U.N. nuclear chief holds talks in Tehran, hopes for deal - What We’re Reading Now
May 21, 2012
Iran
Iran sanctions bill blocked in U.S. Senate
Joby Warrick, Washington Post - May 18, 2012
A Senate bill intended to tighten economic sanctions against Iran was blocked Thursday by Senate Republicans who said they were holding out for an even tougher measure that included an explicit threat of a U.S. military strike if Iran refuses to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Six nations agree on nuclear proposal to Iran
Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times – May 19, 2012
The permanent five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have agreed on a proposal to help Iran fuel a small reactor used for medical purposes, and to forgo seeking further United Nations economic sanctions. In exchange, Iran would be required to stop enriching uranium to 20% of purity, surrender its stockpile of uranium already enriched to that level, and halt operations at an underground enrichment facility near the city of Qom.
U.N. nuclear chief holds talks in Tehran, hopes for deal
Fredrik Dahl and Marcus George, Reuters – May 21, 2012
The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief held rare talks in Tehran on Monday after voicing hope for a deal to investigate suspected atomic bomb research - a gesture Iran might make to try to get international sanctions relaxed and deflect threats of war.
Iran Nuke Talks to Continue, Sign of Progress: What We're Reading Now
May 16, 2012
Iran
Iran Nuke Talks to Continue, Sign of Progress
George Jahn, Associated Press - May 15, 2012
Negotiators for the U.N. nuclear agency and Iran say they have made progress in talks focused on the agency's probe of Tehran's alleged work on nuclear weapons. International Atomic Energy Agency chief negotiator Herman Nackaerts and Iranian envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh told reporters Tuesday that the two sides will meet again next week for more talks in Vienna.
Iran nuclear concession would test big power unity
William Maclean and Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - May 16, 2012
Facing an imminent toughening of sanctions, Iran is hinting at a readiness to give some ground in its long nuclear stand-off with world powers, but any flexibility could split their ranks and lead to protracted uncertainty about how to respond.
Living with a nuclear Iran
Charles Pena, McClatchy News Service (Op-Ed) - May 15, 2012
After months of heated rhetoric, the threat of a conflict with Iran over its nuclear program seems to be subsiding.
Korean Peninsula
China pushes North Korea to drop nuclear test plan
Benjamin Kang Lim, Reuters - May 16, 2012
China has been quietly and gently pressuring North Korea to scrap plans for a third nuclear test, said two sources with knowledge of closed-door discussions between the countries, but there is no indication how the North will react. If North Korea goes ahead with the test, China would consider taking some retaliatory steps, but they would not be substantive, a source with ties to Pyongyang and Beijing told Reuters.
What We’re Reading Now
May 15, 2012
IRAN
Iran upbeat on U.N. nuclear talks, diplomats skeptical
Fredrick Dahl, Reuters – May 15
Iran gave an upbeat assessment on Tuesday of talks with the U.N. nuclear watchdog about its atomic activity but diplomats voiced doubt inspectors would gain access to a military site where they believe tests of use in making atomic bombs were carried out.
UK warns of more EU Iran sanctions if no change
Reuters – May 14
The European Union will impose tougher sanctions on Iran if it fails to take concrete steps to allay international concerns over its nuclear programme, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Monday.
Group Sees Sign of Iran Cleanup at Nuclear Site: What We're Reading Now
May 10, 2012
Iran
Hollande and Iran
John Vinocur, New York Times (Op-Ed) - May 9, 2012
In the run-up to the French presidential election, the Iranian newspaper Tehran Emrooz wrote that “emphasis must be given to the advantages of a victory by François Hollande.” "A victory will lead to a softening of Paris’ policies toward Iran,” it said. “France under Sarkozy was the strong voice in the European Union against Iran. Hollande’s victory will bring nuances to this approach.”
Group Sees Sign of Iran Cleanup at Nuclear Site
Rick Gladstone, New York Times - May 9, 2012
New commercial satellite imagery of an Iranian military site that has remained off limits to international nuclear inspectors shows recent activity that suggests the Iranians have tried to clean up a suspected explosives testing chamber there, a group that tracks nuclear proliferation said Wednesday.
