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December

• AXIS OF EVIL WEAPONRY VOA 27 Dec 2002 -- While the United States prepares for possible war with Iraq, two other axis of evil states, as defined by President Bush, are making alarming moves. North Korea quite clearly and Iran more obscurely are advancing their nuclear weapons programs in defiance of U-S policy. That presents the Bush administration with a strategic dilemma, to which it has so far offered no clear-cut response
• DOD DETAILS MILITARY SMALLPOX VACCINATION PROGRAM 13 Dec 2002 -- The Department of Defense today highlighted its plan to prepare for and respond to possible smallpox attacks against servicemembers. The Smallpox Vaccination Program is consistent with FDA guidelines and the best practice of medicine. This program supports the national smallpox preparedness plans announced by the President, but is tailored to the unique requirements of the Armed Forces. Like civilian communities, DoD will ensure preparedness by immunizing personnel based on their occupational responsibilities. These include smallpox response teams and hospital and clinic workers. DoD will proceed to vaccinate other designated forces having critical mission capabilities. DoD will use existing FDA-licensed smallpox vaccine. Like other vaccinations this will be mandated for designated personnel unless they are medically exempted
• The beauty of freedom (letter to editor) Air Combat Command News 12 Dec 2002-- At 5:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Dec. 11, my wife and I saw one of the most beautiful sights I can remember. Two B-2's made three passes over our coffee farm on the Big Island of Hawaii. They were flying into a gorgeous tropical sunset that is common this time of the year.
• Statement by the President 10 Dec 2002 -- Today I have issued the National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. The strategy establishes a comprehensive approach to counter the growing threat from weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical weapons.
• NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COMBAT WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION December 2002 -- "Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-nuclear, biological, and chemical-in the possession of hostile states and terrorists represent one of the greatest security challenges facing the United States. (...) An effective strategy for countering WMD, including their use and further proliferation, is an integral component of the National Security Strategy of the United States of America. As with the war on terrorism, our strategy for homeland security, and our new concept of deterrence, the U.S. approach to combat WMD represents a fundamental change from the past. To succeed, we must take full advantage of today's opportunities, including the application of new technologies, increased emphasis on intelligence collection and analysis, the strengthening of alliance relationships, and the establishment of new partnerships with former adversaries." [PDF 414 Kb]
• BUSH / WEAPONS VOA 10 Dec 2002-- The Bush administration is threatening to use "overwhelming force" against anyone who uses weapons of mass destruction against U-S troops
• Missile wings to ring in 2003 with new security forces groups Air Force Space Command News Service 06 Dec 2002-- A new year will bring a new organization to men and women who guard America's missile wings. Security forces at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Minot AFB, N.D., will split from operations and mission support groups in January to form their own security forces groups.

