Special Topics
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Unpublished Photos From the Ruins
Ben Cosgrove, ed., TIME – March 20, 2012
The photographs in this gallery — pictures never published in LIFE and starkly referencing every bleak, war-battered panorama from Verdun to Iwo Jima to Chosin Reservoir to Pork Chop Hill — were made in September, 1945, in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan. But far from chronicling the aftermath of sustained, slogging, armed conflict, these images depict the devastation produced in a few unspeakably violent seconds.
Iran
Obama appeals to Iranians on Persian new year
Associated Press – March 20, 2012
President Barack Obama is telling the Iranian people that there is no reason for the United States and Iran to be divided. In a message marking the Persian new year, known as Nowruz, Obama says he wants Iranians to know that “America seeks a dialogue to hear your views and understand your aspirations.” He called on the Iranian government to stop blocking its citizens’ access to outside information and to respect their universal rights.
Iran leader vows retaliation
Nasser Karimi and Brian Murphy, Associated Press – March 21, 2012
Tehran will retaliate against any attack by Israeli or American forces “on the same level,” Iran’s top leader said Tuesday in a defiant address just moments after President Obama appealed directly to the Iranian people with a message of solidarity.
U.S. Exempts Japan and 10 Other Countries From Sanctions Over Iran Oil
Steven Lee Myers, New York Times – March 20, 2012
The Obama administration on Tuesday exempted Japan and 10 European nations from the prospect of biting sanctions intended to punish countries that continue to buy oil from Iran, but it left open the fate of other major importers, including China, India and South Korea.
Korean Peninsula
China Warns on North Korea
Andrew Browne and Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal – March 20, 2012
China again expressed its “concerns and worries” over rocket-launch plans announced by North Korea ahead of an international nuclear summit in Seoul, as Beijing seeks to portray itself as a peacemaker amid rising pressure on Pyongyang from the U.S. and its allies.
North Korea Complicates Nuclear Talks With Plans
Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times – March 20, 2012
When regional powers gather in Seoul next week to discuss nuclear terrorism, they will have to deal with another urgent matter: how to pressure North Korea to cancel its plans to launch a satellite, President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea said Tuesday.
Afghanistan
Smith wants to speed up removal of U.S. troops
Rob Hotakainen, News Tribune – March 21, 2012
Leaders of the House Armed Services Committee differed Tuesday on how quickly to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan, while the top commander of forces there said the U.S. campaign remains “on track” despite a spate of recent setbacks.
U.S. General Sees No Sudden Afghan Drawdown
Thom Shanker and John Cushman, New York Times – March 20, 2012
The top allied commander in Afghanistan told Congress on Tuesday that he would not be recommending further American troop reductions until late this year, after the departure of the current “surge” forces and the end of the summer fighting season.