Russia
Putin Pulls Out Of US Summit, Meeting With Obama
Associated Press - May 9, 2012
Russian President Vladimir Putin is skipping a planned visit to the United States this month for an economic summit and a much-anticipated meeting with President Barack Obama, the White House announced Wednesday.
US, EU urge Iran to ease world nuclear concerns: What We're Reading Now
May 08, 2012
Iran
US, EU urge Iran to ease world nuclear concerns
George Jahn, Associated Press - May 7, 2012
The United States and Europe urged Iran on Monday to use upcoming talks with world powers to ease international worry that it may be aiming to develop nuclear arms, but Tehran said such concerns were based on "fake evidence" concocted to cause it political and economic harm.
Where does the Israeli security establishment stand on attacking Iran
Dan Murphy, Christian Science Monitor - May 6, 2012
Former Mossad boss Meir Dagan and former Shin Bet boss Yuval Diskin have joined former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in recent weeks in warning against an Israeli attack on Iran any time soon. Mr. Barak dismissed their views as serving Iranian interests, saying the "Olmert gang is traveling around the world and speaking in a way that is serving Iran."
Israeli PM Netanyahu unveils new unity government
Josef Federman, Associated Press - May 8, 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a revamped coalition government on Tuesday, forming a broad alliance with the chief opposition party that could free his hand to take bold action on peace with the Palestinians and decide whether to attack Iran.
Korean Peninsula
N. Korean nuclear weapons: How real is the threat
Eric Talmadge, Associated Press - May 8, 2012
If getting international attention is North Korea's goal, then there is nothing quite like detonating a nuclear device to make your adversaries sit up and take notice. But experts say North Korea probably has a long way to go before it will be able to actually deploy a nuclear weapon.
Watchdog: Pentagon Buys Weapons Backwards - What We're Reading Now
Apr 25, 2012
Korean Peninsula
North Korean nuclear test could happen as early as Tuesday night
Richard Engel, Jim Miklaszewski and Robert Windrem, NBC News - April 24, 2012
North Korea could carry out an underground test of a nuclear weapon as early as Tuesday night as the North's reclusive leadership dramatically tries to up the stakes with the U.S. and the West, U.S. officials told NBC News.
U.S. Warns North Korea on Nuclear Test
Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times - April 25, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta warned North Korea on Tuesday not to conduct another nuclear test, saying it would create “greater instability in a dangerous part of the world.”
Iran
Israel army chief says Iran unlikely to make bomb
Maayan Lubell, Reuters - April 25, 2012
Israel's military chief said he does not believe Iran will decide to produce an atomic bomb, describing its leadership as "very rational" in an interview published on Wednesday.
Ex-Iran negotiator: "historic" chance for nuke talks
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - April 25, 2012
Iran and major nations have a "historic opportunity" to settle their decade-old nuclear dispute, but requiring the Islamic state to stop higher-grade uranium enrichment would be discriminatory, Tehran's former chief nuclear negotiator said.
U.S. and NATO Finalize Pacts on Ending Afghan War: What We're Reading Now
Apr 19, 2012
Korean Peninsula
This Time, a Less Predictable Pyongyang
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times - April 18, 2012
Things tend to repeat themselves enough in the continuing North Korean missile and nuclear crises that analysts and journalists often joke that if they pulled out their old reports and changed the dates, they could pretty much describe the latest episode.
S. Korea deploys new missile capable of hitting anywhere in N. Korea
Yonhap News Agency - April 19, 2012
South Korea has deployed a new long-range cruise missile that puts nuclear and missile sites in the entire North Korean territory within striking distance, defense ministry officials said Thursday, amid growing security jitters sparked by the North's botched rocket launch.
Afghanistan
U.S. and NATO Finalize Pacts on Ending Afghan War
Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times - April 18, 2012
The United States and its allies in NATO finalized agreements on Wednesday to wind down the war in Afghanistan, paving the way for President Obama to announce at a NATO summit meeting in Chicago next month that the unpopular, nearly 11-year-old conflict is close to an end.
Afghanistan needs firm security funding pledges, U.S. says
David Cloud, Los Angeles Times - April 18, 2012
The United States and its allies are promising to provide more than $4 billion a year for Afghanistan's army and police after international forces depart in 2 1/2 years, but they still lack firm financial pledges to meet the target, U.S. officials said.
