The PG&E Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant at Avila Beach in California
In order to keep abreast of the weekend nuclear news, I will post Saturday and Sunday’s news, but without editorial comment. If a weekend story warrants a critical review, it will show up on Monday’s posts . . .
If you are not familiar with the daily blog posts, this is how the nuclear news post works . . . llaw
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s All Nuclear Daily Digest” RELATED MEDIA”:
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
Nuclear War Threats
Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There are no Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available on this weekend’s Saturday 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.
Unfortunately, you might have to, if they keep trying to rebuild [the nuclear program]. You are not going to be able to get everything [in one strike] …
[17] See Clausewitz oft-cited comment in On War: “Everything is very simple in war, but even the simplest thing is very difficult.” [18] In principle, …
Nuclear weapons are returning to the fore of international statecraft in ways unseen since the Cold War. With major powers like Russia issuing threats …
Taken together as cumulative categories of existential threat, the risks of an unintentional nuclear war could best be described as “inadvertent.” On …
Nuclear weapons are returning to the fore of international statecraft in ways unseen since the Cold War. With major powers like Russia issuing threats …
(See the “TWZ” article for image description and photo credits. ~llaw)
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
Trump makes a huge mess of everything he tries to do, and this is just another serious blunder that decreases the entire world’s former trust, appreciation, reliance, etc.
I’ve jotted down a few abbreviated phrases and comments from the article(s) that tell us that Trump is rapidly destroying America’s global leadership and reputation over his insane self-aggrandizing ambitious desire to become a Putin-style dictator over a huge part of the globe: A recent visit to Greenland by Vice President J.D. Vance created an uproar, and on Wednesday, Danish and Greenlandic officials met on the island in a show of unity against Trump’s repeated calls for U.S. annexation.
Asked about the frigid island, Cavoli made it clear he was talking about the military value of it and not the Trump administration’s policy of trying to assume Greenland from Denmark. Another interjection from the article(s): “Notice that this is really all about him, and his fantasies about himself. Every American should cringe deeply . . .” ~llaw
Greenland “Absolutely Critical” For Hunting Russian Submarines: Top U.S. General In Europe
Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the top U.S. general in Europe, testified that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security.
As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to seek control of Greenland, the top U.S. military commander in Europe said the massive island is vital to America’s national security. The main issue, he said, is that Greenland’s geographic location makes it a key landmass from which to track Russian submarines before they have a chance to disappear into the Atlantic Ocean and potentially endanger the East Coast. You can read more about the strategic importance of Greenland in our deep dive here.
“Access to the airspace and water space found in Greenland is absolutely critical for the United States,” said U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and head of U.S. European Command. Cavoli addressed the security value of Greenland during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. Asked about the frigid island, Cavoli made it clear he was talking about the military value of it and not the Trump administration’s policy of trying to assume Greenland from Denmark.
“The key there is it forms the western border of the Greenland, Iceland, UK (GIUK) gap, which is that body of water through which Russian submarines from the Northern Fleet in Murmansk come up and then down through that gap,” Cavoli stated. Murmansk is home to some of Russia’s most capable submarines, like the Yasen-M class nuclear-powered cruise missile carrying Kazan.
The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arrives at Havana’s harbor, June 12, 2024. Y(AMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)
The threat of Russian submarines in the Atlantic has been so great that in 2021 the U.S. Navy established a dedicated anti-sub task group ofArleigh Burke-class destroyers that was officially named Task Group Greyhound, which you can read more about here. The increasing Russian submarine activity sparked a warning five years ago from a top U.S. Navy officer that the East Coast was no longer a safe haven for the sea service’s ships and submarines.
The value of the GIUK Gap is not lost on Russia, either. In 2019, it launched its largest drill since the Cold War, sending at least 10 submarines from Murmansk through that region.
“The goal for some of the submarines is to get as far out into the Atlantic as possible without being discovered,” Norwegian news outlet NRK reported at the time.
The entire voyage from their Northern Fleet bases in the Murmansk region was submerged.
“Russia’s goal is to show that they are able to threaten the U.S. East Coast,” the publication noted. “Russia wants to say that ‘this is our sea,’ we can do this. We are able to reach the United States… They want to test the West’s ability to detect and handle this…”
Beyond offensive maneuvers, Russian submarines could also flood into the GIUK Gap and the waters off Norway in a defensive posture to keep U.S. submarines and surface combatants from pushing northward during a crisis. This would protect strategic Russian naval ports on the Barents Sea, Russia’s ballistic missile boats patrolling the northernmost latitudes and hiding under the polar icecap, and its increasingly strategic territorial holdings in the Arctic. It could also isolate NATO allies in Northern Europe from naval assistance during a crisis.
You can read more about the importance of this swath of ocean here.
