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Articles by Julia Masterson
Laserhub: Digitale Plattform für zeichnungsgebundene Metallteile
Stand: 20.11.2020 Es ist für uns eine Selbstverständlichkeit, dass wir verantwortungsvoll mit Ihren personenbezogenen Daten umgehen. Sofern wir personenbezogene Daten von Ihnen erheben, verarbeiten wir diese unter Beachtung der geltenden Datenschutzvorschriften. Detaillierte Informationen finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklärung. Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass die Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planckstr. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg einschließlich aller mit ihr im Sinne der §§ 15 ff.
Laserhub: Digitale Plattform für zeichnungsgebundene Metallteile
Stand: 20.11.2020 Es ist für uns eine Selbstverständlichkeit, dass wir verantwortungsvoll mit Ihren personenbezogenen Daten umgehen. Sofern wir personenbezogene Daten von Ihnen erheben, verarbeiten wir diese unter Beachtung der geltenden Datenschutzvorschriften. Detaillierte Informationen finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklärung. Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass die Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planckstr. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg einschließlich aller mit ihr im Sinne der §§ 15 ff.
IAEA Report Demonstrates Urgent Need to Restore JCPOA
As the fate of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal hangs in balance, a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reveals that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile continues to expand. According to that report, Iran is now closer than ever to having enough highly enriched uranium-235 that, when further enriched, would be enough for a nuclear bomb.
March 2022 Iran News
"I want to tell you that your fact sheet on the [Missile Technology Control Regime] is very well done and useful for me when I have to speak on MTCR issues."
Work Continues on Middle Eastern WMD-Free Zone
January/February 2022 By Mary Ann Hurtado and Julia Masterson A UN conference has established an informal working committee to further deliberations on creating a zone free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East. Participating states made the decision by consensus at the second annual session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, held Nov. 29–Dec. 3 in New York.
Iran’s Failure to Cooperate with the IAEA is Raising Tensions
Iran’s refusal to allow inspectors to access a site in Iran where centrifuge components are produced is escalating tensions ahead of the resumption of talks to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) most recent report on Iran’s nuclear activities, finalized Nov.
September 2021 Chinese Missile Silos News
"I want to tell you that your fact sheet on the [Missile Technology Control Regime] is very well done and useful for me when I have to speak on MTCR issues."
IAEA Report on Iran Raises Serious Concerns About Monitoring
The most recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran’s nuclear program paints a bleak picture of the agency’s current ability to monitor Tehran’s nuclear activities and the new Iranian government’s willingness to cooperate with the agency.
New Chinese Missile Silo Fields Discovered
September 2021 By Shannon Bugos and Julia Masterson China is constructing at least 250 new long-range missile silos at as many as three locations, fueling concerns that it aims to substantially expand its nuclear weapons arsenal. Beijing’s rapid nuclear buildup, recently revealed through open-source intelligence analysis, could significantly impact the Biden administration’s Nuclear Posture Review and arms control and strategic stability talks between the United States and Russia.
The Future of Iran Nuclear Deal Remains Uncertain
By Kelsey Davenport, Julia Masterson, and Sang-Min Kim While Kelsey Davenport is director for nonproliferation policy, Julia Masterson is research associate, and Sang-Min Kim is Scoville Fellow at the Arms Control Association. This article first appeared in Arms Control Now of the Association on August 11, 2021. WAHINGTON, DC (IDN) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pledged to pursue “smart engagement” in order to lift sanctions on Iran during his Aug. 5 inauguration speech.
July/August 2021 - Iran President News
"Though we have acheived progress, our work is not over. That is why I support the mission of the Arms Control Association. It is, quite simply, the most effective and important organization working in the field today."
The Eroding Norms Against Chemical Weapons Use Will Need More Than Another Syria Censure to Survive
The international community is ratcheting up efforts to hold the Syrian government accountable for violating international law by its use of chemical weapons, a particularly gruesome and indiscriminate type of warfare. In April, an overwhelming majority of signatories to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) voted to suspend Syria’s rights and privileges under the treaty.
May 2021 CW News homepage slide
"[Arms Control Today is] Absolutely essential reading for the upcoming Congressional budget debate on the 2018 NPR and its specific recommendations ... well-informed, insightful, balanced, and filled with common sense."