  November

• ASC helps put bombers closer to the fight Air Force Materiel Command 25 Nov 2002-- B-2 System Program Office shelter team experts here recently helped create transportable hangers that allow the Air Force's boomerang-shaped stealth bombers to deploy overseas for the first time ever.
• U.S. Confident in Future Potential of Missile Code of Conduct Washington File 25 Nov 2002-- A key U.S. State Department arms control official says the United States views the International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ICOC) "as an important addition to the wide range of tools available to countries to impede and roll back" the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) delivered by these missiles.
• FASTEST SUPERCOMPUTERS VOA 19 Nov 2002 -- The I-B-M Corporation is seeking to regain the distinction of building the world's fastest supercomputers. Japan's N-E-C Corporation now holds the distinction. But I-B-M is under contract to the U-S government to build two that together would leave the N-E-C machine far behind in processing speed. In fact, I-B-M says they would be faster than the world's top 500 existing supercomputers combined
• U.S., Russia, IAEA to Host "Dirty Bomb" Conference in 2003 Washington File 18 Nov 2002-- The United States, Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will jointly sponsor a three-day, international convention on radiological dispersal devices (RDD), or "dirty bombs," next March in Vienna, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced.
• U.S. Welcomes Biological Weapons Convention Work Plan Washington File 15 Nov 2002-- Rademaker describes BWC program as "constructive and realistic"
• Abraham Calls on Nations to Secure Civil Nuclear Materials Washington File 14 Nov 2002-- Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham says it would not take "exorbitant quantities of nuclear or radiological materials" for terrorists or rogue states to produce a "dirty bomb" or radiological dispersal device.
• Fact Sheet Shows U.S. Efforts to Combat Biological Weapons Threat Washington File 14 Nov 2002-- Following is a fact sheet from the U.S. Delegation to the 5th Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) held in Geneva November 14
• Transcript: Briefing On U.S. Army Technical Escort Unit 16 Nov 2003 -- Briefing On U.S. Army Technical Escort Unit (...) "Unfortunately, the majority of our missions are no notice, hazardous, and classified. Therefore, there haven't been many opportunities for you to see us in action first-hand. And so today we've put together a demonstration that revolves around three separate scenarios that represent support TEU could be asked to provide or has provided in the past. Before we begin, though, I'd like to take a minute and tell you a little bit about our unit. We are a one-of-a-kind battalion-level organization that is comprised of six companies located in four states, to provide a regional response capability to both our homeland and our combatant commanders. The battalion consists of both military and civilian men and women who stand ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to go wherever and whenever required."
• DOD RELEASES FIVE PROJECT 112 SHAD FACT SHEETS 06 Nov 2002 -- The Department of Defense today released five new detailed fact sheets on Cold War-era chemical and biological warfare tests conducted in support of Project 112. Project 112 was a comprehensive program initiated in 1962 out of concern for our nation's ability to protect and defend against these potential threats. With the publication of this information, DoD has released 45 fact sheets for 41 of 46 tests known to have been conducted by the Deseret Test Center.
• NORTH KOREA / IRAQ / US VOA 02 Nov 2002-- The Bush administration recently revealed that North Korea is operating a nuclear weapons program. The disclosure came just as Washington was aggressively attempting to stop a suspected weapons program in Iraq
• Bolton Says Rogue States Seek Weapons of Mass Destruction Washington File 01 Nov 2002-- Continuing evidence over the past 12 months that state sponsors of terrorism have been stepping up activities involving weapons of mass destruction has prompted the United States to emphasize compliance with existing arms control agreements such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention, a senior State Department official says.

  October

• Presidents Bush, Fox Discuss Migration, North Korea, Iraq Washington File 26 Oct 2002-- President Bush says he and Mexican President Vicente Fox seek to deal with the issue of Mexicans who migrate to the United States in search of work "in a way that recognizes reality, and in a way that treats the Mexican citizens who are in the United States with respect."
• ACC releases E-4B accident report Air Combat Command News 23 Oct 2002-- Air Force investigators have determined that a design flaw caused an accident involving a high frequency antenna assembly failure on an E-4B aircraft May 13.
• Bangor gets a new ship on the block COMSUBPAC Release 17 Oct 2002-- The first Trident submarine to change homeports to Bangor in more than 15 years pulled into port at Marginal Pier Oct. 17. The Gold crew of USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) piloted the ship from its former homeport, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., to Bangor in about 80 days.
• Briefing on Cold War-era Chemical and Biological Warfare Tests 09 Oct 2002 -- "He's the assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. He's here today to discuss with you 27 Cold-War-era chemical and biological tests that were part of a comprehensive program that was initiated nearly four decades ago out of concern by the department and the United States government with respect to our ability to protect and defend against these potential threats. It was known as Project 112. The 27 tests that are being released today are in addition to what the department released earlier, actually last September, a year last September, and January and May of this year, in which we released a total of 10 other test findings."
• DOD RELEASES DESERET TEST CENTER/PROJECT 112/PROJECT SHAD FACT SHEETS 09 Oct 2002 -- The Department of Defense today released another 28 detailed fact sheets on 27 Cold War-era chemical and biological warfare tests identified as Project 112. Project 112 was a comprehensive program initiated in 1962 out of concern for our ability to protect and defend against these potential threats. This is in addition to the 12 fact sheets for 10 tests released in September 2001 and January and May this year.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction Are Major Terrorist Threat Washington File 08 Oct 2002-- Say co-chairs of U.S. Commission on National Security
• Deactivation of Peacekeeper missiles begins AFPN 04 Oct 2002-- On a blustery day in a remote corner of the plains of Wyoming, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche made a special trip to witness the first phase of the deactivation process of the Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missile at Launch Facility S-07 near Hawk Springs, Wyo.