Dating from the Cold War but still relevant today, a map of the GIUK Gap. CIA.gov
With all these considerations in play, Cavoli told senators that not having a strong U.S. presence in Greenland is a dangerous prospect. It makes up part of the northern section of the GIUK gap , which is bisected by the far smaller island of Iceland. With just 200 miles between the southeastern coast of Greenland and Iceland, this an important choke point. This area of the GIUK gap is located about 1,000 miles southeast of the Pituffik Space Force Base, the only U.S. military facility on the island. Formerly named Thule Air Base, it hosts an array of early warning radars and carries out regular flying operations.
Once Russian submarines “get past that gap, they break out into the Atlantic,” Cavoli pointed out. “It becomes very tough to track them. It’s a vast expanse. There’s some acoustic things about the underwater geography that make it pretty tough.”
“From those positions that they can achieve, they can hold the U.S. homeland at risk several important targets with land attack cruise missiles,” the general added.
The Russian submarine Kilo class submarine Lipetsk docked at Russia’s Nothern Fleet base in the town of Severomorsk not far from the city of Murmansk. (ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images) A Russian submarine Project 877 submarine stands at Russia’s Nothern Fleet base in the town of Severomorsk not far from the city of Murmansk, 19 April 2007. (ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Still, there are several places on Greenland where the U.S. and NATO allies can increase their anti-submarine capabilities without taking over the entire island. That begs the question of why expend the enormous diplomatic and potentially financial capital to acquire it? Iceland also has a regular detachment of anti-submarine warfare aircraft from the U.S. that covers the GIUK gap, making access for these operations in Greenland seem like more of a convenience than a necessity.
Personnel, assigned to Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4), use a munitions handling unit to transport a torpedo to a P-8 Poseidon, during an explosive ordnance exercise led by Navy Expeditionary Combat Force Europe-Africa/Task Force (CTF) 68, March 2, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Lewis/Released) Petty Officer 1st Class Peter Lewis
Tracking submarines may be seen as a major part of Greenland’s strategic value, but its location addresses several other important military needs. The radar arrays at Pituffik provide critical early warning of Russian ballistic missile attacks, giving the president and military more time to react. And should an adversary like Russia or China take it over, or even establish a major presence there, it could enable the placement of stand-off weapons just 1,300 miles from the United States.
Cavoli’s comments come amid a roiling international controversy, pitting two close NATO allies against each other. Greenland is governed by Denmark and Trump recently repeated his stance that military action is not off the table to take the island. The president’s interest in Greenland dates back to his first term when he announced he was considering purchasing it.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in an effort to calm the relations. During that meeting, Rubio reaffirmed the “strong relationship” between the U.S. and Denmark, the State Department stated.
While the politics of the situation is fraught and the future murky, it is crystal clear that Greenland has significant military value.
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s ALL NUCLEAR DAILY DIGEST” RELATED MEDIA
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 & Other Volcanoes (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.
“With every data center, with every advanced manufacturing plant that is built, with every indoor farm, with every step to electrify our economy, the …
… All Things Considered. Next Up: 6:30 PM Marketplace. 0:00. 0:00. All Things … And remember, Trump pulled out of a nuclear deal during his first term, …
Find out how decommissioning activities are carried out effectively and safely in the French town of La Hague, where a former fuel processing plant is being decommissioned. Read more →
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has delivered a new ambulance and other medical equipment to help Ukraine provide adequate health care for the personnel operating its nuclear power plants (NPPs) in challenging conditions during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. Read more →
The IAEA, together with its partners the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, carried out an imPACT Review in Mozambique last year, supporting the country in efforts to improve comprehensive cancer control. Read more →
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture is developing a sustainable solution to the Fusarium wilt threat to help protect banana cultivation across the globe. Read more →
(See “Newsweek” article below for image description and photo credits ~llaw”
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
From today’s article concerning the U.S. conflict over Iran’s nuclear program and facilities and Russia’s dire warnings to Trump to leave Iran alone . . .
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Remarks at FinCEN on Wednesday: “Our objective is to thwart Iran’s ability to lead and sponsor terrorism, deny Iran’s attempts to grow its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs, and punish Iran for its heinous human rights abuses.”
This statement by the U.S. Treasury Secretary and former “hedge fund manager” seems so odd to me. What does he and his job have to do with controlling Iran’s “terrorism” and “growing its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles”? Such an announcement, one would think, might more likely come from the Secretary of Defense or the President himself.
Is this oddity because Trump’s Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is in deep trouble with the Pentagon over his premature and amateurish, as well as insecure, handling of Top Secret military objectives in Yemen?
In other words, Trump and his White House are creating more trouble than they can handle or defend, and when we’re talking about “war”, be its beginning conventional or nuclear, with Iran — which has Russia and China’s military support — we are looking at nuclear war directly in its doomsday face.
Let’s face it: Trump and his entire so-called “Cabinet” are obviously dreadfully unqualified to lead our once great nation . . . and something must be done about it! ~llaw
Russia Warns Against Attacking Iran: “Illegal and Unacceptable”
Published Apr 03, 2025 at 11:23 AM EDT
00:30
Russia, China Vessels Arrive In Iran For Naval Drill
Russia warned on Thursday against any attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as tensions grow with the United States over its nuclear program and after President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran if it doesn’t reach a deal.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
Russia has grown closer to Iran and in January the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership. That risks any conflict over Iran’s nuclear program taking on a global dimension.
