Jake Sullivan: US Will Act ‘Decisively’ If Russia Uses Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

THE GUARDIAN: US national security adviser says: ‘Any use of nuclear weapons will be met with catastrophic consequences for Russia’

America and its allies will act “decisively” if Russia uses a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday, reaffirming the Joe Biden White House’s previous response to mounting concerns that Vladimir Putin’s threats are in increased danger of being realized.

“We have communicated directly, privately and at very high levels to the Kremlin that any use of nuclear weapons will be met with catastrophic consequences for Russia, that the US and our allies will respond decisively, and we have been clear and specific about what that will entail,” Sullivan told CBS’s Face The Nation. » | Edward Helmore | Sunday, September 25, 2022

Finnish President: Putin Is Clearly Making a Nuclear Threat | Amanpour and Company

Mar 14, 2022 • Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö has known Putin for a decade and often acts as a de facto interpreter, explaining the Russian president's thinking to Western allies – and vice versa. Niinistö is among a handful of world leaders who continue to contact the Russian president, trying to put a stop to the war. Christiane speaks with Niinistö in London to get a sense of Putin’s endgame. Originally aired on March 14, 2022

Trump Says North Korea 'No Longer a Nuclear Threat'; Not Everyone Agrees

Donald Trump says the Singapore summit ended North Korea's nuclear threat. Is his claim premature? Former Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) and Asia expert Mike Chinoy weigh in. Then, "Gatekeepers" author Chris Whipple on John Kelly's future at The White House.

North Korea: How Close Are We to Nuclear Conflict? – BBC Newsnight

How close are we to nuclear conflict between North Korea and the US? Our diplomatic editor Mark Urban looks at the evidence.

North Korea Threat after Trump Vows ‘Fire and Fury’ | FT World

Tillerson: North Korean Leader Didn't Understand Diplomatic Language - BBC News

North Korea has said it is considering carrying out missile strikes on the US Pacific territory of Guam.

The North's official news agency said on Tuesday the plan involved firing medium-to-long-range rockets at Guam, where US strategic bombers are based.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, flying into Guam, said there was no imminent threat from North Korea. He also defended President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday threatened Pyongyang with "fire and fury". Mr Tillerson said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not understand diplomatic language, and a strong message was needed that he would understand. "I think the president just wanted to be clear to the North Korean regime that the US... will defend itself and its allies," he said.

The exchanges mark a sharp rise in rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang, but China has urged calm.

Trump's Remarks on North Korea: Threat or Bluster? – BBC Newsnight

Following remarks by President Donald Trump that North Korea "will be met with fire and fury" if it threatens the US, Evan Davis talks to Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director of the non-proliferation organisation IISS-Americas.

North Korea Threatens Guam after Trump's 'Fire and Fury' Warning

Russia TV Host: Russia Could Turn USA into Radioactive Ashes

A Russian TV host has threatened the United States with a nuclear strike in his news broadcast. The remarks made by Dmitry Kiselyov were broadcast at the same time as the polls closed in the disputed Crimean referendum about secession from Ukraine. With a picture of a nuclear explosion behind him and words "Into radioactive ashes" written across the screen, Kiselyov said: "Russia is the only country in the world that is really able to turn the USA into radioactive ashes. He also referenced an official Russian government article published in January and urged US officials to read it as it "very clearly explained in detail how our system of guaranteed nuclear revenge works. It is called 'Perimeter'. In the USA it was nicknamed 'Dead Hand'. Actually I advise you to read it." Kiselyov is seen as a loyalist of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been awarded a friendship medal and made the head of the Russia Today news agency. Report by Ashley Fudge.

THE INDEPENDENT: State television presenter warns Russia could 'turn the US into radioactive dust': TV presenter says Obama won't stop calling Putin and living in fear of the Russian president is making his hair go grey » | Maria Tadeo | Monday, March 17, 2014

What Threat Does North Korea Pose to South and United States?
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Chief foreign correspondent David Blair analyses the "real threat" posed by North Korea to the South and the United States.


Read the short article here | Thursday, April 04, 2013

Nuclear Terror Risk to Britain from Al-Qaeda
THE TELEGRAPH: Britain faces an increased threat of a nuclear attack by al-Qaeda terrorists following a rise in the trafficking of radiological material, a government report has warned.

Bomb makers who have been active in Afghanistan may already have the ability to produce a "dirty bomb" using knowledge acquired over the internet.

It is feared that terrorists could transport an improvised nuclear device up the Thames and detonate it in the heart of London. Bristol, Liverpool Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast are also thought to be vulnerable.

Lord West, the Security Minister, also raised the possibility of terrorists using small craft to enter ports and launch an attack similar to that in Mumbai in 2008, when more than 150 people were killed.

The Government is so concerned about the threat that it is setting up a command centre to track suspicious boats.

The terrorism threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" in January after the failed attempt to blow up an aircraft over Detroit on Christmas Day.

Three separate reviews of the country's ability to prevent a major terrorist attack were published simultaneously yesterday, before an international meeting on nuclear security in Washington next month. >>> Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | Monday, March 22, 2010

Netanyahu Stands Firm Against Demands from Barack Obama
THE TELEGRAPH: Israel stood firm against demands from Barack Obama on Monday to cease the construction of Jewish settlements and embrace the "two-state solution" to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office. Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, in his first meeting with the US president, made it clear that while he welcomed Mr Obama's commitment to the region, he was more concerned about dealing with the threat of Iran than peace talks.

Mr Obama was unable to secure any commitments on ceasing the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank or embracing the "two-state solution" to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Sitting side by side in the White House, the two leaders hailed the friendship between their two countries but remained far apart on how to proceed towards a resolution of the 60-year conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. >>> By Alex Spillius in Washington | Monday, May 18, 2009

Nuclear Threat? A Cuppa Will Fix It!
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: The threat of a nuclear attack on the UK in the 1950s caused concern over the supply of tea, top-secret documents which have now been released reveal.

Government officials planning food supplies said the tea situation would be "very serious" after a nuclear war.

"It would be wrong to consider that even 1oz per head per week could be ensured," they stated.

The papers were released under the Freedom of Information Act by the National Archives at Kew.

Heart and health

The documents said a nuclear conflict would result in the loss of three-quarters of tea stocks.

One paper from April 1955 said: "The advent of thermonuclear weapons... has presented us with a new and much more difficult set of food defence problems."

The aim was to be "completely ready to maintain supplies of food to the people of these islands, sufficient in volume to keep them in good heart and health from the onset of a thermonuclear attack on this country". Nuclear Threat Sparked Tea Worry >>>

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback - UK)

Save Your Presidency, George! Go For It!

Photo of George W Bush courtesy of the BBC

BBC: US President George W Bush has warned Iran to stop supporting the militants fighting against the US in Iraq.

In a speech to US war veterans in Reno, Nevada, Mr Bush renewed charges that Tehran has provided training and weapons for extremists in Iraq.

"The Iranian regime must halt these actions," he said.

Earlier, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that US authority in the region was rapidly collapsing, and Iran would help fill the void.

"Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region," Mr Ahmadinejad said.

"Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbours and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."

'Nuclear threat'

In his speech to the American Legion, Mr Bush hit back, accusing Iran's Revolutionary Guards of funding and arming insurgents in Iraq.

And he said Iran's leaders could not avoid some responsibility for attacks on coalition troops and Iraqi civilians.

"I have authorised our military commanders in Iraq to confront Tehran's murderous activities," he said. Bush warns Iran over insurgents (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
US ‘willing’ to confront Iran

Mark Alexander