  September

• Background Briefing on Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction 13 Sept 2002-- Senior Defense Official: I made mention of the fact that we have seen use by organizations who intend to terrorize civilian populations, and here's a list going back at least to the mid-1980s. The Aum Shinrikyo attacks are the ones that I think most people recall most immediately, but there were others that have taken place. The Egyptian Islamic Jihad is an organization which, by its name, lives in Egypt and has been associated with a number of terrorist organizations. One of their operatives was arrested in '98, for example. He's serving a life sentence in Egypt at the moment. But he claimed -- and here's where I want to talk a bit about the claims -- that his group had chemical and biological weapons. So that was in 1998.
• Text: Destabilizing Consequences of Weapons Proliferation Around Globe Cited Washington File 13 Sept 2002-- A State Department non-proliferation expert says new weapons programs and delivery systems in the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia pose "real, destabilizing consequences."
• Mass Weapons Danger Real, Iraq not Only Country of Concern AFPS 13 Sept 2002-- While Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program poses the most immediate danger, other countries are also of concern, said a senior defense official Sept. 13.

  August

• Bolton Cites Need to Respond to Biological Weapons Threat Washington File 27 Aug 2002-- The United States and its allies must remain "creative, vigilant and forward-looking" in dealing with the threat posed by biological weapons, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton said during a briefing at the Tokyo American Center August 27.
• Bolton Fields Queries on Iraq, North Korea Washington File 26 Aug 2002-- The U.S. government remains "very concerned about North Korea's outward proliferation activities," Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton said at a briefing at the Tokyo American Center August 26.
• DOD PROJECT 112/SHAD INVESTIGATION INFO NOW ON-LINE 13 Aug 2002 -- The Department of Defense announced today enhanced efforts to communicate the results of the Project 112/Shipboard Hazard and Defense investigation. A revised site now includes a status report of the declassification of medically relevant information of all Project 112 chemical and biological warfare agent tests conducted in the 1960s. The Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) program was a subset of Project 112 tests conducted by the Deseret Test Center. Between 1963 and 1970 under Project 112, 109 tests were planned.