Iran has rejected direct negotiations under pressure after Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign, reimposing strict sanctions aimed at weakening Iran’s economy and halting its nuclear advancements. Trump has also threatened to bomb Iran if there is no deal.
While Iran has indicated that indirect talks could be possible, rising tensions between Iran and the U.S. have reignited fears of a potential war.
What To Know
“The use of military force by Iran’s adversaries in the context of political resolution is illegal and unacceptable,” Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a news conference, according to a ministry translation. “External threats to bomb Iran’s nuclear energy infrastructure would inevitably lead to far-reaching and irreversible consequences.”
Zacharova’s comments highlight Russia’s opposition to U.S. threats against Iran, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov earlier this week condemning what he described as “inappropriate” methods.
In this photo released by the Iranian army on Monday, March 10, 2025, a Russian navy vessel enters Iranian waters for a joint naval exercise with Iran and China. Mohammad Mehdi Dara, Iranian Army/AP
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that if the U.S. or any other nation acts against Iran, they will “receive a severe blow.“
Earlier this month, President Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, urging Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear program and warning of potential military action if it refused. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the letter “more of a threat” but acknowledged it also presented opportunities.
What People Are Saying
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova: “The use of military force by Iran’s adversaries in the context of political resolution is illegal and unacceptable… External threats to bomb Iran’s nuclear energy infrastructure would inevitably lead to far-reaching and irreversible consequences.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Remarks at FinCEN on Wednesday: “Our objective is to thwart Iran’s ability to lead and sponsor terrorism, deny Iran’s attempts to grow its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs, and punish Iran for its heinous human rights abuses.”
What Happens Next
The Russian comments come as the United States and Iran are intensifying both rhetoric and military preparations, signaling the risk that a direct confrontation could evolve into a broader conflict.Subscribed
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s ALL NUCLEAR DAILY DIGEST” RELATED MEDIA
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 & Other Volcanoes (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.
Paris considers that its nuclear weapons are meant to deter an attack on the country’s most vital interests, which it considers to include a “European …
(See credits to 2025 Doomsday Clock, courtesy of NPR via“The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists”)
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece, created by scientists to show how close humanity is to catastrophe – represented by “midnight”. In January 2025, it was set to 89 seconds, the closest it has ever been to that point of global disaster. Among the various threats that could lead to such an event, nuclear terrorism is considered one of the dangerous modern challenges. ~ IARI
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
I have often mentioned the increasing threat of nuclear terrorism, but as nuclear proliferation expands, both for war and nuclear power, dramatically increasing around the globe, the threat grows more and more likely to become an international concern — perhaps even comparable to the threat from any or all of the nine nations combined that already have an armageddon-worth of nuclear weapons of mass destruction at their disposal.
There are also serious concerns about both Nuclear Power Plants and Nuclear Waste Storage beyond the scope of this article that are subject to terrorism attacks that are ready-made for the kind of nuclear warfare discussed here. Some of it is already available simply by occupation and control— that being the projected increase in nuclear power plants, especially from the predicted proliferation of Small Nuclear Power Reactors (SMRs) and the plethora of unprotected canisters and barrels of nuclear waste that resides in open areas adjacent to existing nuclear power plants in the United States, Canada, and other nations who have never developed underground disposal facilities for nuclear waste during years of basically unsecured open-air pools of massive collections of massive nuclear waste. This is a problem that will only increase as new nuclear power plant facilities, large and small, come online to satisfy our human need for electrical energy.
We have, through pure greed and ignorance, most likely created our own demise, taking along most all other life with us, and the longer we continue along this road to oblivion, the less likely we are to ever unite in a one-lane global detour of unity to rid ourselves of “All Things Nuclear” — a task that is already reaching the limits of our capability to recover from . . . ~llaw
89 seconds to midnight: could nuclear terrorism be the CBRN event that triggers humanity’s breaking point?
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece, created by scientists to show how close humanity is to catastrophe – represented by “midnight”. In January 2025, it was set to 89 seconds, the closest it has ever been to that point of global disaster. Among the various threats that could lead to such an event, nuclear terrorism is considered one of the dangerous modern challenges.
The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 and measures the likelihood of a human-made global disaster. As the Clock moves closer to midnight, the threat of nuclear terrorism looms as one of the most catastrophic risks facing global security. Among all Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats, nuclear terrorism stands out for its potential to cause mass casualties, long-term environmental devastation, and unprecedented geopolitical destabilization. Despite international efforts to secure nuclear materials and dismantle illicit networks, non-state actors continue to seek access to fissile material and the expertise needed to create a crude nuclear device or deploy a radiological dispersal weapon.
