Iranian Leader Promotes Nuclear Plans: What We're Reading Now
Feb 23, 2012
IRAN
Iranian Leader Promotes Nuclear Plans
Farnaz Fassihi, Wall Street Journal - February 23, 2012
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would move ahead with its nuclear program, despite growing international pressure.
Iran talks failure sparks confrontation fears
Fredrik Dahl and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters - February 23, 2012
The U.N. nuclear watchdog's latest mission to Iran failed to budge a defiant Tehran over its disputed nuclear program, sending oil prices to a nine-month high over fears of an increasing risk of confrontation with the West.
Israel: Iran will have U.S.-range missile in 2-3 years
Jeffrey Heller and Mark Heinrich, Reuters - February 22, 2012
Israel believes that within 2-3 years Iran will have intercontinental missiles able to hit the United States, an Israeli minister said in remarks aimed at raising awareness of the threat it believes a nuclear Iran would pose to the world.
A risky bid on tough Iran sanctions: What We're Reading Now
Feb 15, 2012
IRAN
A risky bid on tough Iran sanctions
Julie Pace and Anne Gearan, Associated Press - February 15, 2012
The United States and Europe are considering unprecedented punishment against Iran that could immediately cripple the country's financial lifeline. But that extreme option in the banking world would come with costs.
Iran Leader to Announce Atomic Steps
Rick Gladstone, New York Times - February 14, 2012
Iran signaled on Tuesday that it had made further advances in the country’s disputed nuclear energy program, announcing that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would reveal “key nuclear achievements” on Wednesday. An Iranian news agency said he was likely to proclaim that a new uranium enrichment plant built inside a mountain near the holy city of Qum was “fully operational.”
Blasts in Bangkok Add to Suspicions About Iran
Thomas Fuller and Rick Gladstone, New York Times - February 14, 2012
A series of explosions rocked a residential neighborhood here on Tuesday, leading the Thai authorities to a cache of bombs in a rented house and the capture of two men who the Thai police said carried Iranian passports. Thai officials said that two other suspects, whom they believed to be Iranians, were being sought, and that one of them had fled to neighboring Malaysia.
MIDDLE EAST
U.S. Steps Up Watch of Syria Chemical Weapons
Adam Entous and Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal - February 15, 2012
The U.S. and some Mideast allies are intensifying surveillance of Syria's chemical and biological depots amid fears that the weapons could go loose if unrest escalates out of control.
Russia Says No Plans To Build Nuclear Power Stations in Iran After Bushehr: What We're Reading Now
Sep 07, 2011
IRAN
Russia Says No Plans To Build Nuclear Power Stations in Iran After Bushehr
Henry Meyer, Bloomberg -- September 7, 2011
Russia isn’t currently planning to build any new nuclear stations in Iran after operations start at the Persian Gulf state’s first atomic plant in Bushehr, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said.
Editorial: The undimmed danger of Iran's nuclear program
The Washington Post -- September 6, 2011
IRAN HAS TAKEN two more steps toward producing a nuclear weapon. According to a report released Friday by the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has begun to use a new, more advanced centrifuge to enrich uranium, which could allow it to produce bomb-grade material in a much shorter time period, should it choose to do so.
NORTH KOREA
Why Thailand has become a popular path to freedom for North Korean defectors
Jared Ferrie, Christian Science Monitor -- September 7, 2011
A growing number of North Korean defectors are crossing illegally into Thailand via a new 'underground railroad' because Thailand processes defectors and sends them to South Korea quickly.
North Korea Used Black Market to Acquire Nuke Technology, IAEA says
Global Security Newswire -- September 6, 2011
North Korea appears to have employed an illicit network to acquire material needed to establish a uranium enrichment facility at its Yongbyon nuclear complex, the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded in a report issued on Friday.