  July

• Rumsfeld: U.S. Will Continue to Provide Allies with Nuclear Umbrella Washington File 25 Jul 2002-- Says nuclear level should keep nations from "sprint to parity"
• U.S. Welcomes New Head of Chemical Weapons Organization Washington File 25 Jul 2002-- The United States welcomes the appointment of Argentine diplomat Rogelio Pfirter as the new Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), says State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.
• Top U.S. Military Official Highlights Moscow Treaty Benefits Washington File 25 Jul 2002-- The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told key senators that the new Moscow Treaty will enable the United States "to make deep reductions in strategic nuclear warheads while preserving our flexibility to meet unpredictable strategic changes."
• Larson Praises G-8 Initiative on Weapons of Mass Destruction Washington File 25 Jul 2002-- The agreement by the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations to raise up to $20,000 million over 10 years to combat the proliferation and spread of weapons of mass destruction, improve nuclear safety, and counter terrorism, was "the most notable achievement" of the recent G-8 summit in Canada, a senior U.S. Department of State official says.
• U.S. Sanctions Chinese, Indian Entities for Proliferation Violation Washington File 25 Jul 2002-- The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on nine Chinese entities and one Indian individual for the transfer of goods and technology that contribute to the efforts of Iran and Iraq to acquire chemical weapons and advanced conventional weapons, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement July 24.
• Lugar Urges More Controls on Weapons of Mass Destruction Washington File 19 Jul 2002-- The following article by U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (Republican-Indiana) appeared in the latest issue of "U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda" devoted to the topic "Weapons of Mass Destruction: The New Strategic Framework."
• Rumsfeld Urges Senate to Consent to Moscow Treaty Washington File 18 Jul 2002-- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld called on the Senate to ratify the Moscow Treaty negotiated with Russia by the Bush administration, arguing that the nuclear arms reduction accord reflects a "fundamental transformation in the U.S.-Russian relationship."
• "U.S. Approaches to Nonproliferation," by John Wolf Washington File 18 Jul 2002-- The following article by Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation John Wolf appeared in the latest issue of "U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda" devoted to the topic "Weapons of Mass Destruction: The New Strategic Framework."
• "The New Strategic Framework," by Under Secretary of State John Bolton Washington File 18 Jul 2002-- The following article by Under Secretary of State John Bolton appeared in the latest issue of "U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda" devoted to the topic "Weapons of Mass Destruction: The New Strategic Framework."
• Rumsfeld Asks Senate to Support Nuke Reduction Treaty AFPS 18 Jul 2002-- The Moscow Treaty that calls for the United States and Russia to cut offensive nuclear weapons signifies a new way of the former enemies to do business, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
• U-S / RUSSIA / ARMS VOA 17 Jul 2002-- U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is urging the Senate to ratify the nuclear arms reduction treaty that Washington reached with Moscow earlier this year. But some lawmakers have concerns about the pact
• DOD EXPANDS SHAD INVESTIGATION 09 Jul 2002 -- The Department of Defense announced today an expansion of the Shipboard Hazard and Defense investigation. A team of investigators will travel to Dugway Proving Ground in mid-August to review Deseret Test Center records.
• U-S-RUSSIA ARMS VOA 09 Jul 2002-- Secretary of State Colin Powell was the first witness Tuesday as the U-S Senate opened ratification hearings on the strategic arms reduction treaty signed by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow May 24th. The agreement would slash the deployed nuclear arsenals of both countries by two-thirds over the next decade
• CONGRESS NUCLEAR VOA 09 Jul 2002-- The U-S Senate has approved (by voice vote) the government's plan to create the nation's first permanent nuclear waste storage facility in (the western state of) Nevada. The bill, which has already passed the House, now goes to President Bush for his signature.
• Powell Says U.S. Plans to Cut Total Strategic Warheads to 4,600 Washington File 09 Jul 2002-- Testifies on Bush-Putin Moscow Treaty before Senate panel
• Powell Urges Quick Senate Action on Moscow Treaty Washington File 09 Jul 2002-- Secretary of State Colin Powell says swift ratification of the new strategic arms reduction agreement between the United States and Russia will enhance national security and help turn a strategic rivalry into a genuine strategic partnership.

  June

• DOD ANNOUNCES MERGER OF U.S. SPACE AND STRATEGIC COMMANDS 26 Jun 2002 -- As part of the ongoing initiative to transform the U.S. military into a 21st century fighting force, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld today announced the intention to merge two unified commands whose missions include control of America's nuclear forces, military space operations, computer network operations, strategic warning and global planning.
• Missile alert facility reopens AFPN 26 Jun 2002-- A remote North Dakota missile alert facility that burned to the ground just after Thanksgiving two years ago was officially reopened June 21.
• Byliner: Richard Meserve Says Nuclear Material Tracked Closely Washington File 24 Jun 2002-- On behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, I want to assure the American people that the NRC is taking appropriate steps to ensure that the nation's nuclear facilities and materials are secure against terrorist attacks, including so-called dirty bombs.
• BUSH / RUSSIA / ARMS VOA 20 Jun 2002-- President Bush has submitted a new U-S arms reduction treaty with Russia to the United States Senate for ratification
• Bush Sends New Arms Reduction Treaty to Senate for Ratification Washington File 20 Jun 2002-- President Bush on June 20 sent the new U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction treaty to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification.
• Text: Bush Sends New Arms Reduction Treaty to Senate for Ratification Washington File 20 Jun 2002-- President Bush on June 20 sent the new U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction treaty to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification.
• NUCLEAR FREEZE CALL VOA 11 Jun 2002-- Prominent anti-nuclear campaigners have joined with a member of congress in a warning about what they call a "new nuclear danger."
• Wolf Says Russia, China Must Pursue Non-proliferation Washington File 06 Jun 2002-- A key State Department non-proliferation official says Russia faces the threat of U.S. sanctions if it does not improve enforcement efforts aimed at halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction to Iran and other countries.
• U.S.-RUSSIA NUCLEAR ACCORD VOA 05 Jun 2002-- On his European trip, President George W. Bush stopped in Russia. There, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty to reduce U-S and Russian nuclear arsenals to about two-thirds of their current levels. The number of deployed nuclear warheads will go from about five or six thousand to between seventeen-hundred and two-thousand. The agreement reflects the new relationship between Russia and the United States, but it is also part of a broader imperative to limit weapons of mass destruction and terrorist access to those weapons. As President Bush said, "The attacks of September 11th made clear that the new dangers of our age threaten all nations, including Russia. The months since have made clear that by working together against these threats, we multiply our effectiveness. Joining me to talk about the U-S-Russia accord and its implications is John Bolton, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
• BUSH/RUSSIA VOA 05 Jun 2002-- President Bush wants the Senate to move quickly to approve his nuclear arms treaty with Russia

