IRAN
Iran condemns American to die, starts nuclear bunker
Parisa Hafezi & Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – January 9, 2012
Iran announced on Monday it had sentenced a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen to death as a spy, and diplomats said it had switched on a uranium enrichment plant deep inside a mountain, actions certain to infuriate the West.
Why New Sanctions Raise Danger of Iran Building Nuclear Weapons
Tony Karon, TIME Magazine (Blog) – January 9, 2012
The White House believes the latest round of saber rattling from Iran is a sign that sanctions are beginning to bite. Perhaps. But as the U.S. and its European partners move to throttle Iran’s economy by cutting off its ability to export oil, it requires a stretch of the imagination to posit that Tehran’s response will be the one desired by Washington.
US will respond if Iran blocks Strait: Panetta
Jim Mannion, AFP – January 8, 2012
The United States will respond if Iran tries to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday, saying such a move would cross a “red line.”
NORTH KOREA
Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China to meet in Beijing on N. Korea
Yonhap News – January 9, 2012
South Korea’s chief nuclear envoy Lim Sung-nam will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart this week on ways to denuclearize North Korea following the death of the North’s leader Kim Jong-il, a Seoul official said Monday.
China pledges to keep peace on Korean peninsula
Allison JAckson, AFP – January 8, 2012
Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged “unremitting efforts” to maintain peace on the Korean peninsula during talks Monday with his South Korean counterpart after the death of Kim Jong-Il.
UNITED STATES
Analysis: Romney’s rivals running out of time to stop him
Tim Reid, Reuters – January 9, 2012
Lee Bandy knows more about politics in South Carolina than just about anybody. For 40 years, Bandy has been among the best political prophets in a state whose primary has correctly picked every Republican candidate for U.S. President since 1980.
Debate shows super PACs’ strength
Kenneth P. Vogel, Politico – January 8, 2012
There’s no better evidence that the Republican presidential field has embraced super PACs as a driving force in their campaign than the debate over what to do about them.
No Need for All These Nukes
Philip Taubman, NYT (Opinion) – January 8, 2012
In the first year of his presidency, Mr. Obama outlined an ambitious nuclear weapons agenda. Absent new action, Washington will remain frozen in a costly cold war posture.
Campaign 2012: The Candidates on Nuclear Proliferation
CFR – January 6, 2012
