Nautilus Peace and Security Weekly – 27 September 2012

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"Nautilus Peace and Security Weekly – 27 September 2012", NAPSNet Weekly Report, September 27, 2012, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/nautilus-peace-and-security-weekly-27-september-2012/

CONTENTS

DETERRENCE: Aging U.S. nuclear arsenal slated for costly and long-delayed modernization, Dana Priest, Washington Post (15 September 2012)

The Stimson Center estimated the cost to upgrade and maintain the US’ 5,113 nuclear warheads, to replace old delivery systems and to renovate the aging facilities where nuclear work is performed is at least $352 billion over the coming decade. The cost may be higher if the work is delayed.

DPRK: Pyongyang politicians go home empty- handed,  Yan Jun, Deutschewelle (25 September 2012)

North Korea’s second Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) meeting this year proved anti-climactic – so far; stressing the importance of education reform to uphold socialist ideals. North Korean boats continue moving south frequently searching for food in what North Korea sees as its territorial waters.  This situation has a relatively high chance of ending in crisis.  North Korea halted construction at one launch site, but one remains active.

ENERGY SECURITY: Low hanging fruit: fossil fuel subsidies, climate finance, and sustainable developments, Oil Change International for the Heinrich Böll Stiftung North America with Natural Resources Defense Council and contributions from the Vasudha Foundation (India) and Greenovation Hub (China) (June 2012)

Cheap research, with self-righteous assertions in the name of climate change, is a low-hanging fruit for fame and grants. So what if the G-20 committed to “phase out and rationalize over the medium term inefficient fossil fuel subsidies while providing targeted support for the poorest”? Promises are cheap. Certain aspects of Western-style environmentalism have been romantic regressions into a mythical past, even smacking of imperialism. Fiscal pressures may force the issue and help reduce such subsidies.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: China focus: Diaoyu Islands rift takes toll on China-Japan economic, trade ties, Xinhua News (25 September 2012)

The ongoing Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands conflict between Japan and China has hindered economic relations, including numerous flight cancellations during a peak holiday season. Thousands of Chinese tourists now plan to spend a weeklong holiday in Korea and are boycotting all things Japan. Japanese and Taiwanese ships exchanged water-cannon fire off the Island’s coast. Rising Japanese leaders are taking an even tougher stance on issues of nationalism.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Limits and barriers to climate change adaptation for small inland communities affected by drought, Anthony Kiem and Emma Austin, The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility – NCCARF (2012) [2.05 MB, PDF]

In assessing the limitations of water trading, and MBIs (market-based instruments) in general, as a climate change adaptation tool it is crucial to note the difficulties of separating the impacts and issues attributable to water trading or water policy and those that are caused by drought or other climate impacts. The highly variable nature of Australia’s climate poses a significant barrier to overcome when developing and assessing the performance of any water trading scheme.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SECURITY: Report warns of global food insecurity as climate change destroys fisheries, Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian (24 September 2012)

The Persian Gulf, Libya, and Pakistan are at high risk of food insecurity in coming decades because climate change and ocean acidification are destroying fisheries. Some of the countries at highest risk were in oil-rich – and politically volatile – regions. “The Persian Gulf is actually expected to be one of the hardest-hit regions. In terms of fish catch they are supposed to lose over 50% of their fisheries.” America is expected to lose about 12% of its catch potential by mid-century.

The Nautilus Peace and Security Weekly Report presents articles and full length reports each week in six categories: Austral security, nuclear deterrence, energy security, climate change and security, the DPRK, climate change adaptation and governance and civil society. Our team of contributors carefully select items that highlight the links between these themes and the three regions in which our offices are found—North America, Northeast Asia, and the Austral-Asia region. Each week, one of our authors also provides a short blog that explores these inter-relationships.

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