Stuxnet-like virus points to new round of cyber war: What We're Reading Now
Oct 20, 2011
IRAN
Russia concerned about Iran nuclear report: diplomats
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - October 19, 2011
Russia fears a U.N. report which is expected to heighten suspicions about Iran's atomic ambitions could undermine Moscow's initiative to help resolve a nuclear dispute with Tehran, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.
How far will newest U.N. nuclear report on Iran go?
Pam Benson, CNN (Blog) - October 18, 2011
Amid new reports indicating Iran's nuclear program is faltering, the international nuclear watchdog agency is putting the finishing touches on its latest assessment and it might go further in tying Iran to a possible weapons program.
NORTH KOREA
Autumn harvest watched warily in food-poor NKorea
Jeah H. Lee, AP - October 20, 2011
This autumn, as farmers fan out into fields of corn, wheat, rice and cabbage, such evocative pastoral scenes — the stuff of centuries-old Dutch landscape paintings — also are a reminder of the challenges North Korea faces in feeding its people.
Six-party talks inch closer to resumption
Kim Young-jin, The Korea Times - October 20, 2011
A series of diplomatic moves over North Korea’s nuclear program is cautiously inching regional players closer to resuming long-stalled multilateral negotiations, analysts said Thursday.
North-South Korea talks in US serious, but civil: What We're Reading Now
Oct 19, 2011
IRAN
Sanctions, flaws hobble Iran nuclear program: study
AFP - October 18, 2011
Iran's nuclear program has been hampered by machine design flaws, equipment breakdowns and problems getting parts because of international sanctions, a US think-tank report said.
Iran could make atom bomb material despite hurdles: report
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - October 18, 2011
Iran's nuclear program is struggling with low-performing enrichment machines but it would still be able to produce material that could be used for atomic bombs, according to a U.S. think tank.
UK orders asset freeze over assassination plot
David Stringer, Bloomsberg Businessweek - October 19, 2011
Britain's Treasury said Tuesday it had ordered the assets of five men frozen in connection with the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States.
NORTH & SOUTH KOREA
China's vice premier to visit North, South Korea
AP - October 19, 2011
A Chinese vice premier will visit North and South Korea in rare rapid succession as Beijing notes positive momentum is growing to restart stalled talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament.
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.