Kingston Reif
@kingstonareif.bsky.social
Senior International/Defense researcher at the RAND Corporation. Former DASD for Threat Reduction and Arms Control + Arms Control Association. Wisconsin sports fanatic. Personal account.
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, warned on Thursday that if the drought persisted more than a month longer, “we’ll have to evacuate Tehran.” Mr. Pezeshkian has not explained how such an evacuation would be managed.
As Aquifers Dry Up, Tehran Rations Water and Calls for Rain Prayers
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, warned on Thursday that if the drought persisted more than a month longer, “we’ll have to evacuate Tehran.” Mr. Pezeshkian has not explained how such an evacuation would be managed.
"China believes these new capabilities offset existing U.S. and allies missile defense systems, which may affect their nuclear strike calculus, especially if state survival is at risk." www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
November 7, 2025 at 2:24 AM
"China believes these new capabilities offset existing U.S. and allies missile defense systems, which may affect their nuclear strike calculus, especially if state survival is at risk." www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
"Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry"
Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry
The geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China embodies many risks. Moderating it is critical, both for the two nations and the wider world. What is the potential for stabilization in su...
www.rand.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 AM
"Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry"
"Racing Against Time: Realizing a True Defense Industrial Enterprise"
Racing Against Time: Realizing a True Defense Industrial Enterprise
In November 2015, I was five months into commanding the air campaign against the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Operation Inherent Resolve was in full
warontherocks.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 AM
"Racing Against Time: Realizing a True Defense Industrial Enterprise"
"First Sentinel Flight Test To Be Pad Launched"
First Sentinel Flight Test To Be Pad Launched - Defense Daily
Rather than an ICBM test silo, the U.S. Air Force is to use a launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., for the first flight test of an unarmed
www.defensedaily.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:40 AM
"First Sentinel Flight Test To Be Pad Launched"
"As China Raises Pressure, U.S. to Support Seoul in Building Nuclear-Powered Sub"
As China Raises Pressure, U.S. to Support Seoul in Building Nuclear-Powered Sub
South Korea told President Trump a stealthy submarine will reduce the burden on American forces as threats from Beijing and Pyongyang rise.
www.wsj.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 AM
"As China Raises Pressure, U.S. to Support Seoul in Building Nuclear-Powered Sub"
"Golden Dome hype meets information vacuum as industry awaits Pentagon direction"
Golden Dome hype meets information vacuum as industry awaits Pentagon direction
Golden Dome hype meets information vacuum as industry awaits Pentagon direction Golden Dome hype meets information vacuum as industry awaits Pentagon direction
spacenews.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:08 AM
"Golden Dome hype meets information vacuum as industry awaits Pentagon direction"
POTUS: "They test way underground where people don't know exactly what's happening with the test.
You feel a little bit of a vibration. They test and we don't test. We have to test..But Russia tests, China - and China does test, and we're gonna test also."
You feel a little bit of a vibration. They test and we don't test. We have to test..But Russia tests, China - and China does test, and we're gonna test also."
Read the full transcript of Norah O'Donnell's interview with President Trump here.
Read the full transcript of Norah O'Donnell's interview with President Trump here.
www.cbsnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 AM
POTUS: "They test way underground where people don't know exactly what's happening with the test.
You feel a little bit of a vibration. They test and we don't test. We have to test..But Russia tests, China - and China does test, and we're gonna test also."
You feel a little bit of a vibration. They test and we don't test. We have to test..But Russia tests, China - and China does test, and we're gonna test also."
Energy Secretary Wright: "I think the tests we're talking about right now are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non-critical explosions..The testing that we'll be doing is on new systems. And again, these will be non-nuclear explosions."
Energy chief warns ‘bigger ramifications’ on the horizon as shutdown threatens to stall nuclear modernization
Government shutdown forces furloughs of nuclear weapons contractors, halting critical modernization programs as energy secretary warns of bigger ramifications ahead.
www.foxbusiness.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Energy Secretary Wright: "I think the tests we're talking about right now are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non-critical explosions..The testing that we'll be doing is on new systems. And again, these will be non-nuclear explosions."
