CHINA

“China unveils coast guard to handle sea conflict,” Fox/AFP, July 23, 2013.

China’s new-look coast guard went into operation this week, combining marine surveillance, existing coast guard, fisheries law enforcement and anti-smuggling maritime police under one agency. Neighboring countries are wary of the change, as it is expected to help reinforce China’s claims in the East and South China Seas.

“Japan scrambles jets after China plane flies by southern islands,” Reuters, July 24, 2013.

A Chinese military plane flew through international airspace over Japan’s southern islands on Wednesday, prompting Japan to scramble fighter jets in response and provoking more vitriolic rhetoric from both sides of the East China Sea. The incident is the latest in a series of provocations that some fear may lead to a more serious clash in the future.

RUSSIA

“In Russia, Edward Snowden's bid to leave airport zone short-lived,” Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2013.

Mere hours after Russian media reported that the Russian government had granted Edward Snowden permission to enter Russia, Snowden’s lawyer announced that the necessary papers had not yet reached Snowden due to “bureaucratic difficulties” and that Snowden’s month-long sojourn in the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport may have to last a little longer.

“Russia Says Assad Is Ready for Peace Talks,” New York Times, July 22, 2013.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov announced Monday that the Syrian government was prepared to enter peace talks without preconditions, and urged the U.S. and other Western powers to push opposition groups to do the same. The U.S. and Russia have been working to convene peace talks between the warring parties to bring about a political solution to the Syrian Civil War, but conflicting military assistance (Russia to Assad’s government and the U.S. to the opposition) has hampered the efforts.

“Russia Announces a Naval Buildup in the Pacific,” The Diplomat, July 22, 2013.

Russia announced this week that it will boost its naval presence in the Pacific beginning next year. Additions to the Pacific Fleet include ballistic missile submarines and French-built amphibious assault ships. The announcement comes on the heels of two massive naval exercises Russia that have drawn further attention to Northeast Asia.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 

“Roadblock to U.S. nuclear arms cuts,” The Japan Times, July 22, 2013.

President Obama’s June 19 speech in Berlin breathed new life into the debate over nuclear arms control as he called on Russia to agree to further arms reductions. Richard Weitz of the Hudson Institute argues that Russia will not agree to such reductions because it sees its remaining nuclear deterrent as key to protecting its national interests and constraining American impunity. In Russia’s view, reducing its nuclear arsenal would allow the U.S. to intervene in more countries and exacerbate Russia’s disadvantage in conventional forces and ballistic missile defense.  

“The Future of Britain's Nuclear Deterrent,” The National Interest, July 24, 2013.

As the four ballistic missile submarines that currently make up Britain’s nuclear force are expected to retire in 2020s, the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent has come into question. Parliament is currently in consensus that the submarines should simply be replaced to maintain a similar level of deterrence; however, if the Liberal Democratic party currently in the governing coalition reverts to its previous position of cutting nuclear forces, or if Scotland gains independence in next year’s referendum and expels the nuclear submarines currently based there (both unlikely but possible outcomes), Britain’s nuclear future may be cast into doubt.

Follow EWI on Twitter @EWInstitute and Facebook for continuing updates.

Compiled by Andi Zhou.