The viability of nuclear terrorism
The concept of nuclear terrorism is not merely theoretical: intelligence agencies and security experts have repeatedly warned about its feasibility. The potential for terrorist organizations or rogue actors to exploit vulnerabilities in nuclear security has been a persistent concern for decades. The risk is exacerbated by the ongoing proliferation of nuclear knowledge, the expansion of illicit nuclear markets, and the failure of some States to maintain rigorous oversight of their nuclear stockpiles. While constructing a full-scale nuclear weapon remains an insurmountable challenge for most non-state actors due to the complexities of uranium enrichment and plutonium processing, the acquisition of stolen or illicitly traded fissile material is a real concern. The black market for nuclear materials continues to thrive in some parts of the world, where corruption and weak regulatory oversight enable traffickers to move radioactive substances across borders undetected.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s raised alarms about the security of nuclear stockpiles, as economic instability and political fragmentation led to lapses in nuclear safeguards. The Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program was designed to address these vulnerabilities by securing and dismantling former Soviet nuclear arsenals, yet concerns persist over unaccounted-for materials. Reports of nuclear smuggling incidents, some involving highly enriched uranium and plutonium, continue to surface, and this underscores the difficulty of completely eliminating the risk of nuclear theft. While many documented cases of illicit nuclear trade have been thwarted, it remains unclear how many transactions go undetected, raising the possibility that nuclear materials may already be in the hands of actors with malicious intent.
Radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), or “dirty bombs,” present a more accessible and plausible nuclear terrorism threat. These devices use conventional explosives to scatter radioactive material, causing widespread panic, economic disruption, and long-term health consequences. Unlike nuclear weapons, RDDs do not require weapons-grade material, making them an attractive option for terrorist organizations aiming to instill fear and cripple infrastructure without requiring state-level nuclear capabilities. Hospitals, industrial sites, and research facilities often store radiological materials such as Cesium-137 and Cobalt-60, which, if improperly secured, could be exploited for use in an RDD. The effects of a dirty bomb attack would likely be more psychological than physical, as the radiation levels dispersed may not cause immediate mass casualties, but the fear and uncertainty generated by such an event could be enough to cause social and economic paralysis.
The potential for cyber-enabled nuclear terrorism also introduces a new dimension to the threat landscape. Hackers targeting nuclear facilities or material storage sites could compromise security systems, disable safeguards, or even facilitate unauthorized access to radiological substances. As nuclear infrastructure becomes increasingly reliant on digital systems, the risk of cyberattacks disrupting nuclear security measures grows. The combination of traditional threats, such as physical theft or smuggling, and emerging risks like cyber-enabled breaches, makes the challenge of preventing nuclear terrorism more complex than ever before.
The expanding threat landscape: terrorist groups and illicit networks
While there has been no successful large-scale nuclear terrorist attack, intelligence has consistently pointed to active attempts by extremist organizations to acquire nuclear materials. Al-Qaeda’s leadership, including Osama bin Laden, openly sought nuclear weapons during the 1990s and early 2000s, attempting to procure uranium through intermediaries in Sudan and other regions. The proliferation network run by Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khanexposed vulnerabilities in nuclear security, demonstrating how sensitive technology and materials could be sold illicitly.
ISIS also explored nuclear options, with European intelligence agencies uncovering surveillance operations targeting nuclear facilities in Belgium in 2016. Documents seized from ISIS hideouts in Syria indicated ambitions to construct a radiological dispersal device, using radioactive materials available in hospitals or industrial sites. The potential for terrorist groups to exploit unprotected radiological sources remains a significant concern, as seen in previous incidents of radioactive material theft in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The Russian black market for nuclear material has long been a focal point for counterproliferation efforts. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, multiple cases of nuclear smuggling have been uncovered, with intercepted shipments of uranium and plutonium often traced back to poorly secured Soviet-era stockpiles. Moldovan authorities disrupted a smuggling ring in 2011 that sought to sell weapons-grade uranium to a suspected terrorist organization, while similar operations in Georgia and Kazakhstan highlight persistent gaps in nuclear security.
Regional case studies: the most vulnerable hotspots
Certain regions are particularly vulnerable to nuclear terrorism due to a combination of weak governance, active extremist groups, and the presence of nuclear materials or infrastructure. South Asia remains one of the most critical flashpoints. Pakistan, with its expanding nuclear arsenal and history of internal instability, faces persistent concerns over the security of its nuclear sites. The country has long battled terrorist organizations such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and al-Qaeda, which have carried out high-profile attacks against military installations. The potential for insider threats within Pakistan’s security apparatus has raised alarms among global intelligence agencies, as individuals sympathetic to extremist causes could facilitate access to sensitive nuclear materials.
In the Middle East, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its network of proxy groups add another dimension to the nuclear terrorism threat. While Iran has officially agreed to non-proliferation commitments, concerns remain about the potential diversion of nuclear materials to allied militant groups, such as Hezbollah. The risk is not necessarily a direct transfer of a nuclear weapon, but rather the possibility that radiological substances from civilian nuclear programs could be repurposed for a dirty bomb attack by Iran-backed factions.
