DoD to Call for Boosting Nuclear Arsenal as 'Deterrent'

Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. February 2, 2018 Daily News Brief   TOP OF THE AGENDA DoD to Call for Boosting Nuclear Arsenal as 'Deterrent' The U.S. Defense Department is expected to present the Trump administration's Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) today, which a spokeswoman said will call for "diverse" nuclear capabilities. Leaked drafts of the document call on the United States to build up a nuclear arsenal (WaPo) that matches those of countries whose development of nuclear weapons is not controlled by international treaties. The review is expected to suggest the United States begin using nuclear weapons on some submarine-launched missiles, as well as call for the development of nuclear weapons to be used in response to cyberattacks (NPR). A Pentagon spokesperson called on Thursday for increased investment in such weapons, noting that doing so would rely on stable federal funding (DoD). ANALYSIS "The U.S. today has this robust deterrent. It is capable of being employed anywhere in the world in defense of our interest and our allies within a matter of minutes," Joan Rohlfing said at an Arms Control Association event. "The gap between China and the United States is too wide to argue that the United States is lagging behind in any meaningful way. In fact, the exact opposite is true. By any measure, the U.S. arsenal is far superior," said Gregory Kulacki of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "As a longtime proponent of nuclear disarmament, Obama was not eager to authorize development of a new warhead. But as a consequence, the nuclear-weapons complex he has passed on to his successor is at a low ebb, and it will take more than pouring concrete to restore what has been lost," Loren Thompson writes for Forbes. Stephen Hadley on America's Place in the World The former national security advisor to President George W. Bush joins CFR's James M. Lindsay on the President's Inbox podcast to discuss the U.S. role in today's world order.   PACIFIC RIM Pope to Reach Deal With China Over Bishops The Pope will reportedly recognize seven bishops appointed by the Chinese government (WSJ) who had been excommunicated by the Catholic Church. The move would pave the wave for China to resume diplomatic relations with the Vatican (Reuters) after nearly seventy years. NEW ZEALAND: Immigration by UK and U.S. citizens to New Zealand has jumped by thousands (FT) since Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the election of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, according to new government figures. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Opposition Buoyed After Maldives Court Ruling The supreme court overturned convictions against former President Mohamed Nasheed, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, and a former vice president, ruling that their verdicts (AP) had been influenced by the government. Opposition activists clashed with police on Friday following the announcement. AFGHANISTAN: Judges at the International Criminal Court are considering whether to open a war crimes inquiry (BBC) into the conflict in Afghanistan. This CFR timeline lays out the U.S. war in Afghanistan. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA U.S. Again Accuses Syria of Chemical Attacks The U.S. State Department said it will "pursue accountability" over alleged chemical weapons use in Syria (Al Jazeera) following a suspected chlorine gas attack in the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta. The latest attack was reported by the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue organization operating in the country. CFR's Jamille Bigio discusses the role of women in negotiating an end to the Syrian war. IRAN: Police in Tehran have arrested more than two dozen women who removed their head coverings (Guardian) in recent protests, according to a news agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite branch of Iran's armed forces. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA U.S. Warns Kenya Over Recent Political Escalation The United States expressed concern on Thursday over Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga's self-inauguration earlier this week as an alternative president. A State Department spokesperson warned that such moves undermine the rule of law (AFP) and criticized President Uhuru Kenyatta's government for shutting down TV networks (VOA) that covered the ceremony. CFR's John Campbell discusses the Kenyatta administration's reaction to the opposition "inauguration." NAMIBIA: In an effort to curb spending amid a national financial crisis, President Hage Geingob has banned politicians and civil servants (DW) from foreign travel. The military announced last week that it can no longer pay for water, electricity, and food at its bases. EUROPE EU Changes Rules on Rescuing Migrants in Mediterranean The EU border agency launched a new mission in the Mediterranean that, unlike its previous one, will not be obliged to bring refugees only to Italian shores (Reuters). A spokeswoman said the mission will have a major security component aimed at detecting "foreign fighters and other terrorist threats" (EUobserver). FRANCE: Five migrants were shot and twenty-two others were sent to a hospital with injuries on Friday after several fights broke out at the Calais refugee camp (France24). AMERICAS Military Coup Possible in Venezuela, Says Tillerson In a talk at the University of Texas at Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that militaries in Latin America have often intervened during political crises in the region (BBC), though he also said he does not advocate regime change in Venezuela. Venezuela's foreign minister criticized the comments by Tillerson. CUBA: Fidel Angel Castro Diaz-Balart, a son of former leader Fidel Castro and a cousin of U.S. congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, was found dead on Thursday (BBC). He is believed to have committed suicide (Miami Herald). UNITED STATES Top U.S. Career Diplomat to Leave Post A high-ranking diplomat at the State Department, Tom Shannon, announced his retirement (RFE/RL) on Thursday after thirty-five years in the foreign service. Shannon said he is retiring for personal reasons.         Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org

Date: February 02, 2018 at 11:09PM