IRAN
Sarkozy Advises Against Military Strike on Iran
Jamey Keaten, Associated Press – February 8, 2012
French President Nicolas Sarkozy put his reputation as a stalwart friend of Israel on the line Wednesday, warning that military action was no way to deal with nuclear-minded Iran at a dinner hosted by France’s main Jewish group — and his likely presidential election rival in the audience.
At the Pentagon and in Israel, Plans Show the Difficulties of an Iran Strike
Walter Pincus, Washington Post – February 8, 2012
If you are not prepared to go to war, you cannot threaten that “nothing is off the table” as you search for diplomatic solutions.
Israel’s President Sends Message of Peace to Iran
Associated Press – February 8, 2012
Israel’s president reached out to the Iranian people with a message of peace Wednesday, as the West tightened sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program, and a former Israeli spymaster said Israel is not in mortal danger.
Former Israeli Spy Chief: ‘I Don’t Think There is an Existential Threat’ to Israel
Eli Clifton, Think Progress – February 8, 2012
Right-wing pundits and politicians are loudly declaring that diplomatic efforts to stop Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program have failed and the time has come for Obama to either participate in a military attack against Iran or stand back while Israel launches airstrikes. The argument increasingly hinges on a “closing window of opportunity” which, according to various reports, limit the Israelis to striking this spring or living with a nuclear weapons armed Iran
KOREAN PENINSULA
S.Korea, Russia Agree on Early Resumption of N. Korea Nuclear Talks
Yonhap News Agency – February 9, 2012
South Korea and Russia have agreed that the stalled six-nation talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons program need to be swiftly resumed, Seoul officials said Thursday, amid persistent concern following the death of the North’s leader Kim Jong-il.
UNITED STATES
Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Cut, Invest in Nuclear Weapons
Jeremy Herb, The Hill – February 8, 2012
A group of Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday to cut $100 billion in “outdated” nuclear weapons programs, while Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) announced he will drop a bill for continued investment in modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
