“End Nuclear Insanity Before Nuclear Insanity Ends Humanity” ~llaw
Nov 11, 2024
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LLAW’s NUCLEAR VIEWS, ISSUES & COMMENTS, Monday, (11/11/2024
As well as the risks involved with the addition to an erratic and unstable leader for the foreseeable future, the concept of ‘nuclear deterrence’, which is the only actual preventative we have from a nuclear war, is pricing the U.S. and other nuclear armed countries out of our ability to prevent a nuclear war. (Many Posts on this blog have dealt with this issue, and none of them are of a positive or comforting nature, but in fact just the opposite.
The concept of ‘deterrence’ is to increase a country’s nuclear power arsenal to prevent the other nuclear armed countries from launching their weapons because theirs may be superior and more devastating than ours, for instance. So billions and trillions of dollars are spent in a ‘keeping up with the Jones’s’ kind of way. This article points out that America may no longer be able to be the ruler of the ‘deterrence’ method of peace.
And with Trump at our nation’s helm, how can we possibly avoid nuclear war? I have my own opinion, but for today I will bow to this timely and much needed and important article from “Forbes” and author William Hartung, that were we still students at all levels of higher education would be mandatory reading. ~llaw
America Can’t Afford a New Nuclear Buildup
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I am a defense analyst, and cover the economics of Pentagon spending.
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Nov 11, 2024,11:57am EST
Updated Nov 11, 2024, 02:53pm EST
The return to power of Donald Trump raises serious questions about the future of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. His statements on nuclear weapons have been all over the map, but a 2017 review by Anthony Zurcher of The Guardian of Trump’s statements since the 980s concluded that “his thoughts on atomic weaponry reflect a certain strain of Cold War arms-race enthusiasm and diplomatic brinkmanship.” And in 2016, after he was challenged when he said ‘possibly, possibly” nuclear weapons could be used, Trump went on to say that if they weren’t to be used, “Then why are we making them?” On the flip side, he has also called nuclear war “the ultimate catastrophe.”
As for his actions in office, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which by all objective accounts had been working to stop Tehran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon. And in 2019, the Trump administration withdrew from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces in Europe treaty (INF), which had banned ground-based ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in the range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.
On the other hand, Trump was roundly (and unfairly) criticized for his short-lived effort at nuclear negotiations with North Korea. The talks ultimately failed, but critics who slammed Trump for “rewarding” North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un seemed to be ignoring the fact that in the final analysis talking with adversaries is a precondition for any sort of agreement. Criticism of Trump for being ill-prepared or inconsistent was fair game, but slamming him for talking to the North Korean leader at all didn’t make a lot of sense.
The real test of Trump’s stance on all-things nuclear will be his approach to the Pentagon’s multi-year effort to build a new generation of nuclear-armed missiles, bombers, and submarines, plus new warheads to go with them, a plan that some experts suggest could cost up to $2 trillion in the next three decades.
The nuclear plan has already been plagued by major cost overruns, including an 81% increase in the projected cost of the new intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed the Sentinel, and developed and produced by Northrop Grumman. The cost overrun prompted a government review of the program, but the assessment ended up pronouncing that the program was too important to cancel.
The review of the Sentinel was a missed opportunity. Former secretary of defense William Perry has called ICBMs “some of the most dangerous weapons we have,” because the president would have only a matter of minutes to decide whether to launch them on warning of attack, increasing the risk of a nuclear confrontation sparked by a false alarm.
The Pentagon has a big shopping list – a larger Navy, more combat aircraft, new armored vehicles, drones and other unpiloted vehicles. Even with a Pentagon budget soaring towards $1 trillion per year, something may have to be cut. There’s also a chance that at least a few fiscal conservatives in Congress may seek across-the-board cuts, including the Pentagon, upon news that for the first time interest on the federal debt is larger than the Pentagon budget.
On the other hand, despite the occasional criticism, Trump has come to see weapons contractors as important allies in executing his domestic strategy because of the jobs created by contracts with the Pentagon and foreign buyers. This alliance was on display in Trump’s effort to make a huge weapons deal with Saudi Arabia, which he claimed could create 500,000 jobs in the United States, when a more realistic estimate would be one-tenth to one-twentieth of that figure. The ultimate test came after the Saudi regime’s murder of the U.S.-resident Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, when Trump issued a statement saying that U.S. arms to the Saudi regime would continue, in part because he didn’t want to reduce business for “our wonderful defense companies.”