  May

• Transcript: Powell Says Moscow Treaty Consistent with Previous Treaties Washington File 25 Jun 2002-- Secretary of State Colin Powell says the Treaty of Moscow -- the strategic offensive reduction treaty signed by President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Moscow summit May 24 -- is consistent with previous treaties such as START I and II in that it deals with warheads on launchers but not warheads in storage.
• Fact Sheet: Moscow Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions Washington File 24 Jun 2002-- Today, President George W. Bush and President Vladimir Putin signed the Moscow Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions. Under this Treaty, the United States and Russia will reduce their strategic nuclear warheads to a level of 1700-2200 by December 31, 2012, a level nearly two-thirds below current levels.
• Rice Briefs on Bush Trip to Europe Washington File 21 Jun 2002-- On his upcoming trip to Europe, President Bush will talk about the progress being made towards "a Europe, whole, free and at peace, in which Russia finds its place," and will reaffirm the transatlantic alliance and the need to meet post-9/11 challenges, says National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.
• U.S.-IAEA Additional Protocol Sent to Senate Washington File 200 Jun 2002-- On May 9 President Bush sent to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification the U.S.-International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Additional Protocol. This is a protocol to the 1980 U.S.-IAEA Safeguards Agreement.
• U-S/Russia Arms Reduction Agreement VOA 17 Jun 2002-- Russia and the United States have reached an agreement to reduce the number of nuclear weapons they possess. Russian and American diplomats have been negotiating the deal for months. President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin say they will sign the treaty next week when Mister Bush visits Moscow.
• U-S / RUSSIA VOA 15 Jun 2002-- American experts are applauding the recently-announced nuclear weapons cuts from Washington and Moscow, but warn they do not mean that the nuclear threat from Russia is over. Speaking in Washington recently (at the Council on Foreign Relations),two U-S analysts say that following the end of the Cold War, Russia's own interests may be producing a different kind of threat -- the threat of nuclear proliferation driven by economic pressures
• Bush Announces U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Reduction Agreement Washington File 13 Jun 2002-- PRESIDENT: Today I'm pleased to announce that the United States and Russia have agreed to a treaty which will substantially reduce our nuclear arsenals to the agreed-upon range of 1,700 to 2,200 warheads. This treaty will liquidate the legacy of the Cold War.
• Arms Treaty Marks New Era in U.S.-Russia Relations Washington File 13 Jun 2002-- The new arms control treaty to be signed by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin at their upcoming summit is significant not only because it reduces the number of weapons on each side by two thirds but also because it "recognizes the new relationship, the new era in U.S.-Russia relations in that we are no longer concerned about the way the Russians configure their forces, nor are they concerned about the way in which we configure ours," says a senior U.S. administration official.
• Senator Lugar Welcomes New U.S.-Russia Arms Reduction Pact Washington File 13 Jun 2002-- Winning the war on terrorism must be defined not only in terms of destroying terrorist cells but also undertaking the ambitious goal "of comprehensively preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Senator Richard G. Lugar (Republican-Indiana) said May 13 in a statement welcoming the news of a new U.S.-Russia arms control agreement.
• Senator Biden Welcomes New U.S.-Russia Arms Control Treaty Washington File 13 Jun 2002-- Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (Democrat-Delaware), chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, says it is "very good news" that the United States and Russia have reached agreement to significantly reduce their nuclear arsenals, and he commended President Bush for his leadership on the issue.
• U-S-RUSSIA ARMS VOA 03 Jun 2002-- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov held a day of meetings in Washington Friday with President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell in an effort to have a nuclear arms reduction deal ready for the Bush summit visit to Russia in three weeks. Progress was reported, but there is still no final accord

