Russia Prepares to ‘Destroy’ U.S. Shield, Medvedev Says: What We're Reading Now
Nov 23, 2011

IRAN
Half of US voters say bomb Iran if sanctions fail
AFP - November 23, 2011
Fifty percent of Americans believe military action should be taken to stop Iran's nuclear program if sanctions do not work, a national poll released on Wednesday said.

Obama Aide Says Iran’s Leaders Are Feeling the Strain of Sanctions
Mark Landler, NYT - November 22, 2011
A day after the United States imposed fresh sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, President Obama’s national security adviser argued Tuesday that the administration’s pressure campaign had left Iran’s leaders economically strained, diplomatically isolated and rent by internal divisions.

Defiant Iran eyes retaliation for sanctions
Marc Burleigh, AFP - November 23, 2011
A defiant Iran said on Wednesday that it will not back down despite newly announced Western sanctions over its atomic drive, as it took the first steps to hit back at the measures. "The Iranian nation will not back down an iota, and will not allow the slightest move to encroach on the nation's rights" in terms of its nuclear programme, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech aired on state television.

AFGHANISTAN
World Bank says Afghanistan will need billions of dollars in aid for years to come
AP (Washington Post) - November 23, 2011
Afghanistan could face economic collapse if international assistance is abruptly cut as foreign combat forces are withdrawn, the World Bank warned, stressing that the war-ravaged nation will need billions of dollars in aid for a decade or more.