Donald Trump is nothing if not unpredictable. Will Trump the deal maker pleasantly surprise us by attempting to enter into negotiations to reduce nuclear arsenals, or will he resort to bluster and threats that make negotiations more difficult, even as he helps line the pockets of major weapons makers with billions of dollars of our tax money? To some degree it’s up to what kind of pressure he gets for and against the current buildup, which is a question that can only be answered once he is in office.
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(Please note that the Saturday and Sunday NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS — unedited —are added to today’s and coming Monday posts in order to maintain continuity of nuclear news as well as for research for the overall information provided in “All Things Nuclear”.)
There are 7 categories, with the latest addition, (#7) being a Friday weekly roundup of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) global nuclear news stories. Also included is a bonus non-nuclear category for news about the Yellowstone caldera and other volcanic and caldera activity around the world that play an important role in humanity’s lives. The feature categories provide articles and information about ‘all things nuclear’ for you to pick from, usually with up to 3 links with headlines concerning the most important media stories in each category, but sometimes fewer and occasionally even none (especially so with the Yellowstone Caldera). The Categories are listed below in their usual order:
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A current Digest of major nuclear media headlines with automated links is listed below by nuclear Category (in the above listed order). If a Category heading does not appear in the daily news Digest, it means there was no news reported from this Category today. Generally, the three best articles in each Category from around the nuclear world(s) are Posted. Occasionally, if a Post is important enough, it may be listed in multiple Categories.
TODAY’S NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS, Monday, (11/11/2024)
All Things Nuclear
NEWS
New eyes on nuclear: Technology industry reps, investment bankers visit INL to learn about …
Idaho National Laboratory
The future promises big advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, and corporate America is once again eyeing nuclear energy.
America Can’t Afford a New Nuclear Buildup – Forbes
Forbes
The return to power of Donald Trump raises serious questions about the future of the U.S. nuclear arse
EDITORIAL: Governor issues a powerful warning – Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs Gazette
Toward a goal of zero emissions, we close coal plants and mines that provide electric baseload stability — replacing them with “renewables” that …
Nuclear Power
NEWS
How to bring a dead nuclear power plant back to life – Vox
Vox
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the federal agency in charge of commercial nuclear reactors, says the reason these power plants — Palisades, …
China building prototype nuclear reactor to power next generation aircraft carrier, AP reports
CBS News
“Operating a nuclear–powered aircraft carrier is an exclusive club, one that China looks set to join,” says a researcher behind the analysis of …
Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
ABC News – The Walt Disney Company
U.S. researchers have concluded that China has built a land-based prototype nuclear reactor to power future aircraft carriers.
Nuclear Power Emergencies
NEWS
WHO to convene emergency meeting on mpox on Nov 22 – Selangor Journal
Selangor Journal
GENEVA, Nov 11 — The World Health Organisation (WHO) will convene a meeting of its Emergency … Govt mulls nuclear energy as future power source — …
Russia ‘Thwarted’ Ukraine’s HIMARS Assault on Nuclear Plant: Official – MSN
MSN
Zaporizhzhia’s Russian-installed governor said that the nuclear power plant in the region had been threatened by Ukraine’s forces.
Nuclear War
NEWS
America Can’t Afford a New Nuclear Buildup – Forbes
Forbes
The return to power of Donald Trump raises serious questions about the future of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Kremlin denies report Putin and Trump spoke about Ukraine war last week | PBS News
PBS
The Kremlin is rejecting reports that President Vladimir Putin spoke last week with President-elect Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine, …
Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
AP News
For the first time, a group of U.S. researchers has concluded that China has built a land-based prototype nuclear reactor to power future aircraft …
Nuclear War Threats
NEWS
Defense officials fear Iran will act against Israel before Trump returns to White House
The Jerusalem Post
Intelligence services have begun intensifying intelligence sharing and situational assessments with the US military to prevent overlooking …
Nuclear War Targets Revealed Across America – The Pinnacle Gazette
Evrim Ağacı
Military installations and other strategic sites could also find themselves under threat from nuclear strikes, especially if aggressors were to launch …
Opinion: Western inaction on Ukraine’s security guarantees opens door to global nuclear proliferation
The Kyiv Independent
Western indecision in Ukraine’s pursuit of security guarantees risks triggering a global chain reaction, with nations turning to nuclear weapons ..
Yellowstone Caldera
NEWS
Benchmarking benchmarks | U.S. Geological Survey – USGS.gov
USGS.gov
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
WEEKEND NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS UNEDITED (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)
SATURDAY’S NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS
Yellowstone Caldera NEWS
Could A Nuclear Explosion Set Off A Yellowstone Supervolcano Eruption? – IFLScience
IFLScience
Let’s imagine someone tried to trigger the volcano under Yellowstone National Park with a nuclear bomb – could it work?
