Nuclear Weapons
Beyond Nuclear advocates for the elimination of all nuclear weapons and argues that removing them can only make us safer, not more vulnerable. The expansion of commercial nuclear power across the globe only increases the chance that more nuclear weapons will be built and is counterproductive to disarmament. We also cover nuclear weapons issues on our international site, Beyond Nuclear International.
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Peace Activists Protest Outside White House Calling for Negotiations with N. Korea
As reported by Democracy Now!'s morning headlines:
Outside the White House, protesters called Wednesday for the Trump administration to negotiate a solution to the North Korea crisis. Under the so-called freeze-for-a-freeze deal, North Korea would temporarily halt nuclear and missile tests in return for a reduced American military presence in the Korean Peninsula. This is peace activist Medea Benjamin of the group CodePink.
Medea Benjamin: "So we’re here to tell Donald Trump that we want a freeze for a freeze, because if there were a freeze for a freeze, that would open up the space for real negotiations. And that’s what needs to happen."
(See DN!'s full coverage of the N. Korea-U.S. conflict, here.)
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Beyond Nuclear's Kevin Kamps took part in this rally. His placard read: " 'Just' 100 Nagasaki-Sized Bombs = Nuclear Winter = Global Crop Failures = 2 Billion Starvation Deaths." Medea Benjamin of Code Pink asked Kevin to speak on the microphone to the crowd about the meaning of his sign.
It refered to a study, entitled "Nuclear Famine," by IPPNW/PSR, about the planetary consequences of a hypothetical "nuclear exchange" between India and Pakistan, but the findings extend to "nuclear exchanges" between other countries, such as the U.S. and N. Korea.
The Code Pink action, in front of the White House, took place on August 9th -- the 72nd annual commemoration of the U.S. atomic boming of Nagasaki, Japan.
Nearby the rally, the Proposition One White House vigil stood silent witness. It has called for the abolition of nuclear weapons, for well more than three straight decades.
North Korea Military Announces Plan to Fire Missiles into Sea Off Guam
As reported by Democracy Now!'s morning news headlines:
In response, North Korea threatened to strike the U.S. territory of Guam in the western Pacific. Guam is home to 163,000 people as well as several major U.S. military bases. Earlier today, North Korea said its military is working on a plan to fire four missiles into the sea off Guam. A statement issued by North Korean state media said of Trump, "Sound dialogue is not possible with such a guy bereft of reason and only absolute force can work on him."
And see DN!'s complete coverage of the N. Korea-U.S. conflict, here.
Mattis Warns N. Korea Could Face "Destruction of Its People" as Tillerson Downplays Rhetoric
As reported by Democracy Now!'s morning news headlines:
The Trump administration sent mixed messages Wednesday over the possibility of nuclear war with North Korea, as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought to defuse tensions, while Defense Secretary James Mattis threatened a nuclear attack. On Wednesday, Mattis warned North Korea not to take any action that could result in the "end of its regime" and the "destruction of its people." His comments came a day after Trump startled the world—and, reportedly, his own advisers—threatening North Korea with "fire and fury like the world has never seen." Secretary of State Tillerson on Wednesday downplayed Trump’s rhetoric.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: "I think Americans should sleep well at night, have no concerns about this particular rhetoric of the last few days. I think the president, again, as commander-in-chief—I think he felt it necessary to issue a very strong statement directly to North Korea."
[And see DN!'s full N. Korea-U.S. conflict coverage, here.]
Andrew Bacevich: Trump's Handling of N. Korea, His First National Security Crisis, is Very Troubling
As reported by Democracy Now!:
On Tuesday, President Trump shocked the world by hinting the U.S. could carry out a nuclear strike on North Korea. Hours after he spoke, North Korea threatened to strike the U.S. territory of Guam in the western Pacific. China has warned that a "war of words" between the U.S. and North Korea could spiral out of hand. We speak with Andrew Bacevich, professor emeritus of international relations and history at Boston University. He is a retired colonel and Vietnam War veteran.
See the full story, here.
And see DN!'s complete N. Korea-U.S. conflict coverage, here.