End Nuclear Insanity Before Nuclear Insanity Ends Humanity” ~llaw
Feb 07, 2025
An air defense system in Israel. Photo: Depositphotos
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY with the RISKS and CONSEQUENCES of TOMORROW
Or, speaking of speeding up Ukraine peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, NATO and the U.S., the “iron dome” possible white elephant might cause the opposite reaction as described by “Forbes” and reviewed by this analytical article from European Maiden and author Yevheniia Martyniuk!
The idea that a huge new “nuclear defense system” could delay or even end the Russia/Ukraine war is ridiculous because such a system (at a cost of perhaps $3 trillion) would take years in the making and it would only defend the northern hemisphere of America, and that makes me wonder how such a “defensive” system would prevent nuclear war at all. To me, the whole idea is just a glorified money sink that could possibly do nothing more than continue the “deterrence” game that simply cannot last forever. Logically, the effort to build such an “iron dome” over only America’s heads would only speed up the possibility of global nuclear war rather than slow it down. So why bother . . . ?
More likely, if the U.S. were to embark on such a defense system, doing so could speed-up Russia’s attempt to annex the Ukraine, and that could very well quickly involve the use of Russian nuclear weapons. We forget, also, that any immediate use of nuclear weapons would be referred to as “strategic” nukes directed at Ukraine.
Otherwise we would surely have Word War III breathing down our international necks, although no more than such a minimal “strategic” use of nuclear arms, WWIII could well happen regardless if any nuclear-armed country were to use such “minimal” weapons — which are, in reality, likely to be no less minimal than, say, the atomic bombs used by the U.S. on Japan in 1945 to end WWII.
Any use of any kind of nuclear weapons of mass destruction, large or small, anywhere on planet Earth would likely be the beginning of the end of us and our innocent animal friends . . . ~llaw
Forbes: Trump’s space shield “Iron Dome” could pressure Putin into Ukraine peace talks
As Russia threatens nuclear retaliation against nations backing Ukraine, Trump’s proposed missile defense initiative could reshape strategic dynamics—if it can overcome the immense challenges of implementation.
07/02/2025
2 minute read
An air defense system in Israel. Photo: Depositphotos
Forbes: Trump’s space shield “Iron Dome” could pressure Putin into Ukraine peace talks
President Trump’s newly announced space-based missile defense system could serve as leverage against Russian nuclear threats and its ongoing war in Ukraine, defense experts tell Forbes. The initiative, outlined in an executive order titled The Iron Dome for America, comes as Moscow continues to brandish its nuclear capabilities amid its invasion of Ukraine.
At the same time, Trump’s efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine face significant challenges. While his team is reportedly working behind the scenes to arrange talks, no official details of his plan have been made public.
“Russia has been threatening nuclear weapons use and claiming to have developed new weapon types,” Elena Grossfeld, a space arms race expert at King’s College London, tells Forbes in an interview.
She suggests that the countervailing Space Age missile defense project could be aimed at halting Putin’s belligerence or even pressuring him to enter talks on withdrawing his troops from Ukraine.
The proposal’s timing is significant, coming just days after Trump revealed at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he had discussed nuclear arms reductions with Russian President Putin.
“We want to see if we can denuclearize, and I think that’s very possible,” Trump said, adding that “President Putin wanted to do it.”
The initiative mirrors President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which sought to render nuclear weapons obsolete through space-based defenses. However, Victoria Samson, Chief Director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, warns of significant technical hurdles.
“The US would need thousands of interceptors in orbit just to ensure one was in place to hit a launch,” she said, noting that interceptors would have only ‘about 3-5 minutes’ to react to solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists recently set its Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight, citing heightened nuclear tensions. The organization warns that Russia’s repeated threats to use nuclear weapons against nations supporting Kyiv could lead to catastrophe—whether by a rash decision, accident, or miscalculation.
A space defense analyst interviewed by Forbes adds that sharing this defensive technology with nuclear powers willing to reduce their stockpiles—similar to Reagan’s offer to the Soviet Union—could be crucial to avoiding a new arms race.
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(Please note that the Sunday and Saturday NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS are also added below by category, following Monday’s news posts in order to maintain continuity of nuclear news as well as for research for the overall information provided in “LLAW;s 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:
- All Things Nuclear
- Nuclear Power
- Nuclear Power Emergencies
- Nuclear War Threats
- Nuclear War
- Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There are three Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available in today’s Post.)
- IAEA Weekly News (Friday’s only)
Whenever there is an underlined link to a Category media news story, if you press or click on the link provided, you no longer have to cut and paste to your web browser, since this Post’s link will take you directly to the article in your browser.
