South Korea Seeking Trilateral Talks on North: What We're Reading Now
Nov 10, 2011

IRAN
Russian scientist who figures in IAEA report denies helping Iran build a nuclear weapon
Washington Post -- November 10, 2011
A Russian scientist accused of helping Iran develop technology necessary to build a nuclear weapon has denied assisting its nuclear program, a Russian newspaper reported Thursday.

Russian Scientist Denies Iranian Nuclear Role, Kommersant Says
Henry Meyer, Bloomberg -- November 10, 2011
A Russian scientist denied helping Iran to develop a nuclear bomb following a U.S. media report about his suspected role, the Kommersant newspaper reported, citing an interview with the expert.

NORTH KOREA
South Korea Seeking Trilateral Talks on North
Global Security Newswire -- November 9, 2011
South Korea is pushing to meet with Japan and the United States so that the three allies can align their respective postures for responding to the North Korean nuclear impasse, Kyodo News reported on Wednesday.

LIBYA
Desert chief says al-Qaida branch got Libyan arms
Ahmed Mohamed, Associated Press -- November 10, 2011
A desert chief with al-Qaida's North Africa branch has confirmed fears that his terror organization procured weapons from stockpiles left unguarded in Libya after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi.

US's most powerful nuclear bomb being dismantled: What We're Reading Now
Oct 25, 2011

IRAN
U.N. report seen worsening fear over Iran nuclear plans
Reuters -- October 24, 2011
The U.N. nuclear watchdog is expected to publish intelligence soon pointing to military dimensions to Iran's nuclear activities but stopping short of saying explicitly that Tehran is trying to build atom bombs, Western diplomats say.

China urges IAEA to solve Iran nuclear issue through dialogue, negotiations
Xinhua -- October 25, 2011
China adamantly believes that dialogue and negotiations are the proper ways to solve the Iranian nuclear issue, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday at a daily press briefing.

NORTH KOREA
US envoy: Progress in NKorea talks, but no deal on resuming full nuclear negotiations
The Associated Press -- October 25, 2011
The U.S. envoy leading talks with North Korea on Pyongyang’s nuclear program says two days of meetings in Geneva have narrowed differences between the two sides.

'South remains defenseless against North’s missile threats'
Lee Tae-hoon, Korea Times -- October 25, 2011
Despite its continuous efforts to beef up air defense capabilities, officials acknowledge that South Korea remains highly vulnerable to growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. <

North Korean prime minister in China on visit emphasizing economic ties: What We're Reading Now
Sep 26, 2011

IRAN
Security Expert: U.S. 'Leading Force' Behind Stuxnet
Tom Gjelten, NPR -- September 26, 2011
The sophistication of the worm, plus the fact that the designer had inside intelligence on the Iranian facility, led Langner to conclude the United States had developed Stuxnet, possibly with the help of Israeli intelligence.

Freed U.S. hikers describe harrowing ordeal in Iran
CBS -- September 26, 2011
Two American hikers being held in an Iranian prison got a big surprise one day after their exercise routine: Instead of being blindfolded and led back to their cell, they suddenly heard the words, "Let's go home."

NORTH KOREA
North Korean prime minister in China on visit emphasizing economic ties
The Washington Post -- September 25, 2011
China and its impoverished neighbor North Korea are emphasizing trade and investment ties during a visit this week by Pyongyang’s prime minister that also highlights China’s efforts to restart talks on ending the North’s nuclear programs.

Japan launches spy satellite to monitor North Korea
Julian Ryall, The Telegraph -- September 26, 2011
A new Japanese spy satellite has started beaming back images from North Korea as Tokyo steps up monitoring of its unpredictable neighbour.

Rick Perry going dovish on Afghanistan?
Sep 13, 2011

Has Rick Perry gone dovish on Afghanistan?

While in the past, Perry has been critical of President Obama's policy on Afghanistan, he now appears to have softened his views.

When President Obama announced a timeline to begin withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan, Perry dissented.

He said in August:  “Look, I think the president made a huge mistake by signaling the enemy that we’re going to leave at a particular time. That’s bad public policy, but more importantly it put our kids in harm’s way.”

He also suggested listening more to the Generals and implicitly less to the politics of the situation.