What's next after 'super committee' failure?: What We're Reading Now
Nov 22, 2011
IRAN
Iran misjudged West's resolve in nuclear standoff: analysts
Parisa Hafezi, Reuters -- November 22, 2011
Grudgingly admired in the past by the West for its negotiating skills and by the Iranian nation for its uncompromising stance, Iran's leadership may have misjudged recent confrontational tactics in its nuclear standoff with big powers, analysts say.
U.S., Russia and U.K. Back Israel at Mideast Meeting
Fox News -- November 22, 2011
In a boost to Israel, Russia joined the U.S. and Britain on Tuesday in backing the Jewish state's view that the Middle East cannot be turned into a nuclear arms-free zone without progress on regional peace.
Crude up on Iran nuclear program tensions
Reuters -- November 22, 2011
U.S. crude futures rose on Tuesday in choppy trading as concerns about rising geopolitical tensions over OPEC-member Iran's nuclear program bolstered oil prices.
NORTH KOREA
US restates N.Korea nuclear demands
Associated Foreign Press -- November 22, 2011
The United States will consider holding further talks with North Korea but Pyongyang must halt its uranium enrichment programme before full disarmament negotiations resume, a senior US official said Tuesday.
IAEA, South Korea to Boost Efforts Against North Korean Nukes
Global Security Newswire -- November 21, 2011
The International Atomic Energy Agency and South Korea have agreed to increase their collaboration on countering North Korea's nuclear warhead development, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday.
Iran Stays Away From Nuclear Talks: What We're Reading Now
Nov 21, 2011
IRAN
Iran Stays Away From Nuclear Talks
Alan Cowell, New York Times -- November 21, 2011
Iran stayed away on Monday from a meeting of the United Nations’ nuclear supervisory body, news reports said, in a continuing display of displeasure at being rebuked by the organization over its suspected efforts to build a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful, civilian purposes.
Iran nuclear sanctions hurt the middle class, not Guards
Oren Dorell, USA Today -- November 21, 2011
International sanctions aimed at Iran's nuclear program have hurt the country's middle class and caused factories to shut down while low-quality goods flood the country, say foreign policy analysts.
NORTH KOREA
S.Korea, China set for talks on N.Korea
Associated Foreign Press -- November 20, 2011
South Korea's pointman on Pyongyang left for China on Monday for talks that will focus on North Korea, amid diplomatic efforts to revive stalled multinational disarmament negotiations.
Secretive N. Korea opens up to cellphones
Jeremy Laurence, Reuters -- November 21, 2011
Secretive North Korea is expected to register the 1 millionth cellphone user on its new 3G network by the end of the year, barely four years after people were thrown into prison camps, or possibly even executed, for owning one.
Opinion: Iraq invasion, not withdrawal, was gift to Iran: What We're Reading Now
Oct 28, 2011
IRAN
Demands Grow for Action Against Alleged Iranian Plot
Sara Sorcher, Global Security Newswire -- October 27, 2011
As Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee demanded that the Obama administration take more serious action against Iran for its alleged role in the purported plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador and bomb embassies in Washington, witnesses testifying before two key subcommittees on Wednesday called for everything from killing senior members of Iran’s elite Quds Force to limited cyberattacks within Iran.
Iraq invasion, not withdrawal, was gift to Iran
Tony Karon, TIME/CNN -- October 27, 2011
Outlandish posturing on foreign policy matters is par for the course in a U.S. electoral season, but the claim that President Barack Obama will deliver Iraq on a plate to Iran by honoring the U.S. treaty obligation to withdraw American troops by New Year's Day is worth closer scrutiny.
Iran pulls out of diplomatic event
ESPN -- October 27, 2011
North and South Korea and India and Pakistan are among 10 nations competing in the latest version of pingpong diplomacy, but Iran backed out of a chance to compete alongside American players.
NORTH KOREA
Panetta Voices Skepticism on North Korea Talks
Elisabeth Bumiller, The New York Times -- October 27, 2011
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta cast doubt on Thursday on talks aimed at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear program despite more positive public comments from negotiators for both countries earlier this week.
North Korea bans citizens working in Libya from returning home
Julian Ryall, The Telegraph -- October 27, 2011
North Korea has banned its own citizens working in Libya from returning home, apparently out of fear that they will reveal the extent - and final outcomes - of the revolutions that have shaken the Arab world.