Hard Line on Iran Places White House in a Bind: What We're Reading Now
Mar 30, 2012
Iran
Hard Line on Iran Places White House in a Bind
Mark Landler, Thom Shanker, and Helene Cooper, New York Times - March 29, 2012
As American and European diplomats prepare for crucial negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, the White House finds itself caught in a bind: for the diplomatic effort to work, American officials say, the Iranian government must believe that President Obama is ready and willing to take military action.
Korean Peninsula
Japan will intercept NKorean rocket if threatened
Associated Press - March 30, 2012
Japan's defense minister Friday ordered missile units to intercept a long-range rocket expected to be launched by North Korea if the rocket or its fragments threaten to hit Japan.
Afghanistan
Afghan Local Police key to success against Taliban
Rowan Scarborough, Washington Times - March 29, 2012
A small, little-noticed counterinsurgency force that was created in the ninth year of the Afghanistan War is proving to be the key for U.S. troops to leave the country in victory.
Second Afghan Insurgent Group Suspends Peace Talks
Matthew Rosenberg and Rod Nordland, New York Times - March 29, 2012
Stalled peace efforts in Afghanistan suffered another setback on Thursday when a second insurgent faction — one that has squared off against both the American-led coalition and the Taliban — announced it was suspending formal peace negotiations with the Afghan government, as the Taliban did earlier this month.
Iran's UN fact sheet - Weapons track not confirmed: What We're Reading Now
Mar 12, 2012
Iran
Skeptics doubt U.S. can be certain about Iran's nuclear progress
Ken Dilanian, Los Angeles Times - March 11, 2012
Despite President Obama's assurances that the United States will know if Tehran begins to secretly build a nuclear bomb, some senior officials familiar with U.S. intelligence and spying capabilities in Iran are doubtful.
Israel Unveils New Bunker Buster, Hones ‘Credible’ Military Option for Iran
Barbara Opall-Rome, Defense News - March 11, 2012
Israel last week unveiled an improved precision, bunker-burrowing weapon, the latest in a series of operational upgrades aimed at honing what one official here labeled “a very credible military option” against the Iranian nuclear threat.
U.N. Won’t Back Down on Iran Nuclear Inspections
Michael Adler, The Daily Beast - March 11, 2012
The U.N. nuclear agency will not back off its demand to visit the Parchin military site even if this escalates the confrontation with Iran over its alleged nuclear-weapons work, the agency’s head Yukiya Amano told Newsweek/The Daily Beast in an exclusive interview.
Iran's UN fact sheet: Weapons track not confirmed
George Jahn, Associated Press - March 11, 2012
Nine years ago, the United States invaded Iraq after telling the world that Saddam Hussein had covert weapons programs that could build nuclear arms. In the end, nothing was found. Today, acting on similar fears, Israel is threatening to attack Iran.
North Korea agrees to 'nuclear moratorium: What We're Reading Now
Feb 29, 2012
Korean Peninsula
North Korea agrees to 'nuclear moratorium'
BBC News - February 29, 2012
North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, as well as nuclear and long-range missile tests, US and North Korean officials say. The US State Department said the North had also agreed to allow UN inspectors to monitor its reactor in Yongbyon to verify compliance with the measures. In return, Washington is set to provide Pyongyang with some 240,000 tonnes of food aid.
Amid Tensions, U-2 Spy Planes Keep Watch on NKorea
CBS News - February 29, 2012
As a sleek black U-2 roars back from a mission, Pontiac cars zoom along the runway to help it touch down using a method unchanged for more than 50 years ago when this Cold War-era aircraft was cutting-edge.
Iran
U.S. Sees Iran Attacks as Likely if Israel Strikes
Thom Shanker, Helene Cooper, Ethan Bronner, New York Times - February 29, 2012
American officials who have assessed the likely Iranian responses to any attack by Israel on its nuclear program believe that Iran would retaliate by launching missiles on Israel and terrorist-style attacks on United States civilian and military personnel overseas.
Obama Likely to Resist Pressure to Futher Toughen Iran Stance
Paul Richter and Christi Parsons, LA Times - February 28, 2012
The White House indicated Tuesday that President Obama would resist pressure for a tougher Iran policy coming from Israel and some U.S. lawmakers who argue that Tehran should not be allowed to acquire even the capability to eventually develop a nuclear weapon.