Iran, U.S. Take Steps Toward Restoring Nuclear Deal
May 2021 By Julia Masterson World powers were back in Vienna the week of April 27, trying to accelerate their efforts to bring the United States and Iran into compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran, the five other members of the deal, and the United States have spent most of April in the Austrian capital discussing ways to restore the accord.
Optimism Over Progress in Vienna Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal
By Kelsey Davenport, Julia Masterson and Sang-Min Kim While Kelsey Davenport is Director for Nonproliferation Policy and Julia Masterson, Research Associate at the Arms Control Association, Sang-Min Kim is Scoville Fellow. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — The United States, Iran, and the other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal expressed varying degrees of optimism over the progress made during recent talks in Vienna on the necessary steps to restore full implementation of the accord.
US Intelligence - Iran is not engaged in Weaponization Activities
[ Editor’s Note: Oh my, this DNI report is dated April 9th, but seems to have been put on ice until yesterday. Imagine that. It seems to have been held back until half way through the talks and some positive momentum being established. The report is upbeat in that the initial hurdles have been overcome via the front end sparing that took place as both sides took tough positions, with the EU in the middle playing the referee role.
E3 Put JCPOA at Risk, Luckily Cooler Heads in Vienna Prevailed
An exercise of restraint at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Board of Governors meeting may have preserved the space for diplomatic efforts to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, in part due to efforts by the United States and others to sway Britain, France, and Germany from pursuing a gratuitous resolution censuring Tehran.
Iran Grows Uranium Stockpile
December 2020 By Julia Masterson Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium continues to expand, according to a Nov. 11 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tehran has now accumulated 2,443 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 4.5 percent, roughly 12 times the limit of 202 kilograms of 3.67 percent enriched uranium set by the 2015 nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
North Korea Tests First Missiles of 2020
April 2020 By Julia Masterson North Korea launched a series of short-range missiles in March, marking its first missile tests in 2020 and signaling Pyongyang’s intent to follow through with leader Kim Jong Un’s promise to possess a “new strategic weapon” in the near future. Kim announced North Korea would continue to develop “necessary and prerequisite strategic weapons” throughout the year in his speech at a plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, held Dec.
Iran’s Accumulation of Enriched Uranium Slows
Although the troubling growth of Iran’s uranium enrichment stockpile continues, the most recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicates that Tehran’s accumulation of enriched uranium slowed over the past quarter.
Syria Fails to Meet OPCW Deadline
Novemer 2020 By Julia Masterson Syria failed to meet the deadline to declare the remainder of its chemical weapons stockpile to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), according to an Oct. 14 report by the global chemical weapons watchdog.
Novichok Used in Russia, OPCW Finds
November 2020 By Julia Masterson A nerve agent was used to poison Russian political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed Oct. 6. The OPCW findings corroborated earlier independent conclusions by German, French, and Swedish laboratories.
OPCW to Investigate Navalny Poisoning
October 2020 By Julia Masterson The international agency overseeing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) aided in a preliminary investigation into the recent illness of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was poisoned by a dangerous chemical agent, according to multiple test analyses. Navalny was reportedly given the agent on Aug.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Remains on Steady Trajectory
A Sept. 4 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms that Iran continues to exceed limits on its uranium enrichment program imposed by the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) and is incrementally expanding its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 4.5 percent.
Egypt’s counterterrorism strategy in Sinai: challenges and failures – Responsible Statecraft
Egypt has been fighting terrorism and an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula for the past decade and a half with no sign of a decisive victory. Although the Egyptian military has conducted several military operations against radicals and extremists, it has not been able to eliminate or defeat them. Egypt’s counterterrorism strategy, particularly in Sinai, is flawed and counterproductive.
Ending sanctions on Syria is meant to help the Syrian people, not Assad – Responsible Statecraft
Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin wrote on Thursday that his Syrian American contacts were concerned that I am part of the Biden campaign’s Middle East advisory team, seemingly because of a Foreign Affairs essay by Joshua Landis and me entitled, “The Pointless Cruelty of Syria Sanctions,” which Rogin mischaracterized as advocating for reducing U.S. pressure on the Assad government.