Sub-Saharan Africa, although not traditionally considered a nuclear hotspot, has been linked to nuclear proliferation networks in the past. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has uranium deposits that were historically exploited for nuclear programs, and weak governance structures could make these materials susceptible to exploitation. Additionally, terrorist organizations operating in the Sahel, such as Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated groups, have shown increasing sophistication in their operations, raising concerns about their ability to engage in nuclear smuggling networks.
The consequences of a nuclear terrorism event
The detonation of a nuclear device or dirty bomb in a major metropolitan area would trigger an unparalleled security crisis. A nuclear explosion, even a crude one, would result in mass casualties, large-scale infrastructure destruction, and environmental contamination that could render entire cities uninhabitable. The economic consequences would be catastrophic, with financial markets collapsing due to uncertainty and fear. Governments would be forced to implement emergency measures, likely including martial law, while civil liberties could be severely curtailed under the pretext of national security.
Beyond the immediate devastation, the geopolitical ramifications of nuclear terrorism could lead to full-scale conflicts. If the attack were linked to a State sponsor, retaliatory military actions could escalate, triggering wars that redraw global alliances. Even in cases where attribution remains unclear, nations may act preemptively based on intelligence, leading to diplomatic crises and increased global instability. The psychological impact of a nuclear terrorism event would be profound, creating a climate of fear that could reshape urban security policies, increase surveillance measures, and further erode trust in institutions meant to protect civilian populations.
The environmental consequences of a nuclear terrorism event would extend far beyond the initial impact site. A nuclear detonation or even a dirty bomb attack would contaminate air, soil, and water sources, potentially making large areas uninhabitable for generations. The radiation exposure could lead to long-term health effects, including increased cancer rates, genetic mutations, and other chronic illnesses among the affected populations. Clean-up efforts would require extensive financial resources and advanced technological solutions, placing immense pressure on both national governments and international organizations.
A nuclear terrorism event would also have far-reaching socio-political effects. The global economy would face severe disruptions as trade routes are affected, investment confidence plummets, and governments redirect resources toward crisis management and defense. The imposition of travel restrictions, emergency laws, and heightened border security measures could reshape international relations, leading to increased suspicion between States. Societies might experience a rise in xenophobia and discrimination, as fear-driven policies target specific ethnic or religious groups under the guise of national security.
The humanitarian impact would be equally devastating. Mass evacuations from affected areas would create a large-scale refugee crisis, overwhelming neighboring regions and straining humanitarian aid resources. Public health systems would struggle to cope with the influx of radiation-related illnesses, while psychological trauma among survivors would require long-term mental health interventions. The combination of physical, economic, and psychological destruction could set back global development for decades, highlighting the unprecedented challenge of recovering from such an attack.
Best-case scenario: preventing the unthinkable
In the most optimistic outlook, the combined efforts of intelligence agencies, counterproliferation initiatives, and technological advancements in nuclear security would prevent nuclear terrorism from becoming a reality. Governments would maintain strict control over fissile materials, ensuring that all nuclear sources – both civilian and military – are accounted for and protected against theft or diversion. International organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) would continue strengthening cooperative frameworks, ensuring that states remain committed to non-proliferation and counterterrorism strategies. Advanced detection technologies, including artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems and enhanced border security, would make it increasingly difficult for illicit nuclear materials to be trafficked undetected. Cybersecurity measures protecting nuclear facilities would also be reinforced, preventing hacking attempts that could compromise reactor safety or allow unauthorized access to sensitive materials. The role of diplomatic engagement in reducing nuclear risks would be paramount, with major powers working collectively to prevent State-sponsored proliferation and reduce regional nuclear tensions.
Worst-case scenario: the breaking point
In the most catastrophic scenario, a terrorist organization succeeds in detonating a nuclear device in a densely populated city. Whether through an improvised nuclear weapon or a radiological dispersal device, the attack would result in thousands, if not millions, of deaths, with entire urban centers rendered uninhabitable due to radiation exposure. The global economy would enter a state of shock, with investors withdrawing from markets, trade routes shutting down, and international financial institutions struggling to manage the fallout.
The immediate political response would likely involve military retaliation, with States launching strikes based on intelligence, accurate or not, against perceived sponsors of the attack. This could ignite new wars, particularly in regions already plagued by instability. Nuclear-armed States might escalate their postures, increasing the risk of further nuclear exchanges. The erosion of civil liberties would accelerate, with governments enacting emergency laws that could alter democratic institutions. Surveillance States would expand, justifying mass data collection and aggressive counterterrorism operations in response to the attack. In addition, the event would likely embolden other terrorist groups, proving that nuclear terrorism is not just a hypothetical scenario but a reality that can be replicated. Rogue states and transnational criminal networks would be more incentivized to participate in nuclear smuggling, while black-market networks could flourish in conflict zones. International organizations would struggle to maintain control, as the loss of public trust in security institutions could drive nations toward isolationist policies, reducing cooperation in global counterterrorism efforts.
