North Korea Reports Progress on New Reactor: What We're Reading Now
Dec 01, 2011

IRAN
As Britain Closes Embassies, Iran’s Isolation Could Complicate Nuclear Issue
John F. Burns, The New York Times -- December 1, 2011
ith Britain’s decision to close its vandalized embassy in Tehran and expel all Iranian diplomats from London, Iran appears to have moved a major step closer to international pariah status. That isolation could complicate efforts by Western governments to halt what they have identified as Iran’s covert efforts to acquire nuclear weapons, according to diplomats and others who monitor Iranian affairs.

Iran Clings to Oil Lifeline as U.S. Pushes for Tighter Financial Sanctions
Indira Lakshmanan, Bloomberg -- December 1, 2011
Just after 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, about 200 demonstrators ransacked the British Embassy in Tehran, chanting “Death to England,” setting fire to the Union Jack, carting off a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, and detaining staff as Iranian security officers stood by. It bore all the marks of a state-orchestrated provocation.

NORTH KOREA
On Burma (Myanmar) visit, Hillary Clinton highlights North Korea determination
Donald Kirk, Christian Science Monitor -- December 1, 2011
As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Burma (Myanmar) to laud democratic reforms there, Burma’s ally, North Korea, proudly claims rapid progress on its nuclear program.

North Korea Reports Progress on New Reactor
Choe Sang-Hun, The New York Times -- November 30, 2011
North Korea reported brisk progress in building a new nuclear reactor and producing enriched uranium on Wednesday. Although the statement appeared to invite international inspectors to verify that the facilities are for peaceful purposes, it was the latest sign that North Korea is pressing ahead with its nuclear program.

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.