The hard truths about North Korea that Trump or Biden will have to confront – Responsible Statecraft
Before President Obama departed the White House, he gave his successor, Donald Trump, some advice: pay attention to North Korea, because the reclusive nation will be your top national security priority. As one might expect, President Trump has tackled the North Korea file in his own distinct way.
UN Experts See North Korean Nuclear Gains
September 2020 By Julia Masterson North Korea’s production of nuclear weapons continues despite aggressive sanctions, according to an article by CNN on Aug. 4 of an unreleased report by a UN panel of experts. The new report says Pyongyang has likely developed the capability to manufacture miniaturized nuclear devices that can fit on its ballistic missiles.
How to manufacture a ‘new cold war’ with China – Responsible Statecraft
In recent months, many observers have sounded the alarm that hardening U.S. policy toward China could provoke a “new cold war.” As I wrote with my colleague, Quincy Institute Deputy Director of Research and Policy Stephen Wertheim in the New York Times, hawkish members of the Trump administration are using the current pandemic as an opportunity to launch a long-desired cold war that had failed to gain traction amidst Trump’s push for a phase-one trade deal.
Don’t shoot the messenger – Responsible Statecraft
Because we should care about what people are thinking about critical issues, polling is important. It opens a window so we can hear the voices of public opinion and make intelligent policy decisions. Sometimes, poll results affirm what we believe to be true and we feel gratified. On other occasions, the findings run counter to our expectations and we face a dilemma.
Security Council Rejects Iran Arms Embargo Extension
Security Council Rejects Iran Arms Embargo Extension The Security Council decisively rejected a U.S. resolution to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in October according to the terms of Resolution 2231, which endorses the 2015 nuclear deal and modifies UN sanctions on Iran. Despite the defeat, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft said Aug.
How Joe Biden Should Handle North Korea: Build Trust and Verify
The decades-old U.S. sanctions campaign against North Korea has systematically failed to bring about denuclearization by way of economic pressure, despite consistent efforts, and is unlikely to in the future. Come January 2021, if Joe Biden is elected President, he must abandon the current U.S. “maximum pressure” policy toward North Korea and adopt a more flexible approach that prioritizes real, effective diplomacy with Pyongyang.
Iran Signals Vienna Talks to Resume
November 2021 By Julia Masterson Iranian diplomats met in Brussels with EU officials to review progress on restoring the 2015 nuclear deal. Following the Oct. 27 meeting, Iran said it would return to the talks in late November. Negotiations to revive the deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have been stalled since the sixth round of meetings concluded in June 2021. In an effort to jump-start talks, EU Deputy Secretary-General Enrique Mora traveled to Tehran on Oct.
IAEA Backs Off Iran Resolution
April 2021 By Julia Masterson In early March and just days after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director-general reached a temporary agreement with Iran to help the agency maintain essential oversight of Iran’s nuclear program, three key European powers advanced a resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors that would have censured Iran on the safeguards issue.
Iran’s Illicit Arms Transfers Do Not Justify U.S. Snapback
A new report authored by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres details evidence of Iran’s likely violation of the arms-related and ballistic missile transfer-related provisions of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). Resolution 2231 endorses and helps implement the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the United States withdrew from in May 2018, and modifies UN sanctions on Iran.
Why the Trump administration has such disdain for the ICC – Responsible Statecraft
Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order authorizing sanctions — a tool purportedly intended to punish bad actors — against International Criminal Court investigators, (and their immediate family members) involved in a probe into U.S. war crimes.
US Seeks Iran Arms Embargo Extension Riling Europe
By Kelsey Davenport and Julia Masterson While Julia Masterson is research assistant, Kelsey Davenport is director for nonproliferation policy at Arms Control Association. The Association's website published this analysis on May 15. WASHINGTON (IDN) – The United States is considering a range of options to prevent the October 2020 expiration of a UN embargo that restricts arms sales to and from Iran.
Pandemic News May 2020 homepage slide
"The Arms Control Association’s work is an important resource to legislators and policymakers when contemplating a new policy direction or decision."