  April

• Background Briefing en route to Moscow 29 Apr 2002-- Senior Defense Official: What the Nuclear Posture Review stated was that the United States needed the ability to respond to changes in the security environment that might be unforeseen. This is particularly true given the fact that under present circumstances, our nuclear weapons complex is not in a position to respond well to those changes by producing new weapons or producing new warheads that might go on existing systems. So we felt that it was prudent to hang onto a portion of those systems and give us the flexibility to respond to those changes, if necessary, as we draw down the operationally deployed force. It has really been the focus of arms control for the last 20 or 30 years -- those weapons that are actually on top of existing missiles and that are available for use on bomber weapons or in bomber forces.
• Secretary Rumsfeld Joint Media Availability with Minister Ivanov - Apr. 29 29 Apr 2002-- Rumsfeld: Over the decades, the relationship has tended to be about arms control. And as we stand here in front of this group, I wouldn't want to leave the impression that that is the way it is today. The relationship between the United States and Russia is different in breadth and dimension. It is evolving in a way that the discussions we have today are not simply about arms control, but rather, it's a multifaceted relationship that involves political and economic, as well as security issues. And the discussions that Defense Minister Ivanov and I have from time to time cover a full range of subjects, as they should between two nations that are no longer enemies.
• Defense Official Says U.S.-Russia Arms Pact Still Possible 29 Apr 2002-- It's still "a possibility" that a legally binding strategic arms agreement will be ready for President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign at their May summit, a senior defense official told journalists during a background briefing on the U.S. defense secretary's plane en route to Moscow April 29.

