IRAN
Retired general: U.S. can’t stop Iran from making nukes
Kristina Wong, Washington Times – February 24, 2012
A former high-ranking military official says the U.S. does not have the ability to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
New IAEA report shows Iran expands nuclear enrichment at Natanz
Laura Rozen, Yahoo News (Blog) – February 24, 2012
A new UN atomic watchdog agency report raises concerns about Iran’s rapid expansion of enrichment activities, as well as its continued foot-dragging in refusing to answer questions about suspected military dimensions of its nuclear program. But the new assessment also hinted at possible technical problems Iran is experiencing, nuclear experts said.
Iran may be “struggling” with new nuclear machines
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – February 27, 2012
Iran is still relying on old technology to expand its nuclear programme, in what may be a sign it is having difficulties developing modern machines that could speed up production of potential bomb material.
Israeli attack on Iran might pull US into new war
Robert Burns, Associated Press – February 26, 2012
An Israeli pre-emptive attack on Iran’s nuclear sites could draw the U.S. into a new Mideast conflict, a prospect dreaded by a war-weary Pentagon wary of new entanglements. That could mean pressing into service the top tier of American firepower — warplanes, warships, special operations forces and possibly airborne infantry — with unpredictable outcomes in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
AFGHANISTAN
Drawdown Pace Criticized
Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal – February 27, 2012
Republicans stepped up criticism of President Barack Obama’s handling of the Afghanistan war over the weekend, with defense hawks saying the administration’s current drawdown plans were misguided, potentially putting U.S. forces at risk.
MISSILE DEFENSE
U.S. general confirms defense shield radar site in Turkey
Dusan Stojanovic, Associated Press – February 26, 2012
U.S. forces are now manning a new radar defense site in Turkey that could help defend Europe from a potential Iranian ballistic-missile attack, the U.S. Army’s commander in Europe said Sunday.
OTHER
NSA Chief Seeks Bigger Cybersecurity Role
Siobhan Gorman, Wall Street Journal – February 26, 2012
The National Security Agency director and other intelligence officials have been making the case within the Obama administration that the NSA should play a bigger role in protecting computer networks in the U.S., according to current and former U.S. officials.
U.S. Teaming With New Yemen Government on Strategy to Combat Al Qaeda
Eric Schmitt, New York TImes – February 26, 2012
The Obama administration is embarking on an ambitious and potentially risky plan to help the new government in Yemen overhaul its military to combat the Qaeda franchise that has exploited the political turmoil there to seize control of large swaths of the country’s south.
