitably be affected by these global impacts, and will need to give careful consideration to the implications for diplomacy and foreign policy, security, resources and commodities, finance and trade, human health and social values.

ENERGY SECURITY: Toward a sustainable future for the U.S. power sector: Beyond business as usual 2011, Geoff Keith, Bruce Biewald, Ezra Hausman, Kenji Takahashi, Tommy Vitolo, Tyler Comings and Patrick Knight, Synapse Energy Economics (17 November 2011) [PDF, 1.0 MB]

A Synapse study for the Civil Society Institute shows that a US power sector “Transition Scenario” reduces CO2 emissions by 81% from 2010 levels at a net discounted savings of $83 billion (2010-2050).  The scenario by 2050 phases coal-fired power, reduces nuclear generation, increases gas-fired power somewhat, and includes efficiency improvements slightly more than offsetting electricity demand growth, along with big increases in wind and solar.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Aid effectiveness: “The unbearable lightness of the Busan Declaration“, Guatemala Times (2 December 2011)

Representatives from over 160 nations met in Busan, South Korea, to discuss the future of aid to developing countries and agreeing to set a timetable for a worldwide partnership on aid delivery and a greater role for civil society. However, civil society groups criticized the Declaration for its failure to be a binding agreement, its lack of focus on gender issues and the still-limited role civil society plays in aid policy discussions.

AUSTRAL SECURITY: Spy expert warns of Beijing tie to satellite, Australian (17 November 2011)

Australia will continue to allow China to use a West Australian satellite station, despite the country’s top electronic espionage expert finding that such use may boost Beijing’s ability to target US and Australian warships.

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