  March

• Bolton Sees Progress in Arms Reduction Talks with Russia Washington File 29 Mar 2002-- The State Department's top arms control official says the United States and Russia are currently engaged in negotiations to codify in a legally binding agreement reductions in strategically deployed nuclear warheads in preparation for a May U.S.-Russia summit.
• U-S/RUSSIA/NUCLEAR VOA 22 Mar 2002-- A senior United States official says progress has been made in two days of U-S-Russian talks about ways to cut nuclear weapons
• U.S., Russia Hold Third Session of Arms Reduction Negotiations Washington File 21 Mar 2002-- Seek accord on more reductions for next U.S.-Russian summit
• State Official Details Threat of Chemical, Biological Weapons Washington File 19 Mar 2002-- I can't think of an intelligence problem more difficult at any level than dealing with biological weapons and chemical weapons," a senior State Department intelligence official told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee March 19. "A lot of resources are applied to the problem. But boy, it is hard."
• Wolfowitz Says U.S. Nuclear Objective is Deterrence Washington File 17 Mar 2002-- The U.S. does not envisage the use of nuclear weapons in its latest strategy review, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. The objective, he said, is "to deter other people from using weapons of mass destruction against us."
• Byliner: Sokolsky and Rumer on Nuclear Alarmists Washington File 15 Mar 2002-- This column is by Richard D. Sokolsky and Eugene B. Rumer, senior research fellows at the National Defense University's Institute for National Strategic Studies.
• U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY: IS WASHINGTON 'RETHINKING THE UNTHINKABLE'? Foreign Media Reaction 15 Mar 2002-- U.S. press reports on the Pentagon's "Nuclear Posture Review" have provoked widespread concern and a good deal of confusion in foreign media outlets.
• White House Report: Nuclear Policy, Libya, Afghanistan, Colombia Washington File 14 Mar 2002-- The Bush administration's nuclear policy, "is not a new policy. In fact, the most new element" in the January 2002 nuclear posture review is President Bush's follow-through on his campaign promise to unilaterally lower the level of offensive nuclear weapons, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said in response to a reporter's question.
• U-S/RUSSIA VOA 13 Mar 2002-- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the United States and Russia are likely to adopt a legally-binding agreement formalizing plans to sharply reduce their arsenals of long-range nuclear weapons
• BUSH NUCLEAR REVIEW VOA 13 Mar 2002-- President Bush says he is committed to reducing America's nuclear arsenal. But he also stresses the United States will do what it must to deter attacks from other countries including Iraq
• POWELL-NUCLEAR POLICY VOA 12 Mar 2002-- Secretary of State Colin Powell is rejecting suggestions that a nuclear policy review underway in the Bush administration would make the United States more prone to use nuclear weapons or require a resumption of nuclear testing. He spoke at a Senate hearing Tuesday in response to members' concerns about the draft policy
• Powell Rejects Reports U.S. Is Boosting Reliance on Nuclear Weapons Washington File 12 Mar 2002-- He says nuclear threshold has not been lowered
• PENTAGON/NUCLEAR VOA 11 Mar 2002-- The Pentagon is downplaying concerns that the Bush administration may be lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons.
• U-S/NUCLEAR PLANNING VOA 10 Mar 2002-- Bush administration officials say a Pentagon report on nuclear planning does not represent a major change in U-S policy. And they deny the United States is developing a new class of nuclear weapons for possible future use
• Defense Dept. Refuses Comment on Leaked Nuclear Weapons Review Washington File 10 Mar 2002-- Responding to news reports March 9 based on leaked copies of a secret Defense Department review of U.S. nuclear weapons plans, the department refused comment on details, but said the review was the latest in a long series conducted ever since nuclear weapons were first developed.

  February

• Feith Says U.S. Is Developing New Defense Triad Washington File 15 Feb 2002-- The United States is developing a "New Triad" as the cornerstone of its 21st century defense strategy that comprises a diverse set of nuclear and non-nuclear, offensive and defensive capabilities, a top Pentagon policy official says.
• U.S. Supports Universal Code Against Missile Proliferation Washington File 11 Feb 2002-- The United States supports efforts to establish a universal code of conduct against missile proliferation, a State Department spokesman said February 11.
• Text: New U.S. Envoy Says Peace, Security Are Disarmament Goals Washington File 07 Feb 2002-- U.S. Ambassador Eric Javits, speaking at the plenary session of the U.N. Conference on Disarmament, says the United States places international peace and security as a primary goal, but national security is also necessary and essential.
• Abraham Plans Accelerated Cleanup at Former Nuclear Weapons Sites VOA 05 Jul 2002-- U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham has announced a new accelerated cleanup plan for the nation's Cold War era nuclear weapons production sites.
• POWELL-RUSSIA ARMS Washington File 05 Feb 2002-- Secretary of State Colin Powell, in a concession to Moscow, says a new strategic arms control agreement under discussion by the two nuclear powers should be in the form of a legally-binding document

