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.
United States
House Bill Offers Aid Cuts to Save Military Spending
Jonathan Weisman, New York Times – May 7, 2012
The Republican-led House this week will lay bare the choice between social programs and Pentagon spending in an age of austerity when it takes up legislation to slice $261 billion from food stamps, Medicaid, social services and other programs for struggling Americans over the next decade to stave off more than $50 billion in military spending cuts scheduled to take effect next year.
Republicans seek to add more in defense spending
Walter Pincus, Washington Post – May 8, 2012
House Republicans on Monday spelled out some funding increases they are seeking in defense programs above the amounts President Obama requested in the fiscal 2013 Pentagon budget, including an additional $1 billion for Israeli anti-missile defense systems.
