Israel Ex-Spy Chief Urges Caution on Iran Strike: What We're Reading Now
Mar 09, 2012
Iran
Israel Ex-Spy Chief Urges Caution on Iran Strike
Daniel Estrin, Associated Press - March 9, 2012
The recently retired head of the Mossad intelligence agency has said Israel must consider alternatives to a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but another expert said Friday an Israeli attack could come within months.
Iran Is Pressed on Access for Nuclear Inspectors
Rick Gladstone and William J. Broad
The six world powers that have agreed to resume negotiations with Iran over its disputed nuclear program issued a blunt request on Thursday that the Iranians allow international inspectors unfettered access, most notably to Parchin, a large restricted military complex that the inspectors suspect may house a testing chamber for explosives used in atomic weapons triggers.
Pace of Iran's Nuclear Program Is "Overestimated"
NPR - March 9, 2012
Iranians have agreed to meet with Western officials to discuss their nuclear program, amid increasing Western concern about its purpose. Steve Inskeep talks to Paul Pillar about his article in The Washington Monthly entitled "We Can Live with a Nuclear Iran." Pillar teaches in the security studies program at Georgetown University.
Susan Rice on Iran Talks: "Window is Finite"
Tim Mak, Politico - March 8, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice had some tough words for Iran Thursday, saying regarding negotiations that Iran’s “window is finite.”
Israel Asks U.S. for Arms That Could Aid Iran Strike
Reuters - March 8, 2012
Israel has asked the United States for advanced "bunker-buster" bombs and refuelling planes that could improve its ability to attack Iran's underground nuclear sites, an Israeli official said on Thursday.
World Powers Seek Unity on Iran Nuke Program: What We're Reading Now
Mar 08, 2012
Iran
World Powers Seek Unity on Iran Nuke Program
George Jahn, Associated Press - March 7, 2012
Six world powers struggled Wednesday to find common ground on how harshly to criticize Iran, reflecting the difficulties of presenting a united front at upcoming talks with the Islamic republic meant to coax it into reducing activities that could be used to make a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear Agency Fears Tehran is 'Cleansing' Site
Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal - March 7, 2012
Satellite imagery taken of Iran is raising concerns inside the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that Tehran has been "cleansing" a military site that the agency believes may have been involved in nuclear-weapons development, according to Western officials briefed on the intelligence.
Sen. Levin Sees Israeli Attack to Halt Iranian Nuclear Program as "Very Likely"
Jeremy Herb, The Hill - March 6, 2012
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said Tuesday that he believes an Israeli attack on Iran is “very likely.”
Israelis Criticize PM's Iran-Holocaust Parallels
Daniel Estrin, Associated Press - March 7, 2012
The Israeli prime minister's linking of Iran to Nazi Germany evoked ringing applause this week at a gathering of a pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington. Back home, though, it drew some heavy criticism
'Iran Is Not Telling Us Everything,' U.N. Atomic Agency Chief Says
CNN Wire Staff, CNN - March 8,2012
Iran is not open about its nuclear program, but it should be, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Wednesday.
Romney's Wrong-Headed Assertions About Iran
John Kerry, Washington Post - March 7, 2012
I have little interest in inserting myself, as a former nominee of my party, into this presidential campaign season. But as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has a vital role in issues of national security, I feel compelled to respond to the ways that, in pursuit of the Republican nomination, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has put himself front and center in debates that have serious consequences.
The Pentagon Budget: Fiscal 2013 Edition
Feb 14, 2012
Click here to see the whole Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Spending Request Briefing Book.
For Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, which begins on October 1, 2012, the Obama Administration has requested a base budget of $525.4 billion. This represents a $5.1 billion, or approximately 1 percent, decrease from the FY12 base budget approved by Congress.
In addition, the Administration has requested $88.5 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), to continue to fight the wars overseas. This is $26.6 billion decrease from the amount enacted last year, $115.1 billion, and brings the FY13 defense budget request to a total of $613.9 billion.
These numbers do not include nuclear weapons related spending in the Department of Energy (DOE) or other defense related funding. In addition to an initial $613.9 billion for the Pentagon’s base budget and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Administration has requested approximately $17.7 billion for nuclear weapons activities at Department of Energy and $7.2 billion for additional non-Pentagon defense related activities.
This brings total non-Pentagon defense related spending (053/054) to approximately $639 billion, a nominal decrease of about $30.7 billion below FY12, largely due to savings from the war in Afghanistan and the end of the war in Iraq.
