Quote of the Day
The closer they get to having a bomb, and the closer they are perceived to be, you can expect Iran's neighbors to start acting on the assumption that Iran is going to have a bomb.
--Israeli Ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor, arguing that Iran's nuclear program could spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
Top Stories
Debate Persists Over Suspected Anthrax Mailer
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeffrey Taylor outlines the FBI's allegations against Bruce Ivins in an August press briefing (Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images).
The FBI is preparing to end its years-long investigation into the 2001 anthrax mailings, but the bureau has yet to obtain conclusive evidence linking its sole suspect in the case to the chain of powder-tainted letters that killed five people and sowed fear of biological terrorism into the public consciousness, the New York Times reported Sunday (see GSN, Dec. 19, 2008).
Federal investigators spent years focusing their suspicion on Stephen Hatfill, a former virologist at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Md., until agents finally ruled out his involvement (see GSN, Nov. 26, 2008).
Investigators later reviewed evidence and honed in on Bruce Ivins, a microbiologist at the Fort Detrick laboratory who secretly suffered from alcohol abuse and psychological problems, the Times reported. Ivins committed suicide last July as federal prosecutors prepared charges against him.
Iranian Nuclear Work Threatens Region, Says Israeli Official
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor recently urged the United States and other nations to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images).
Israel's ambassador to the United States has warned that Iran's controversial nuclear activities are "the most critical issue for America and the Western world" and could ignite a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, Newsweek reported Saturday (see GSN, Dec. 24, 2008).
The United States and other Western powers have urged Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program, which can produce nuclear power plant fuel but also a key nuclear bomb ingredient. Tehran insists its nuclear work has no military component.
"The closer they get to having a bomb, and the closer they are perceived to be, you can expect Iran's neighbors to start acting on the assumption that Iran is going to have a bomb," Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor said, adding that Iran would acquire enough low-enriched uranium this year to ultimately power one weapon (see GSN, Dec. 3, 2008).
Two Officials Want to Keep Anniston CW Disposal Site Open
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
Munitions Handler Chris Moore prepares to destroy the final VX-filled land mine at Alabama's Anniston Army Depot last month (U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency).
Two local officials believe that the chemical weapons disposal plant in Anniston, Ala., should not be shuttered when it finishes destroying the site's stockpile of lethal warfare materials, the Associated Press reported last week (see GSN, Jan. 5).
Nearly 1,000 jobs would be lost when the U.S. Army's Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility completes operations, according to Calhoun County Commission Chairman Eli Henderson. "We have all those people out there, experts on hand, resources and money tied up in it," Henderson, whose county houses the plant, told the Anniston Star.
The incinerator began operations in 2003 and last month completed destruction of all nerve agent weapons stored at the Anniston Army Depot. It is set next to begin eliminating mustard blister agent.
Recent Stories
Iran Poses Main Mideast Challenge, Bush Adviser Says
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009Iran is likely to be the greatest Middle East policy challenge for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office this month, President George W. Bush's national security adviser warned yesterday (see GSN, Jan. 6).
Pakistan Denies Indian Terror Allegations
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009Pakistani officials yesterday denied any support for the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, refuting stepped-up allegations from India, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Jan. 6).
Kenya to Surrender Seized Uranium for Analysis
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009Kenya planned to send a cache of seized uranium abroad for analysis after the nation's measurement equipment failed to determine the full radiation level emitted by the material, the Nairobi Daily Nation reported yesterday (see GSN, Dec. 18, 2008).
U.S. Must Stand Firm in North Korea Nuclear Talks, Experts Say
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009The Obama administration must take a firm line on North Korean denuclearization in order to ensure that the Stalinist state does not essentially make itself into a nuclear power by continually extending the process, two U.S. experts said in a policy report yesterday (see GSN, Jan. 6).
NRC Deploys Radioactive Material Tracking System
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission unveiled an expanded system Monday for recording the siting, usage and final disposition of materials that could help fuel a radiological "dirty bomb," Environment and Energy reported (see GSN, April 17, 2008).
Areva Seeks Approval to Enrich Uranium in U.S.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009International nuclear industry giant Areva has applied for U.S. regulatory approval to build a uranium enrichment plant in Idaho, a site that would be just the second such facility in the United States, the company announced last week (see GSN, Dec. 18, 2008).
Bush Administration Could Release Disputed Radiological Cleanup Guide
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009The Bush administration has scheduled this month the release of Environmental Protection Agency draft guidelines that could dramatically loosen requirements for decontaminating sites affected by radiological incidents such as a "dirty bomb" attack, Risk Policy Report reported yesterday (see GSN, April 30, 2008).