“Exclusive: Russia uses missile in Ukraine that led Trump to quit nuclear treaty, Kyiv says”
www.reuters.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:09 AM
“Exclusive: Russia uses missile in Ukraine that led Trump to quit nuclear treaty, Kyiv says”
Q: Are you talking about literally resuming underground..tests?
A: You'll find out very soon. But were gonna do some testing.. Other countries do.. If they're gonna.., we're gonna..
Q: Ok but you can't clarify whether you'll resume..
A: I'm not gonna say yet. I know exactly what we're doing..
A: You'll find out very soon. But were gonna do some testing.. Other countries do.. If they're gonna.., we're gonna..
Q: Ok but you can't clarify whether you'll resume..
A: I'm not gonna say yet. I know exactly what we're doing..
President Trump Speaks to Reporters Aboard Air Force One
President Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida. Topics include the government shutdown and SNAP benefits.
www.c-span.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Q: Are you talking about literally resuming underground..tests?
A: You'll find out very soon. But were gonna do some testing.. Other countries do.. If they're gonna.., we're gonna..
Q: Ok but you can't clarify whether you'll resume..
A: I'm not gonna say yet. I know exactly what we're doing..
A: You'll find out very soon. But were gonna do some testing.. Other countries do.. If they're gonna.., we're gonna..
Q: Ok but you can't clarify whether you'll resume..
A: I'm not gonna say yet. I know exactly what we're doing..
"US nuclear arsenal currently safe, reliable: STRATCOM nominee"
US nuclear arsenal currently safe, reliable: STRATCOM nominee - Breaking Defense
Vice Adm. Richard Correll said that Trump's announcement does not necessarily mean detonating a test weapon — noting that neither China nor Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test in recent memo...
breakingdefense.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:10 AM
"US nuclear arsenal currently safe, reliable: STRATCOM nominee"
Well...
POTUS today: “We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don't do testing. We've halted it years, many years ago. But with others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also...We have test sites. It'll be announced."
POTUS today: “We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don't do testing. We've halted it years, many years ago. But with others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also...We have test sites. It'll be announced."
President Trump Defends Decision to Resume Nuclear Testing
During a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned home from his week-long trip to Asia, President Trump defends his decision to resume nuclear testing, saying others are doing it. He ...
www.c-span.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Well...
POTUS today: “We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don't do testing. We've halted it years, many years ago. But with others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also...We have test sites. It'll be announced."
POTUS today: “We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don't do testing. We've halted it years, many years ago. But with others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also...We have test sites. It'll be announced."
“This has never happened before,” he said. “The NNSA, our umbrella organization, it’s been grouped together for 25 years. We’ve never furloughed workers in the NNSA, this should not happen, but this was a long as we could stretch the funding”
End furloughs that have idled 80% of nuclear-security staff, lawmakers urge
Sidelining the National Nuclear Security Administration puts the country at risk, 27 U.S. representatives tell Energy Dept. leaders.
www.defenseone.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:52 AM
“This has never happened before,” he said. “The NNSA, our umbrella organization, it’s been grouped together for 25 years. We’ve never furloughed workers in the NNSA, this should not happen, but this was a long as we could stretch the funding”
-Putin has been touting tests of Skyfall and Poseidon this week. (The tests were of nuke-powered, nuke delivery systems-not live warhead detonations)
-The Dept of War isnt responsible for nuke explosive testing. Thats DoEs job.
-The "renovation of existing weapons" continues.
-The Dept of War isnt responsible for nuke explosive testing. Thats DoEs job.
-The "renovation of existing weapons" continues.
October 30, 2025 at 2:07 AM
-Putin has been touting tests of Skyfall and Poseidon this week. (The tests were of nuke-powered, nuke delivery systems-not live warhead detonations)
-The Dept of War isnt responsible for nuke explosive testing. Thats DoEs job.
-The "renovation of existing weapons" continues.
-The Dept of War isnt responsible for nuke explosive testing. Thats DoEs job.
-The "renovation of existing weapons" continues.
"Multiple sources have told The Times that none of the money has been allocated for contracts and that White House Office of Management and Budget is holding the funds."