Sarkozy Advises Agaionst Military Strike on Iran - What We're Reading Now
Feb 09, 2012
IRAN
Sarkozy Advises Against Military Strike on Iran
Jamey Keaten, Associated Press - February 8, 2012
French President Nicolas Sarkozy put his reputation as a stalwart friend of Israel on the line Wednesday, warning that military action was no way to deal with nuclear-minded Iran at a dinner hosted by France's main Jewish group — and his likely presidential election rival in the audience.
At the Pentagon and in Israel, Plans Show the Difficulties of an Iran Strike
Walter Pincus, Washington Post - February 8, 2012
If you are not prepared to go to war, you cannot threaten that “nothing is off the table” as you search for diplomatic solutions.
Israel's President Sends Message of Peace to Iran
Associated Press - February 8, 2012
Israel's president reached out to the Iranian people with a message of peace Wednesday, as the West tightened sanctions over Iran's nuclear program, and a former Israeli spymaster said Israel is not in mortal danger.
Former Israeli Spy Chief: 'I Don't Think There is an Existential Threat' to Israel
Eli Clifton, Think Progress - February 8, 2012
Right-wing pundits and politicians are loudly declaring that diplomatic efforts to stop Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program have failed and the time has come for Obama to either participate in a military attack against Iran or stand back while Israel launches airstrikes. The argument increasingly hinges on a “closing window of opportunity” which, according to various reports, limit the Israelis to striking this spring or living with a nuclear weapons armed Iran
The House Takes Aggressive Budget Action: Not
Feb 08, 2012
I know you have been waiting with baited breath.
On Friday, the House voted 238 – 179 in favor of eliminating the use of inflation when calculating future year spending.
All Republicans voted yes; all but four Democrats voted no.
The implications for defense budget wonks: in the future, we no longer need to decide whether to use “real” or “nominal” increases in the Pentagon’s budget. No need to factor in inflation. Forget about “deflators.” Republicans say so.
Budget expert Stan Collender correctly characterized the exercise as “the silly season – when ridiculous, reckless or just plain irresponsible budget-related plans or ideas are proposed and, sadly, often debated.”
UN Official Says New Trip to Iran Planned, Indicating Progress: What We're Reading Now
Feb 01, 2012
IRAN
UN Official Says New Trip to Iran Planned, Indicating Progress on Nuclear Issues
Associated Press - February 1, 2012
A U.N. nuclear team on Wednesday announced plans to revisit Tehran “in the very near future,” indicating some progress on its quest to wrest information from Iran about allegations that it secretly worked on an atomic arms program.
Iran Praises Nuclear Talks with Team from UN
Rick Gladstone, New York Times - January 31, 2012
Iran said Tuesday that a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors visiting since the weekend had concluded “constructive and positive” talks with Iranian officials, with further discussions planned at an unspecified date.
Intelligence Report Lists Iran and Cyberattacks as Leading Concerns
Eric Schmitt, New York Times - January 31, 2012
Some senior Iranian leaders are now more willing to carry out attacks inside the United States in response to perceived American threats against their country, the Obama administration’s top intelligence official said on Tuesday, pointing to last fall’s suspected assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to Washington.
Group Urges Credible U.S. Military Threat to Iran
Arshad Mohammad, Reuters - February 1, 2012
The United States should deploy ships, step up covert activities and sharpen its rhetoric to make more credible the threat of a U.S. military strike to stop Iran's nuclear program, a bipartisan group said on Wednesday.
In Israel, A Nonstop Debate On Possible Iran Strike
Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, NPR - January 31, 2012
In Israel, there is daily speculation over whether Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities in the near future. The debate is not only over whether Israel should strike Iran, but what the costs and benefits might be from such a strike.
Iran is ready to return to nuclear talks: What We're Reading Now
Jan 27, 2012
IRAN
Iran is ready to return to nuclear talks
Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press - January 27, 2012
Iran is ready to revive talks with the U.S. and other world powers, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday, but suggested that Tehran's foes will have to make compromises to prevent negotiations from again collapsing in stalemate.
Israel Senses Bluffing in Iran’s Threats of Retaliation
Ethan Bronner, New York Times - January 26, 2012
Israeli intelligence estimates, backed by academic studies, have cast doubt on the widespread assumption that a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities would set off a catastrophic set of events like a regional conflagration, widespread acts of terrorism and sky-high oil prices.
How Iran could beat up on America's superior military
Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor - January 26, 2012
America's defense budget is roughly 90 times bigger than Iran's. But Iran has a well-honed strategy of asymmetric warfare.
