U.N. Nuclear Monitor Says Deal With Iran Is Near - What We're Reading Now
May 22, 2012

Iran
U.N. Nuclear Monitor Says Deal With Iran Is Near
Alan Cowell, Thomas Erdbrink and Jodi Rudoren, New York Times - May 22, 2012
In an apparent breakthrough that could play into the broader confrontation over Iran’s disputed nuclear ambitions, the leader of the United Nations nuclear monitoring arm said on Tuesday that, despite unspecified differences, he expected to sign a deal with Tehran “quite soon” on arrangements for an investigation into potential military applications of the program.

US Senate approves tougher Iran sanctions
Roberta Rampton and Susan Cornwell, Reuters – May 22, 2012
The U.S. Senate unanimously approved on Monday a package of new economic sanctions on Iran's oil sector just days ahead of a meeting in Baghdad between major world powers and Tehran. The new package would extend sanctions to cover dealings with the National Iranian Oil Co and National Iranian Tanker Co, if they are deemed to be an agent or affiliate of the Revolutionary Guards. It aims to close a potential loophole that could have allowed Tehran to continue selling some of its oil using its own fleet.

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.

Barak: Nuclear talks allowing Iran to continue atomic bid 'ridiculous' - What We're Reading Now
May 17, 2012

Iran

Barak: Nuclear talks allowing Iran to continue atomic bid 'ridiculous'
Haaretz - May 17, 2012
Talks between Iran and world powers that will end in agreed-upon measures that would nonetheless allow Tehran to continue and pursue military aspects of its nuclear program are "ridiculous," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in an interview on Wednesday.

U.S. Senate to consider new Iran sanctions on Thursday
Roberta Rampton, Reuters - May 16, 2012
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid will ask the U.S. Senate to approve a new package of oil and economic sanctions on Thursday aimed at further pressuring Iran to abandon its nuclear program, a Democratic leadership aide told Reuters.

Plans to strike Iran "ready", says US Israel envoy
Maayan Lubell, Reuters - May 17, 2012
U.S. plans for a possible military strike on Iran are ready and the option is "fully available", the U.S. ambassador to Israel said, days before Tehran resumes talks with world powers which suspect it of seeking to develop nuclear arms.

Korean Peninsula

NKorea Nuclear Reactor Construction Progressing
Matthew Pennington, Associated Press - May 16, 2012
A U.S.-based institute said Wednesday new satellite imagery shows that North Korea has resumed building work on a reactor after months of inactivity.

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.

Mideast Nuclear Conference in Jeopardy: What We're Reading Now
May 09, 2012

Iran

Mideast Nuclear Conference in Jeopardy
George Jahn, Associated Press - May 8, 2012
Hopes dimmed Tuesday for staging major nuclear talks later this year between Israel and its Muslim rivals, as Iran and Arab countries at a 189-nation conference accused Israel of being the greatest threat to peace in the region and Egypt warned that Arab states might rethink their opposition to atomic arms.

Iran Seeks to Scuttle U.S. Pact With Kabul
Nathan Hodge and Habib Khan Totakhil, Wall Street Journal - May 8, 2012
Iran is raising pressure on Afghanistan to scuttle a newly signed security accord with the U.S., threatening to deport Afghan refugees and migrant workers if Afghanistan's parliament ratifies the deal.

New Israel Partner Offers Moderate Voice on Iran
Isabel Kershner, New York Times - May 8, 2012
Less than two weeks ago, Yuval Diskin, the recently retired chief of Israel’s internal security agency, carried out a blistering verbal assault on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Ehud Barak, questioning their judgment in handling what they regard as an Iranian nuclear threat and accusing them of making decisions “based on messianic feelings.”

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.

Ayatollah Khamenei gives Iran nuclear talks unprecedented legitimacy: What We're Reading Now
May 07, 2012

Iran

Ayatollah Khamenei gives Iran nuclear talks unprecedented legitimacy
Roshanak Taghavi, Christian Science Monitor - May 4, 2012
With a second round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the “P5+1” powers just weeks away, analysts inside the Islamic Republic say Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has lent upcoming nuclear negotiations unprecedented legitimacy.

Netanyahu is mistaken on Iran, says election rival
Allyn Fisher-Ilan, Reuters - May 5, 2012
A key rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized his hawkish stance on Iran's nuclear program on Saturday, making the issue a central theme for parliamentary elections expected this year.

U.S. wants 'urgent' Iranian steps in nuclear talks
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - May 7, 2012
The United States called on Iran on Monday to take "urgent practical steps" to build confidence during nuclear talks with world powers, and the European Union said Tehran must suspend sensitive atomic activities.

Iran says seeks end to sanctions at talks with world powers: What We're Reading Now
May 02, 2012

Iran

Iran says seeks end to sanctions at talks with world powers
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters - May 2, 2012
Iran said on Wednesday it was seeking an end to Western sanctions over its arms program during talks with world powers and criticized France for helping Israel, the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have atomic weapons.

IMF rejects call to cut ties with Iran
Agence France Presse - May 1, 2012
The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday rejected a call by a US anti-Iran group for it to cut its relations with Tehran's central bank in order to adhere to US and European sanctions.

U.S. Expands Reach Of Sanctions On Syria, Iran
Kevin Hall, McClatchy News Services - May 2, 2012
The Obama administration on Tuesday granted the Treasury Department authority blacklist foreign nationals and companies that help Iran and Syria evade U.S. and international sanctions. President Barack Obama signed an executive order and notified congressional leaders that he had given Treasury expanded powers thwart the evasion of U.S. sanctions.

Iran is top ‘contingency’ in whittled U.S. war plans
Rowan Scarborough, The Washington Times - May 1, 2012
The U.S. military is discussing significant changes in its war plans to adhere to President Obama’s strategic guidance that downplays preparing for conflicts such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and counts on allies to provide additional troops.