What the Alleged Iran Assassination Plot Means for 2012: What We're Reading Now
Oct 17, 2011

IRAN
Analysis - Iran-U.S. tension rising ahead of elections
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - October 17, 2011
A U.S. push to isolate Iran looks unlikely to make Tehran back down over its nuclear programme and other disputes, setting the scene for sharpening rhetoric and rising tension at a time when the two foes are preparing for elections.

Significant Holes in U.S. Legal Case Against Alleged Iran Plotter
Marcy Wheeler, Reuters - October 17, 2011
In the wake of the Obama Administration's announcement that an Iranian-American used car salesman had set up a plot to kill the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., a number of Iran and intelligence experts have raised questions about the plausibility of the alleged Iranian plot.

Iran says happy to examine US plot allegations
Reuters - October 17, 2011
Iran said on Monday it would examine "seriously and patiently" U.S. allegations it planned to assassinate a Saudi ambassador and called on Washington to send evidence of the plot it has dismissed as baseless propaganda.

NORTH KOREA
N.Korea, US to hold nuclear talks next week: report
AFP - October 17, 2011
North Korea and the United States will hold a second meeting next week in Geneva to discuss ways to restart stalled six-nation talks on the North's nuclear disarmament, a report said Monday.