Golden Dome funding lags as industry partners line up
The head of President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense program gave a classified briefing to the Senate Armed Services Committee last week that described the secretive architecture of the project, ...
www.washingtontimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:25 AM
"Multiple sources have told The Times that none of the money has been allocated for contracts and that White House Office of Management and Budget is holding the funds."
"Putin Uses Old Missile Technology to Send a New Message to the West"
Putin Uses Old Missile Technology to Send a New Message to the West
President Vladimir Putin hailed the first long-distance test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile that he said has no equal in the West.
www.wsj.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:22 AM
"Putin Uses Old Missile Technology to Send a New Message to the West"
"Inside Trump’s Golden Dome: High-stakes debate over missile-defense shield"
Inside Trump’s Golden Dome: High-stakes debate over missile-defense shield
President Donald Trump’s missile defense system aims to protect the U.S. from nuclear attack, but it may destabilize global security and cost over $1 trillion.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:20 AM
"Inside Trump’s Golden Dome: High-stakes debate over missile-defense shield"
"The U.S. Army prepares to withdraw its new Typhon missile launch system from Japan"
The U.S. Army prepares to withdraw its new Typhon missile launch system from Japan
After completing a new bilateral exercise, the U.S. Army is preparing to withdraw its new Typhon missile launch system from Japan, which was capable of
www.zona-militar.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:15 AM
"The U.S. Army prepares to withdraw its new Typhon missile launch system from Japan"
"The Romanian ministry said in a statement that Bucharest and other allies “have been informed about the United States’ decision to downsize American troops in Europe,” describing it as part of a broader reassessment of U.S. global force posture."
US begins troop drawdown in Romania
It’s the first official acknowledgment from a NATO ally that Washington is scaling back forces on the continent.
www.politico.eu
October 30, 2025 at 1:14 AM
"The Romanian ministry said in a statement that Bucharest and other allies “have been informed about the United States’ decision to downsize American troops in Europe,” describing it as part of a broader reassessment of U.S. global force posture."
Reposted by Kingston Reif
"Trump said in a separate post that the country would build its nuclear-powered submarine in the Philly Shipyard, which was bought last year by South Korea’s Hanwha Group."
US will share tech to let South Korea build a nuclear-powered submarine, Trump says
The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine.
apnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:40 PM
"Trump said in a separate post that the country would build its nuclear-powered submarine in the Philly Shipyard, which was bought last year by South Korea’s Hanwha Group."
Reposted by Kingston Reif
Putin now announcing that Russia yesterday conducted a test of another new weapons system -- the remote, nuclear-capable, long-range torpedo Poseidon. Comes 3 days after announcement of test of long-range nuke-powered cruise missile Burevestnik.
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Putin now announcing that Russia yesterday conducted a test of another new weapons system -- the remote, nuclear-capable, long-range torpedo Poseidon. Comes 3 days after announcement of test of long-range nuke-powered cruise missile Burevestnik.
“Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, told Putin that the missile travelled 14,000 km (8,700 miles) and was in the air for about 15 hours when it was tested on October 21.”
Russia tested new nuclear-powered cruise missile, top general says
Russia has tested a new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile named the Burevestnik, Russia's top general told President Vladimir Putin in remarks released on Sunday.
www.reuters.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, told Putin that the missile travelled 14,000 km (8,700 miles) and was in the air for about 15 hours when it was tested on October 21.”
POTUS: "I think we’re going to make a deal on maybe even nuclear" thehill.com/homenews/adm...
October 24, 2025 at 1:30 AM
POTUS: "I think we’re going to make a deal on maybe even nuclear" thehill.com/homenews/adm...
"New Army acquisition chief says PEO rebrand gives portfolio managers more control over requirements, funding"
New Army acquisition chief says PEO rebrand gives portfolio managers more control over requirements, funding | InsideDefense.com
When newly minted Army acquisition chief Brent Ingraham envisions the future of the service’s program executive officers, he sees them operating much like CEOs of companies in the private sector.
insidedefense.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:20 PM
"New Army acquisition chief says PEO rebrand gives portfolio managers more control over requirements, funding"