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, Friday, (02/07/2025)
All Things Nuclear
NEWS
Nuclear power is ‘making a comeback’ around the world, says IEA executive director Fatih Birol
Atlantic Council
… about cooperation among governments and the energy industry on nuclear energy. … All rights reserved. Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Terms and …
DOGE staffers at Department of Energy don’t have access to nuclear secrets, secretary says
CNBC
They’re like seeing our nuclear secrets. None of that is true at all,” Wright told CNBC’s Brian Sullivan in an exclusive interview. The secretary …
How the U.S. tests nuclear weapons | Here & Now – WBUR
WBUR
Since the 1990s, the United States has used science to verify its nuclear weapons are working properly … All Things Considered · Here & Now · Morning …
Nuclear Power
NEWS
Global Energy Analyst: ‘Nuclear is Making a Comeback’ – Broadband Breakfast
Broadband Breakfast
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2025 – International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol shared his outline for the future of nuclear energy, …
Nuclear power is ‘making a comeback’ around the world, says IEA executive director Fatih Birol
Atlantic Council
Birol discussed the recent resurgence in nuclear energy and the challenges hindering the nuclear industries in the United States and Europe.
Planners recommended against nuclear plant in 2019 citing fears for Welsh language
The Guardian
Planning inspectors recommended against a Hitachi-built nuclear power plant in Anglesey on the basis that it could dilute the island’s Welsh language …
Nuclear Power Emergencies
NEWS
Three Mile Island owner to discuss emergency plans at public meeting | WITF
WITF
The emergency plan is required to restart power operations. Emergency preparedness plans detail what measures a nuclear power plant will use to …
Three Mile Island owner to discuss emergency plans at public meeting – Lancaster Online
Lancaster Online
The company planning to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is scheduled to meet with regulators Feb. 19 to discuss its emergency …
A Trumped-Up Energy Emergency – Legal Planet
Legal Planet
… nuclear power industry collapsed. We were clearly in a period of energy crisis, but
Nuclear War Threats
NEWS
Nato allies discussed sending troops to Greenland after Trump threats – Yahoo
Yahoo
… threats, diplomatic sources told The Telegraph. Questions were even … Easy As Pie Can we all agree that nuclear warfare is bad? Yes? Well …
Forbes: Trump’s space shield “Iron Dome” could pressure Putin into Ukraine peace talks
Euromaidan Press
President Trump’s newly announced space-based missile defense system could serve as leverage against Russian nuclear threats and its ongoing war in …
Khamenei rejects US talks in setback to Trump hopes for a nuclear deal | Iran International
iranintl.com
They make statements about us, express opinions and issue threats.” “If they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they act on those threats, we will …
Nuclear War
NEWS
Russia practises manoeuvres with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles in Volga region
Reuters
Russia staged similar manoeuvres last year as a nuclear warning to the West at a time of heightened confrontation over the war in Ukraine. The …
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin admits situation in Kursk ‘very difficult’ amid new Kyiv offensive
The Independent
Without directly referring to the new attack, Volodymyr Zelensky said in his overnight address that the incursion “brought the war home for Russians …
UN nuclear chief says number of attacks on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has increased, TASS reports
Reuters
… nuclear corporation Rosatom. Russian forces took control of the plant soon after the start of the war with Ukraine in 2022 and Moscow has said the …
Yellowstone Caldera
News
Yellowstone’s a great outdoor classroom with geology on display in canyons, road cuts
Billings Gazette
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s …
What Would Happen If Yellowstone’s Supervolcano Erupted? – video Dailymotion
Dailymotion
Are we ready for a mega-blast from the supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park?
Mag. 2.8 quake – Greece: Aegean Sea on Thursday, Feb 6, 2025, at 07:44 pm (Universal Time)
Volcano Discovery
… caldera, and Ijen in East Java. … List and interactive map of current and past earthquakes near Yellowstone volcano. Etna · Etna volcano photos
IAEA Weekly News
7 February 2025
Read the top news and updates published on IAEA.org this week.
7 February 2025
How Rays of Hope is Expanding Access to Cancer Care for All
Cancer care is a global challenge, especially in those parts of the world where the number of cancer patients requiring radiotherapy is outpacing access to this technology. Read more →
5 February 2025
Call for Papers: Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations
Interested contributors have until 31 May 2025 to submit synopses for the IAEA’s first International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations against External Events from a Safety Perspective. Read more →
4 February 2025
VIDEO: IAEA Director General in Ukraine
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is in Ukraine to assess damage to key electricity infrastructure that is critical to the country’s nuclear safety. Read more →
3 February 2025
IAEA Follow-up Mission Recognizes Spain’s Continued Commitment to Improve Nuclear and Radiation Safety
An IAEA team of experts assessed that Spain showed a strong commitment to nuclear and radiation safety, and confirmed that Spain has successfully enhanced its regulatory framework, fully implementing recommendations made during the Agency’s 2018 mission. Read more →
3 February 2025
World Cancer Day: Bringing Life-saving Care to Those Who Need it Most
Through our fast-growing programmes and the Rays of Hope initiative, the IAEA is expanding access to nuclear medicine and cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries, supporting care to patients around the world with little or no access to treatment. Read more →