DEFENSE SPENDING
Robert Gates, Former Defense Secretary, Blasts ‘Zealots’ For Budget Bickering, Fiscal Reform Failure
David Wood, Huffington Post – September 17, 2012
In a blistering attack on Washington for failing to confront the nation’s worsening debt and budget problems, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates accused Republican and Democratic politicians Monday of being “more concerned with winning elections and scoring ideological points than with saving the country.”
IRAN
IAEA renews pressure on Iran after “terrorist” outburst
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – September 18, 2012
The U.N. nuclear agency pressed Iran on Tuesday to address concerns about suspected bomb research, saying it was ready for talks soon and avoiding any mention of Tehran’s allegation that “terrorists” may have infiltrated the Vienna-based watchdog.
Romney Warns of Dirty Bomb If Iran Gets Nuclear Weapon
Pema Levy, Talking Points Memo – September 18, 2012
itt Romney argued that it is important to stop Iran’s nuclear program because a nuclear-capable Iran could set off a dirty bomb in an American city during a May fundraiser in Florida, according to video published by Mother Jones Tuesday morning.
Iran launches submarine as US navy drills in Gulf
Reuters, Jerusalem Post – September 18, 2012
Iran launched a submarine and a destroyer into the Gulf from Bandar Abbas port on Tuesday at the same time as US and allied navies held exercises in the same waters to practice keeping oil shipping lanes open.
PAKISTAN
AQ Khan says he was told to sell Pakistan nuclear secrets by Bhutto
NYDailyNews – September 17, 2012
AQ Khan, Pakistan’s renegade nuclear scientist, claims he was ordered to sell nuclear secrets by Benazir Bhutto, the country’s former prime minister. Bhutto’s allies have rubbished the claim but, if true, his revelations raises fresh questions about Pakistan’s role in the spread of nuclear weapons and brings the threat of sanctions.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Poll: Low approval of Mitt Romney’s remarks
Kevin Robillard, Politico – September 17, 2012
Nearly half of Americans who are knowledgeable about the attacks on U.S. outposts in the Middle East approve of President Barack Obama’s handling of the crisis, compared to only a quarter who approve of GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s comments on it, according to a poll released Monday.
SYRIA
Syrian Army Spotted Testing Chemical Arms Firing Units: Report
Global Security Newswire – September 18, 2012
The Syrian military is understood to have late last month test-fired a number of chemical weapon delivery munitions, witnesses told Der Spiegel for a Monday report. Five or six unfilled munitions designed to carry toxic warfare agents were discharged by airplanes and tanks at Diraiham, which is not far from a large chemical arms laboratory at Safira, the German news magazine reported.
NORTH KOREA
Russia, North Korea Sign Debt Pact
Lukas I. Alpert, Wall Street Journal – September 18, 2012
Russia and North Korea have signed a deal to write off nearly all of the isolated Asian country’s $11 billion Soviet-era debt, the Russian Finance Ministry said Tuesday. The agreement forgives 90% of the old debt with the remaining $1 billion to be used as part of a “debt-for-aid” program that will develop energy, health care and educational projects in North Korea and will be repaid over the course of 20 years, the ministry said.
AFGHANISTAN
Suicide Bomber Strikes Vehicle Carrying Foreigners in Kabul
AP, Time – September 18, 2012
Fourteen people, 10 of them foreigners, were killed by a suicide bomber on Tuesday, bringing to at least 28 the number of deaths attributed to unrest sweeping the Muslim world as a result of an amateurish video parodying the Prophet Muhammad.