A realistic projection: persistent but manageable threats
A more plausible scenario falls between these two extremes. While intelligence and counterterrorism operations have so far prevented nuclear terrorism from materializing, the persistent threat demands continuous vigilance. The world is unlikely to see a full-scale nuclear detonation by a terrorist group in the near future, but the risk of an RDD attack or an attempted smuggling operation remains high. As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, the potential for State actors to indirectly facilitate nuclear proliferation cannot be ruled out.
To mitigate these risks, nations must strengthen their nuclear security strategies, investing in modern detection systems, expanding international intelligence-sharing initiatives, and closing the regulatory gaps that allow illicit nuclear trade to persist. The continued existence of unsecured radiological materials, the rise of cyber threats to nuclear infrastructure, and the shifting alliances in global politics require a renewed commitment to counterproliferation measures that adapt to emerging challenges.
Conclusion
Nuclear terrorism remains one of the most dangerous and least predictable threats in modern global security. The combination of non-state actors, potential State complicity, and vulnerabilities in nuclear material security creates a volatile mix that cannot be ignored. While efforts to counter nuclear terrorism have made significant strides, the risk persists, necessitating continued international cooperation, technological innovation, and intelligence sharing. As the world stands 89 seconds to midnight, the question is not whether nuclear terrorism is possible, but whether the global community is prepared to prevent it before it’s too late.
Daria Alexe
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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 & Other Volcanoes (Note: There are two 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.
… emergency services as plans continue for construction on the $270 million project. … Rethinking Nuclear Power: Evolution & Future of Nuclear Energy …
On Monday, Khamenei fired back and said that while he doesn’t believe the U.S. would attack Iran “they will certainly receive a heavy blow in return” …
(See the “Newsweek” article below for a description and image credits ~llaw)
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
Because this is such a serious issue, I am repeating my thoughts concerning the likely multiplying conflicts that this potential USA (Trump) crisis with Iran from yesterday’s Post.
I will add that such a malignant threat by Trump is not simply between him and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei because it affects the entire world including, as pointed out by the Newsweek article below, Iran’s support from Russia and China, too; and that also means, the free states of Europe (NATO) and by implication all other nations around the world. Trump, obviously, with his bullying-style (with no sign of any “Art of a Deal” nor diplomacy), has exponentially expanded the ominous threat of a nuclear World War III. ~llaw
From yesterday:
Donald Trump to Iran: “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
Is Trump trying to start a war, not only in the Iran and the Middle East, but an attack on the United States? This is not leadership from America, nor does it have anything to do with diplomacy nor “the art of the deal”, which, by the way, his book of the same name was actually written in 1987 by a ghost writer named Tony Schwartz.
If you want to hear what Mr. Schwartz has to say about Trump and “The Art of the Deal”, you can easily Google his name . . .
Trump is little more than a grown-up grade-school playground bully, and a wannabe “tough-guy” dictator style world leader. He likes to talk down to those nations he feels are inferior to his view of America and rub elbows with leaders like Putin, but he is rapidly turning the USA into a country worse than any 3rd world nation on the planet, and he is clearly dangerous to all nations everywhere, including, most importantly, our own. He can start WWIII, better named “armageddon”, all by himself with his own stubby finger on the nuclear football button unless that “freedom” is taken away from him by Congress with some help. It should have been the best last act of President Joe Biden! ~llaw
Russia Warns Against U.S. Strike on Iran Nuclear Sites: “Catastrophic”
Published Apr 01, 2025 at 9:37 AM EDTUpdated Apr 01, 2025 at 9:38 AM EDT
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned there would be “catastrophic” consequences if the United States attacks Iran’s nuclear infrastructure after a threat by President Donald Trump.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and Iran’s foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Rising tensions between Iran and the U.S. have reignited concerns of the potential for military conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have escalated the tone of their remarks, intensifying the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign, which has led to the reimposition of strict sanctions in order to weaken Iran’s economy and stop its nuclear program. Iran has refused direct negotiations under pressure but said indirect negotiations were possible.
This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy personnel saluting aboard a Chinese military ship during a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese drill in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian Army Office/AFP/Getty Images
What To Know
In an interview with the Russian International Affairs magazine, Ryabkov said Russia opposed military strikes on Iran if Tehran refuses to agree to a nuclear deal, warning of “catastrophic” consequences, “especially if the nuclear infrastructure is hit.”
Trump threatened to bomb Iran if it does not agree to a new nuclear deal. Tehran has rejected a U.S. proposal to engage in direct negotiations under “maximum pressure” policies.
“Threats are really heard, and ultimatums are also heard. We consider such methods inappropriate, we condemn them,” Ryabkov added.
