Nautilus Peace and Security Weekly – 6 September 2012

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Peter Hayes – Deterrence Contributor These days, airlines fly direct to DC, and the diplomatic power of CINCPAC, the commander-in-chief of the entire Pacific Command based in Hawaii, has receded…, "Nautilus Peace and Security Weekly – 6 September 2012", NAPSNet Weekly Report, September 05, 2012, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/nautilus-peace-and-security-weekly-6-september-2012/

CONTENTS

See this week’s blog: Old Sea Dogs In New Battles With Fancy Labels, from our Deterrence contributor, Peter Hayes

DETERRENCE: Jury out: do advanced conventional weapons make nuclear war more likely? Elaine Grossman, Global Security Newswire (22 August 2012)

Could conventional weapons make a nuclear blast more likely? “The big problem…is that U.S. conventional war plans and doctrine are likely to create circumstances that will force our adversaries to threaten the use of nuclear weapons–or to use nuclear weapons–against us or our allies,” according to Keir Lieber of Georgetown University.

Blog: Old Sea Dogs In New Battles With Fancy Labels

by Peter Hayes – Deterrence Contributor These days, airlines fly direct to DC, and the diplomatic power of CINCPAC, the commander-in-chief of the entire Pacific Command based in Hawaii, has receded…

DPRK: North Korea and Iran signed a technology cooperation agreement against a common enemy,  Shaking China Military Matters (3 September 2012) [Mandarin Chinese]

North Korea was busy at the most recent Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran, Iran.  Claiming a “common enemy” the two countries signed a Science and Technology agreement in the fields of information technology, energy, environmental protection and agriculture. They will also cooperate to establish a laboratory with mechanisms for researchers to communicate. North Korea also held other talks at the conference.

ENERGY SECURITY: Working in a low incentive world: PV still facing a bumpy ride, Paula Mints, Renewable Energy World (July-August 2012) [Free subscription required]

For solar PV, these are the best of days (for many buyers); these are the worst of days (for many makers). Who knows what tomorrow will bring with FITs (feed-in tariffs), guarantees, and subsidies? Euphoria and despair both abound. Bees crowd near flowers and gatherers hunt honey-combs. Vain politicians are happy to grow a green image using people’s money; flighty scientists egg on. Still a better bet than nuclear. Trade wars ahead to save jobs before saving the earth.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Clinton calls for ASEAN unity on S. China Sea, Al Jazeera (4 September 2012)

US Secretary of State Clinton reconfirmed US commitment to the Asia region, calling for the settlement of numerous regional territorial disputes and an ASEAN “code of conduct” to settle disputes. China questioned US interference and the true meaning of the US’s “Asia Pivot”, while other regional publications argued that these disputes are the result of past US policy.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Vulnerability of US and European electricity supply to climate change, Michelle T. H. van Vliet et al., Nature Climate Change (2012) [1.53 MB, PDF]

In the United States and Europe, at present 91% and 78% of the total electricity is produced by thermoelectric power plants. During recent warm, dry summers several thermoelectric power plants in both countries were forced to reduce production owing to cooling-water scarcity. Considering the increase in future electricity demand, there is a strong need for improved climate adaptation strategies in the thermoelectric power sector to assure future energy security.

AUSTRAL PEACE AND SECURITY: Silence over general’s appointment leaves public in the dark, Hamish McDonald, Sydney Morning Herald (1 September 2012)

In an intriguing appointment that has been called ”unprecedented” by American defence reporters, Australian major-general, Rick Burr, is to become a deputy commander of the US Army Pacific. The appointment was virtually unreported here, because Australia’s Department of Defence didn’t announce it. His main task will be to help the US army engage with the forces of third countries. ”Shades of the deputy sheriff,” one ex-ambassador remarks.

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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