Iran
Most Americans would back U.S. strike over Iran nuclear weapon: poll
Jeff Mason, Reuters – March 13, 2012
A majority of Americans would support military action against Iran if there were evidence that Tehran is building nuclear weapons, even if such action led to higher gasoline prices, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Tuesday.
Three of Four American Oppose Israeli Strike on Iran
Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg – March 13, 2012
An Israeli military strike against Iran’s nuclear program is opposed by three out of four Americans, according to a poll by the University of Maryland and the Program on International Policy Attitudes.
Iran May Not Open a Site to Inspectors
Rick Gladstone, New York Times – March 13, 2012
Iran signaled on Tuesday that it was unwilling to grant a request by international nuclear inspectors for unfettered access to a restricted military complex that they suspect may house a chamber designed to test explosives used in atomic weapons triggers.
Iranian-backed terror groups expanding reach in South America, warns general
Carlo Munoz, The Hill (Blog) – March 13, 2012
Iranian-backed terror groups are strengthening their ties to transnational criminal groups in South America and are working to expand their influence in the region, according to a top U.S. general.
Missile Defense
Russian Official: No Missile Deal at NATO Summit
Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press – March 13, 2012
Russia and the United States have failed to narrow their differences over a planned U.S. missile shield and stand practically no chance of reaching a compromise at the NATO summit in Chicago in May, a top Russian official said Tuesday.
Afghanistan
U.S. Seeks to Extend Base Lease
Julian Barnes, Wall Street Journal – March 13, 2012
U.S. defense officials remained hopeful about future access to an air base in Central Asia considered critical to plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, despite renewed calls from the host government of Kyrgyzstan to end the American military presence.
Other
New Interest in Hacking as Threat to Security
Michael Schmidt, New York Times – March 13, 2012
During the five-month period between October and February, there were 86 reported attacks on computer systems in the United States that control critical infrastructure, factories and databases, according to the Department of Homeland Security, compared with 11 over the same period a year ago.