Iran said it “will have no choice” but to seek nuclear weapons if attacked, a senior adviser to Khamenei Iranian Supreme Khamenei said. The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in both the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, in a move signaling heightened U.S. preparations for potential conflict.Subscribed
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s ALL NUCLEAR DAILY DIGEST” RELATED MEDIA
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 & Other Volcanoes (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.
See Reuters article for description and photo credits ~llaw
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
Donald Trump to Iran: “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
Is Trump trying to start a war, not only in the Iran and the Middle East, but an attack on the United States? This is not leadership from America, nor does it have anything to do with diplomacy nor “the art of the deal”, which, by the way, his book of the same name was actually written in 1987 by a ghost writer named Tony Schwartz.
If you want to hear what Mr. Schwartz has to say about Trump and “The Art of the Deal”, you can easily Google his name . . .
Trump is little more than a grown-up grade-school playground bully, and a wannabe “tough-guy” dictator style world leader. He likes to talk down to those nations he feels are inferior to his view of America and rub elbows with leaders like Putin, but he is rapidly turning the USA into a country worse than any 3rd world nation on the planet, and he is clearly dangerous to all nations everywhere, including, most importantly, our own. He can start WWIII, better named “armageddon”, all by himself with his own stubby finger on the nuclear football button unless that “freedom” is taken away from him by Congress with some help. It should have been the best last act of President Joe Biden! ~llaw
Trump threatens bombing if Iran does not make nuclear deal
Trump threatens Iran with bombing, tariffs, if no nuclear deal reached
Summary
Trump threatens Iran with bombs, tariffs if no nuclear deal
Iran has rejected direct negotiations with U.S.
Trump says he will wait “a couple of weeks” before deciding on tariffs
WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program.
In Trump’s first remarks since Iran rejected direct negotiations with Washington last week, he told NBC News that U.S. and Iranian officials were talking, but did not elaborate.
The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here.
“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump said in a telephone interview. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
“There’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago,” he added.
Iran sent a response through Oman to a letter from Trump urging Tehran to reach a new nuclear deal, saying its policy was to not engage in direct negotiations with the United States while under its maximum pressure campaign and military threats, Tehran’s foreign minister was quoted as saying on Thursday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated the policy on Sunday. “Direct negotiations (with the U.S.) have been rejected, but Iran has always been involved in indirect negotiations, and now too, the Supreme Leader has emphasized that indirect negotiations can still continue,” he said, referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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In the NBC interview, Trump also threatened so-called secondary tariffs, which affect buyers of a country’s goods, on both Russia and Iran. He signed an executive order last week authorizing such tariffs on buyers of Venezuelan oil.
A 3D-printed miniature model of Donald Trump and the U.S. and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Speaking to reporters later on Sunday on Air Force One, Trump said he is going to make a decision on the secondary tariffs based on whether Tehran makes a deal.
“We’ll probably give it a couple of weeks and if we don’t see any progress, we’re going to put them on. We’re not putting them on right now. But if you remember, I did that six years ago, and it worked very well,” he said.
In his first 2017-21 term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that placed strict limits on Tehran’s disputed nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Trump also reimposed sweeping U.S. sanctions. Since then, the Islamic Republic has far surpassed the agreed limits in its escalating program of uranium enrichment.
Tehran has so far rebuffed Trump’s warning to make a deal or face military consequences.
Western powers accuse Iran of having a clandestine agenda to develop nuclear weapons capability by enriching uranium to a high level of fissile purity, above what they say is justifiable for a civilian atomic energy program.
Tehran says its nuclear program is wholly for civilian energy purposes.
Reporting by Doina Chiacu and David Ljunggren in Washington; Elwely Elwelly and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Andrea Shalal aboard Air Force One; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk and Stephen Coates
Covers Canadian political, economic and general news as well as breaking news across North America, previously based in London and Moscow
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ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s ALL NUCLEAR DAILY DIGEST” RELATED MEDIA
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 & Other Volcanoes (Note: There is one Yellowstone Caldera bonus story 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.
… all platforms: TV, Internet and Mobile. Stay tuned for all the breaking … LIVE. Go to channel · LIVE | Trump Orders U.S. Military Strikes On Iranian …
In order to keep abreast of the weekend nuclear news, I will post Saturday and Sunday’s news, but without editorial comment. If a weekend story warrants a critical review, it will show up on Monday’s posts . . .
If you are not familiar with the weekday daily blog post, this is how the nuclear news post works . . . llaw
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s All Nuclear Daily Digest” RELATED MEDIA”:
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
Nuclear War Threats
Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There is one Yellowstone Caldera bonus story available on this weekend’s Saturday 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.
“The [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] gave us a 30–42 month review timeline,” Lane said. “That’s just for the fuel facility — not actually the reactor …
In fact, the enormous Yellowstone Caldera powers nearly half of the world’s active geysers and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Yellowstone …
In order to keep abreast of the weekend nuclear news, I will post Saturday and Sunday’s news, but without editorial comment. If a weekend story warrants a critical review, it will show up on Monday’s posts . . .