  January

• Text: New CIA Report Documents Global Weapons Proliferation Trends Washington File 31 Jan 2002-- A new report submitted to Congress January 30 by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is changing in ways that are increasingly difficult to monitor, thereby "increasing the risk" of their possible future surprise use.
• Interview: Key Official Says U.S. Is Committed to Nonproliferation Washington File 30 Jan 2002-- The new U.S. assistant secretary of state for nonproliferation says the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon should be a reminder to the civilized world that it needs to combat "with every ounce of strength" terrorist efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD), because if terrorists possess them "they will use them."
• Text: U.S. Official Defends Security at Nuclear Weapons Sites Washington File 25 Jan 2002-- A U.S. official says allegations that the Department of Energy has lax security at its nuclear weapons facilities are false and misleading.
• U-N / U-S / DISARMAMENT VOA 24 Jan 2002-- The United States is calling for increased pressure on countries that aid the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as part of its international war on terrorism
• Transcript: Bolton Says U.S. Will Not Resume Nuclear Testing Washington File 24 Jan 2002-- Under Secretary of State John Bolton says the Bush administration has no plans to resume nuclear testing, which was halted by the United States in 1992.
• Text: Abraham Announces Plan to Dispose of Surplus Plutonium Washington File 24 Jan 2002-- The U.S. Department of Energy will dispose of 34 metric tons of surplus weapons grade plutonium by turning it into fuel for nuclear reactors.
• Text: Bolton Calls for Stronger Curbs on Weapons of Mass Destruction Washington File 24 Jan 2002-- Under Secretary of State John Bolton called on the 66-nation Conference on Disarmament to approve stricter controls on the spread of weapons of mass destruction because of the threat they pose to international security.
• U-S/NUKE LAB SECURITY VOA 23 Jan 2002-- A U-S congressman is criticizing the Energy Department, saying it has failed to provide adequate security at the country's nuclear facilities. The criticism, which U-S energy officials reject, is based on a report by a private government oversight group that says terrorists could gain access to materials and build and detonate a nuclear device within minutes
• U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY: 'SLEIGHT OF HAND' DOESN'T ESCAPE FOREIGN NOTICE Foreign Media Reaction 18 Jan 2002-- The U.S.' "Nuclear Posture Review"--particularly its plans to store rather than destroy some nuclear warheads, and to shorten the lead time on any future nuclear weapons tests--was the subject of limited but, nonetheless, pointed criticism from Russia, European capitals, Canada, Australia and China. A Canadian paper suggested that, with the world's press diverted by other hot-button foreign policy issues, the U.S. may have hoped that last week's Pentagon briefing on the NPR would not cause much of a ripple overseas. A cadre of editorialists, however, put the spotlight on what was widely seen as "deceitful posturing" on the part of the Bush administration: Belying the president's "promised bold thinking on the U.S. nuclear deterrent," the U.S. was, in their view, using "an accounting sleight of hand" to make sure that any heralded arms cuts are "eminently reversible." The prospect of resumed nuclear testing further raised hackles for many analysts, who saw it as one more affront to international arms control. Some complained that the U.S. seems determined to have the CTBT go the way of the soon-to-be-defunct ABM Treaty, thus further "impairing international confidence in arms control." A recent round of U.S.-Russian arms talks, which "ended in practically nothing" according to Russian commentators, added to the generally aggrieved tone in Moscow media. Highlights follow:
• U.S., Russian Defense Officials Conclude Early Arms Talks Washington File 17 Jan 2002-- Delegates agree to series of working groups
• Transcript: DOD Briefing on U.S.-Russia Strategic Force Talks Washington File 16 Jan 2002-- The United States and Russia are continuing to work on a new way of looking at international strategic stability, a Defense Department official told journalists in a briefing January 16 at the conclusion of two days of talks at the Pentagon with a Russian delegation.
• U-S / NUKE STRATEGY VOA 09 Jan 2002-- Bush Administration officials confirmed Wednesday that the United States plans to store rather than destroy some of the nuclear missiles being dismantled as part of an arms reduction agreement with Russia
• Special Briefing on the Nuclear Posture Review 09 Jan 2002-- Special briefing on the results of the Nuclear Posture Review [NPR]. Also participating were Rear Adm. Barry M. Costello, deputy director for Strategy and Policy, Joint Staff; John Harvey, director, Office of Policy, Planning, Assessment and Analysis, Department of Energy; and Richard McGraw, principal deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.
• Review Changes Status of Nuclear Deterrent 09 Jan 2002-- DoD is embarked on making fundamental changes to America's nuclear deterrent, said J.D. Crouch, assistant defense secretary for international security policy.
• U.S. Will Rely Less On Strategic Nuclear Weapons, Reduce Arsenal Washington File 09 Jan 2002-- Greater focus due on conventional arms, missile defense