The world’s biggest volcano expected to erupt – and it’s not Yellowstone – Daily Express
Daily Express
The Yellowstone Caldera poses a greater risk than Mauna Loa, however, it’s not anticipated to erupt for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.
Nuclear Power NEWS
Climate goals require a step change in nuclear investment – The World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum
Nuclear power is key to achieving climate goals, requiring increased investment and innovation in small modular reactors to enhance energy …
US support for nuclear higher in 2024 than year earlier, survey finds
World Nuclear News
More than half of the respondents to a US survey believe nuclear energy is an essential part of the solution to climate disruption and energy …
IAEA at COP29: Time to Deliver Nuclear Solutions
International Atomic Energy Agency
14/2024 · International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is bringing this message to the 29th · This year’s COP has …
All Things Nuclear NEWS
Justice Department brings charges in an Iranian murder-for-hire plot against Trump
WCMU Public Radio
Federal prosecutors charged a man who said he had been tasked by a contact in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard with planning the …
Justice Department brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Trump
The Portland Press Herald
The plot reflects what federal officials have described as ongoing efforts by Iran to target U.S. government officials on U.S. soil.
Blind date: ‘Hopefully he thought I was funny, as I do try pretty hard’ – The Guardian
The Guardian
Florence, 25, a political science master’s student, meets Joe, 28, a civil servant.
Nuclear War NEWS
Chernobyl showed that nuclear sites can be war targets. Now what? – The Economist
The Economist
Not even the world’s experts on nuclear-power plants have a plan for how to keep them safe in conflict | Podcasts.
Terrifying nuclear war map reveals US targets in every state as WW3 fears skyrocket
Irish Star
A nuclear war map has been released showing the areas most likely to be targeted in the event of a nuclear attack on US soil, with potential …
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 8, 2024 | Institute for the Study of War
Institute for the Study of War
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be assuming that US President-elect Donald Trump will defer to the Kremlin’s interests and preferences …
Nuclear Power Emergencies NEWS
Data centers want nuclear power – Brookings Register
Brookings Register
… power Microsoft with nuclear energy … Moreover, the new reactors avoid meltdowns by removing heat in an emergency without external water or power.
Nuclear War Threats NEWS
Can Trump 2.0 defuse the nuclear threat? These Washington heavyweights fear not
The Sydney Morning Herald
Woodward was most impressed with Joe Biden’s management of the nuclear threat from Russia two years ago when Vladimir Putin was threatening to attack …
Could Israel Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program With an All-Out Attack? | The National Interest
The National Interest
-Citing the Begin Doctrine, which advocates preemptive strikes on nuclear threats, Israel’s past actions against nuclear sites like Iraq’s Osirak …
Letter | Nuclear deterrence is mute on how to resolve root of conflict
South China Morning Post
Readers discuss Russia’s threat of nuclear strikes and North Korea’s role in the Ukraine war, Cheung Chau’s fading charms, and Hong Kong’s ..
Yellowstone Caldera NEWS
Could A Nuclear Explosion Set Off A Yellowstone Supervolcano Eruption? – IFLScience
IFLScience
Let’s imagine someone tried to trigger the volcano under Yellowstone National Park with a nuclear bomb – could it work?
The world’s biggest volcano expected to erupt – and it’s not Yellowstone – Daily Express
Daily Express
The Yellowstone Caldera poses a greater risk than Mauna Loa, however, it’s not anticipated to erupt for thousands or even tens of thousands of years.
Nuclear Power NEWS
Climate goals require a step change in nuclear investment – The World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum
Nuclear power is key to achieving climate goals, requiring increased investment and innovation in small modular reactors to enhance energy …
US support for nuclear higher in 2024 than year earlier, survey finds
World Nuclear News
More than half of the respondents to a US survey believe nuclear energy is an essential part of the solution to climate disruption and energy …
IAEA at COP29: Time to Deliver Nuclear Solutions
International Atomic Energy Agency
14/2024 · International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is bringing this message to the 29th · This year’s COP has …
All Things Nuclear NEWS
Justice Department brings charges in an Iranian murder-for-hire plot against Trump
WCMU Public Radio
Federal prosecutors charged a man who said he had been tasked by a contact in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard with planning the …
Justice Department brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Trump
The Portland Press Herald
The plot reflects what federal officials have described as ongoing efforts by Iran to target U.S. government officials on U.S. soil.
Blind date: ‘Hopefully he thought I was funny, as I do try pretty hard’ – The Guardian
The Guardian
Florence, 25, a political science master’s student, meets Joe, 28, a civil servant.