OPCW Investigation Confirms Syria Responsible for Three Chemical Attacks in 2017
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) concluded with confidence that Syria’s Air Force was responsible for sarin and chlorine attacks on the rebel-held town of Ltamenah in March 2017. The OPCW’s findings are detailed in an inaugural April 8 report by the organization’s Investigation and Identification Team (IIT), a body established with a mandate to attribute responsibility for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Collective punishment against ICC officials – and their families – Responsible Statecraft
In a move that was stunning even to cold-eyed observers of the Trump administration’s persistent attacks on the International Criminal Court (ICC), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last Tuesday that the U.S. would seek to sanction not only the staff of the ICC, two of whom he cited by name, but also their families, in order to punish the court for its efforts to pursue an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan since 2003, including crimes committed by...
Iran Should Demonstrate That Its Nuclear Program Is Peaceful
By Kelsey Davenport and Julia Masterson This article first appeared on Arms Control Association Website. Kelsey Davenport is director for nonproliferation policy, and Julia Masterson research assistant WASHINGTON, DC (IDN) – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi raised concerns earlier in March about Tehran’s failure to cooperate with an agency investigation into possible storage and use of undeclared nuclear materials at three locations in Iran.
The IAEA’s March Reports on Iran’s Nuclear Activities Raise Questions
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) distributed two reports on Iran’s nuclear program March 3 that raise new questions about the country’s nuclear activities and its international legal obligations. The IAEA’s most recent regular quarterly report on Iran’s implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal (issued March 3 and made public March 11) notes a concerning increase in Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium and its number of operating centrifuge machines.
IAEA Head Notes No New Breaches by Iran
IAEA Head Notes No New Breaches by Iran Iran has not taken any further steps to breach the 2015 nuclear deal after announcing its fifth violation in early January, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, told reporters in Washington Feb. 5. Experts have taken this to mean that Iran has not installed additional centrifuges nor further increased its enrichment level after announcing Jan.
Wildfire in Australia: Is NASA pushing its luck?
Smoke rises behind the giant satellite dishes of the Deep Space Communications Complex in Canberra. Image courtesy DSCC via Twitter One of the nicknames that Australians have for their homeland is “the lucky country.” The phrase appears in books, magazines, scholarly journals, and everyday conversation. But should a major research organization rely on luck when it comes to climate change, wildfire, and its deep space facilities?
Watch the Doomsday Clock announcement
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will host a live international news conference at 10 a.m. EST/1500 GMT on January 26, 2017, to announce whether the minute hand of the historic “Doomsday Clock” will be adjusted. The decision is made by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists‘ Science and Security Board in consultation with the Board of Sponsors, which includes 15 Nobel Laureates.
Nuclear terrorism: US officials say it’s best to plan for the worst
The IAEA coordinates a nuclear fuel shipment from Serbia, 2010. Image credit: IAEA via Flickr. In a recent Bulletin article, “Would terrorists set off a nuclear weapon if they had one? We shouldn’t assume so,” Christopher McIntosh and Ian Storey offer a provocative challenge to what they term the “acquisition-use assumption,” which holds that non-state actors who attain a nuclear capability would almost certainly conduct a nuclear attack as quickly as practicable.
The US has a backup plan to kill the Iran nuclear deal. It could spark a crisis at the UN.
The UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2231 endorsing the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. Image credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe Early in January, the European members of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran made a risky move by triggering the deal’s dispute resolution mechanism.
January 2020 Homepage Slide North Korea News
The Arms Control Association is an "exceptional organization that effectively addresses pressing national and international challenges with an impact that is disproportionate to its small size."
Iran Announces New Nuclear Deal Breach
Editors' Choice, Featured, Global Governance, Headlines, IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse, Middle East & North Africa, Nuclear Energy - Nuclear Weapons, Peace, TerraViva United Nations Opinion By Kelsey Davenport and Julia Masterson Reprint | | Print | Kelsey Davenport is director for nonproliferation policy at Arms Control Association, and Julia Masterson is research assistant WASHINGTON DC, Jan 10 2020 (IPS) - Iran announced its fifth breach of the 2015 nuclear deal Jan.
Iran Announces New Nuclear Deal Breach
Iran Announces New Nuclear Deal Breach Iran announced its fifth breach of the 2015 nuclear deal Jan. 5, stating that it “discards the last key component of its operational limitations” put in place by agreement. In the Jan. 5 statement Iran said its nuclear program “no longer faces any operational restrictions,” however Foreign Minister Javad Zarif did say that Iran will still continue to “fully cooperate” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
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