KOREAN PENINSULA
US team due in NKorea in March to resume hunt for troops missing in action from Korean War
Associated Press - January 26, 2012
U.S. military personnel will travel to North Korea in March to restart efforts to recover thousands of servicemen missing from the 1950-53 Korean War, the Defense Department said Thursday.
Ahmadinejad Says Iran Is Ready for Nuclear Talks: What We're Reading Now
Jan 26, 2012
IRAN
Ahmadinejad Says Iran Is Ready for Nuclear TalksJ. David Goodman, New York Times - January 26, 2012 Even as he became the latest and most senior member of the Iranian government to publicly declare his readiness for nuclear talks, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday lashed out at the West over its tough new economic sanctions that he said have hurt the Iranian people.
IAEA talks in Tehran to test Iran's nuclear defiance
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - January 26, 2012
A rare visit by senior U.N. nuclear inspectors next week raises pressure on Iran to address suspicions it is trying to develop atomic weapons, though Western powers that are piling on sanctions expect no significant breakthrough.
Can Sanctions Alone Get Iran To Negotiate
Tom Gjelten, NPR - January 25, 2012
In an effort to bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear program through economic pain, both the U.S. and the European Union have imposed sanctions that should make it harder for Iran to sell its oil. But the global oil business is unpredictable, and sanctions are no guarantee.
Iran won't move toward nuclear weapon in 2012 - ISIS report
Tabassum Zakaria and Mark Hosenball, Reuters - January 26, 2012
Iran is unlikely to move toward building a nuclear weapon this year because it does not yet have the capability to produce enough weapon-grade uranium, a draft report by the Institute for Science and International Security said on Wednesday.
U.S. Shifts Policy On Nuclear Pacts: What We're Reading Now
Jan 25, 2012
IRAN
Sanctions Against Iran Grow Tighter, but What’s the Next Step?
Helene Cooper, New York Times - January 24, 2012
As the Obama administration and its European allies toughened economic sanctions against Iran on Monday — blocking its access to the world financial system and undermining its critical oil and gas industry — officials on both sides of the Atlantic acknowledge that their last-ditch effort has only a limited chance of persuading Tehran to abandon what the West fears is its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iran says sanctions to fail, repeats Hormuz threat
Mitra Amiri, Reuters - January 25, 2012
Iranian politicians said on Tuesday they expected the European Union to backtrack on its oil embargo and repeated a threat to close the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane if the West succeeds in preventing Tehran from exporting crude.
KOREAN PENINSULA
U.S. still taking cautious approach to North Korea aid
John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times - January 24, 2012
In mid-December, U.S. negotiators came the closest they'd come in two years to resuming humanitarian food aid for millions of undernourished North Koreans.
UNITED STATES
U.S. Shifts Policy on Nuclear Pacts
Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal - January 25, 2012
The Obama administration, in advanced negotiations on nuclear-cooperation agreements with Jordan and Vietnam, has withdrawn a demand that these countries forgo their rights to produce nuclear fuel, senior U.S. officials said.
Amid New Sanctions, Obama Confronts the Challenges of Diplomacy with Iran: What We're Reading Now
Jan 24, 2012
IRAN
Bid to restart Iran nuclear talks pits Western demands against Tehran’s defiance
Ali Akbar Dareini, AP - January 24, 2012
The last time Iran’s nuclear envoys held talks with the U.S. and other world powers, the negotiations limped along until a parting shot by the Islamic Republic: Its labs boosted the enrichment levels of uranium in reply to demands for a full-scale freeze.
Amid New Sanctions, Obama Confronts the Challenges of Diplomacy with Iran
Tony Karon, TIME Magazine (Blog) - January 23, 2012
Despite the deafening racket of the mass-media drums of war, neither President Obama nor the Pentagon has an appetite for a confrontation with Iran that could unleash havoc across the Middle East and would at best simply delay Tehran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.
Foreign Policy: Stop The Madness
Yousaf Butt, NPR - January 23, 2012
Olli Heinonen is alarmed that Iran has begun producing 20 percent enriched uranium at a new, deeply buried site, and calculates that Iranian scientists could further purify the material to the 90 percent enrichment needed for a bomb in about six months' time.
Bank Tejarat Banned by U.S., EU in Move Stifling Iran Trade
Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg Businessweek - January 24, 2012
The U.S. and European Union took steps to cut off from the international financial system Bank Tejarat, the last institution financing high-volume exports and imports between Iran and Europe.
