Greetings!
In this issue we highlight new developments surrounding the JCPOA, North Korea, and Jordan; civil nuclear developments in Russia, and the U.S.; and updates on emerging technologies and threats. We also recommend several opinion pieces that caught our attention.
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We’re not connecting the dots on nuclear energy, climate change and global security, and that will create significant challenges in this century.
In the last month, two mainstream
think
tanks
identified how the closure of U.S. nuclear plants will make cutting carbon emissions more difficult. In a worst-case scenario, retiring nuclear plants would set back clean energy goals by 13 years.
China and other developing countries, on the other hand, see a role for nuclear power in limiting carbon emissions. Some are looking at advanced nuclear reactors that are smaller, less expensive, and easier to deploy.
These new plants will need to be effectively safeguarded to ensure their peaceful use, which will place a significant additional burden on the IAEA at mid-century. According to the
New York Times
, the IAEA currently has 300 inspectors monitoring nuclear activities in 180 countries, including 80 assigned to monitor the JCPOA, from which the U.S. just withdrew.
The potential denuclearization of the DPRK adds to concerns about a shortage of monitoring talent. Former IAEA inspector, David Kay, estimated that 300 inspectors alone would be needed if there is complete denuclearization in North Korea.
Nuclear energy, climate change, and global security. They’re linked, but we aren’t connecting the dots.
Kenneth Luongo,
President, Partnership for Global Security
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Nuclear Policy, Governance, and Geopolitics
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On May 8, President Trump
withdrew the U.S. from the
JCPOA and decided to reimpose sanctions on Iran. This could
influence talks with North Korea.
Iranian President Rouhani
said that the nuclear agreement could survive if the remaining negotiating parties provide sufficient guarantees within the next weeks. He warned that Iran will restart its enrichment activities if the deal collapses.
U.K. Prime Minister May, German Chancellor Merkel, and French President Macron
released a joint statement in support of the nuclear agreement, encouraging Iran to continue meeting its obligations under the deal.
Russia and
China also reinstated their support.
On April 26, Korean leaders Kim Jong Un and President Moon met at the Peace House over the DMZ and
agreed to work towards the “complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.” Mr. Kim
plans to invite foreign nuclear experts and journalists to witness the shutdown of the main nuclear test site.
Jordan is
holding talks with China on the potential construction of a helium gas-cooled reactor. It is also discussing the construction of small modular reactors (SMR) with Russia, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S.
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Civil Nuclear Developments
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DoE
awarded $60 million to 13 projects for the cost-shared and development of advanced reactor technology. NuScale
received $40 million to ensure that its SMR operates by 2026. Last month, NuScale’s SMR
passed NRC’s first and most intensive design certification phase.
NASA, Los Alamos National Laboratory and DoE
conducted successful full-power tests of the Kilopower project, a small, transportable nuclear reactor that would be able to generate reliable energy in space.
Over the next year, Russia’s first floating nuclear plant is being
transported to the remote arctic Russian port, Pevek.
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Nuclear Security and Emerging Technologies
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An analysis
explains that while nuclear plants are well-equipped to fend off cyber attacks from the outside, hackers are attempting to embed viruses through products and networks of trusted third party vendors.
A
report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute examines key target areas of cybersecurity and security gaps in critical infrastructures and provides an overview of measures taken at the Japanese national level, and regional and international levels.
The University of Lincoln
won a $1.5 million grant to develop artificial intelligence systems for self-learning robots deployed at nuclear sites.
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Neutron Bytes, April 29
Forbes, April 30
Vox, April 30
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, May 8
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Spotlight
Also, click
here to watch Mr. Luongo's testimony to the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense.
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The Partnership for Global Security (PGS) is a recognized international leader and innovator in nuclear and transnational security policy developing actionable responses to 21st century security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.
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Washington, DC 20005
202-332-1412
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