Nuclear War NEWS
Chernobyl showed that nuclear sites can be war targets. Now what? – The Economist
The Economist
Not even the world’s experts on nuclear-power plants have a plan for how to keep them safe in conflict | Podcasts.
Terrifying nuclear war map reveals US targets in every state as WW3 fears skyrocket
Irish Star
A nuclear war map has been released showing the areas most likely to be targeted in the event of a nuclear attack on US soil, with potential …
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 8, 2024 | Institute for the Study of War
Institute for the Study of War
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be assuming that US President-elect Donald Trump will defer to the Kremlin’s interests and preferences …
Nuclear Power Emergencies NEWS
Data centers want nuclear power – Brookings Register
Brookings Register
… power Microsoft with nuclear energy … Moreover, the new reactors avoid meltdowns by removing heat in an emergency without external water or power.
Nuclear War Threats NEWS
Can Trump 2.0 defuse the nuclear threat? These Washington heavyweights fear not
The Sydney Morning Herald
Woodward was most impressed with Joe Biden’s management of the nuclear threat from Russia two years ago when Vladimir Putin was threatening to attack …
Could Israel Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program With an All-Out Attack? | The National Interest
The National Interest
-Citing the Begin Doctrine, which advocates preemptive strikes on nuclear threats, Israel’s past actions against nuclear sites like Iraq’s Osirak …
Letter | Nuclear deterrence is mute on how to resolve root of conflict
South China Morning Post
Readers discuss Russia’s threat of nuclear strikes and North Korea’s role in the Ukraine war, Cheung Chau’s fading charms, and Hong Kong’s ..
SUNDAY’S NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS
Nuclear Power News
When you combine AI and nuclear power, the results can be catastrophic – The Hill
The Hill
The recent news that Microsoft has made a deal to restart the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant to run its AI data centers brings together two …
Uranium crisis threatens global nuclear power industry | News | denvergazette.com
Denver Gazette
Geopolitical tensions and processing limitations of refined uranium threaten nuclear power industry · The U.S. bans Russian uranium imports, investing …
Nuclear is the future of the US, expert says – YouTube
YouTube
2:48 · Go to channel. What a second Trump administration may hold for one part of clean energy: nuclear power. CNBC Television New 2.4K views · 6:54.
All Things Nuclear NEWS
Inside the Plan to Reopen Three Mile Island’s Nuclear Plant – WSJ
The Wall Street Journal
AI’s thirst for energy sealed the deal between Microsoft and Constellation on the plant, where memories of a partial meltdown in 1979 still …
UN nuclear head to visit Iran for talks on country’s nuclear program as next Trump presidency looms
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
VIENNA (AP) — The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said Sunday he will travel to Iran in the coming days to hold talks regarding the …
He Never Voted Republican. Trump 2024 Changed That. – CNN One Thing – Podcast on CNN Audio
CNN
President-elect Donald Trump is claiming a mandate after making inroads with multiple demographics en route to a popular vote victory.
Nuclear War NEWS
NATO Military Chief Says Troops Would Be on Ground if Not for Russian Nukes – Newsweek
Newsweek
“If you fight in Afghanistan, that’s not the same as fighting the Russians in Ukraine,” Admiral Rob Bauer said on Sunday.
IAEA chief announces trip to Iran for talks on its rapidly advancing nuclear program
The Times of Israel
Grossi to hold high-level meetings with Tehran in coming days in effort to increase inspections of nuclear facilities.
Opinion | Why South Korea needs to reassess its hardline stance against Pyongyang
South China Morning Post
Pyongyang is being emboldened by its defence pact with Moscow while US support for Seoul is expected to be diluted under Trump.
Nuclear Power Emergencies NEWS
Exclusive: Biden administration buys last oil for emergency reserve as fund taps out
AllSides
Do black roofs make your house hotter? Gigafact. AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center. News. Bill Gates is all-in on nuclear power · Quartz. AllSides …
Nuclear War Threats NEWS
How will the recent US election affect Iran, Russia, and North Korea? – The Jerusalem Post
The Jerusalem Post
Russian and/or North Korean threats of support for Iran could lay the groundwork for a multi-state nuclear conflict, one that could come to …
South Korea, US ready to strike if North Korea launches nuclear attack – Warns President Yoon
Caliber.Az
He emphasized that Seoul possesses advanced defence and offensive capabilities to respond to any potential nuclear threats from North Korea.
Stockpile for war, Norwegians told — water, fuel, iodine tablets – The Times
The Times
However, it is not commonly believed that Norway is under serious threat of a ground invasion from Russia in the same way as Ukraine, not least …