If you are not familiar with the weekday daily blog post, this is how the nuclear news post works . . . llaw
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s All Nuclear Daily Digest” RELATED MEDIA”:
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
Nuclear War Threats
Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There are no Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available on this weekend’s Saturday 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.
“Monday’s surprise attack risks a full return to fighting in a 17-month … Intelligence reports suggest that Russia may be sharing nuclear technology ..
Russian Presidential Envoy for International Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev has said that Russia is ready to supply a small nuclear power plant for the SpaceX mission to Mars.
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
Okay, I’ve decided to make Fridays “You’ve Got to be Kidding” day, partly because by Friday we need a short break from the concept of immanent death from troubled nuclear power plants and/or extermination from nuclear war.
The following short article from “Pravda” made me laugh as soon as I saw the headline, “Russia offers Elon Musk nuclear power plant for Mars flight” and that Russia considers Elon Musk to be a “Great Visionary”, so then I began to wonder what the details were all about . . .
So here’s the story for everyone to read — either for a few laughs or for a quick glance at “the future of humanity” that is mentioned at the end of the article. ~llaw
Russia offers Elon Musk nuclear power plant for Mars flight
Russian Presidential Envoy for International Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev has said that Russia is ready to supply a small nuclear power plant for the SpaceX mission to Mars.
Quote from Dmitriev: “Russia can offer a small-sized nuclear power plant for a mission to Mars and other advanced technological capabilities.”
Details: He added that the country has a number of nuclear technologies that could be useful for Mars’ exploration.
This is the second statement by a Russian official in a month about possible cooperation with Musk. Dmitriev called the businessman a “great visionary” and stressed the importance of the partnership.
Russia’s request coincided with talks between Moscow and Washington to restore bilateral relations despite the US sanctions. Elon Musk has previously said that his Starship rocket could go to Mars as early as the end of next year, with the first human landing taking place between 2029 and 2031.
Russia also plans to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon together with China by the mid-2030s, and in 2022 announced its intention to work on a Mars mission on its own after ending cooperation with the European Space Agency.
Background: Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said he was planning a meeting with Elon Musk. He stated that the main topic of the talks will be “the future of humanity”.Subscribed
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s ALL NUCLEAR DAILY DIGEST” RELATED MEDIA
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 & Other Volcanoes (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.
Ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste this weekend, find out how radiation technology can be applied to tackle the global crisis of plastic pollution. Read more →
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has this week been observing operational tests of diesel generators at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as part of ongoing efforts to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict in Ukraine, where the off-site power situation remains challenging, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Read more →
Protecting water resources is an important goal for all countries, especially as we see the impacts of climate change becoming more and more pronounced. “Isotope hydrology is a really useful tool for countries to help do this because it gives us a fingerprint of the water molecule,” explains Jodie Miller, head of the Isotope Hydrology Section at the IAEA. Read more →
The discharge of treated water from Fukushima Daiichi is proceeding in line with international safety standards, the IAEA Task Force confirmed today. Read more →
LLAW’s NUCLEAR WORLD NEWS TODAY and the GLOBAL RISKS & CONSEQUENCES TOMORROW
In My Opinion:
Is Trump so caught up in himself and dumb enough to think he can rule the world? It seems to me like he does, but it is obvious that he can’t even begin to run our own government, which is slowly dying on a near death rotting vine from his ruthless salivating demands without a second thought to virtually and illegally destroying the federal government. With the help of a know-nothing crony cabinet and a rich South African business man who wants to move to Mars, the USA is in shambles.
We all need to be shouting from the rooftops to our Republican friends and the congress that they and MAGA have ignorantly installed who are afraid to join-up with the real world and help impeach Trump (this time for real) and help sway the judicial system, including the Supreme Court, to follow their own Constitution and laws. ~llaw
Following is a “must read” article from “Bloomberg” (oddly by link only that takes you directly to the story) . . .
Sadly, from the Bloomberg article:
Then came Trump. And suddenly all prior assumptions were off. Trump has no interest in contests between democracy and autocracy. Instead, he aspires to become a strongman like Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin or Xi Jinping in Zhongnanhai.
Can Trump’s art of the deal beat a China-Russia-Iran-North Korea axis? If you’re a MAGA partisan, however, every national-security idea that might seem crazy — annexing Canada and Greenland, building Rivieras in the Gaza Strip, etc.
If you’re horrified by the foreign policy of President Donald Trump, you probably believe that he is betraying American friends (such as NATO and Ukraine), principles (democracy and sovereignty) and also interests (by sowing global chaos and anarchy)…
Please read on via the Deccan Herald link to the “Bloomberg” article just below:
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s ALL NUCLEAR DAILY DIGEST” RELATED MEDIA
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 & Other Volcanoes (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.
At the dawn of the nuclear age, American scientists unlocked the power of the atom, first to end World War II, then to create an arsenal and fuel the …
