IRAN
Iran nuclear drive heightens risk of strike: France
AFP — September28, 2011
France’s UN envoy warned that Iran faces the risk of a military strike if it pursues its nuclear drive because certain countries would not accept it having an atomic weapon.
Energy Secretary Chu On Iran’s Nuclear Activities
Voice of America — September 27, 2011
“Iran has continued to engage in a long-standing pattern of denial, deceit and evasion, in violation of its non-proliferation obligations.”
NORTH KOREA
Admiral says U.S. keeping eye on N. Korean leader, succession process
Ashley Rowland, Stars and Stripes — September 27, 2011
Kim Jong Il’s health and the ongoing succession process in North Korea could determine the timing of future North Korean attacks, the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific said Tuesday.
NK blames Libyan regime collapse on absence of nukes: outgoing British envoy
The Korean Times — September 27, 2011
North Korean officials believe the Libyan regime would not have collapsed had it held on to its nuclear weapons, the outgoing British ambassador to Pyongyang said Wednesday, casting doubts on the likelihood that the North will relinquish its nuclear capabilities.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Russia wants missile defense legal guarantee
CBS — September 27, 2011
Russia is voicing concern about the U.S. missile defense program and says it needs “solid legal guarantees” that American deployments will not upset the strategic and regional nuclear balance.
Russia wants missile defense guarantees, says U.S. statements on program wont do
The Washington Post — September 27, 2011
Russia voiced concern Tuesday about U.S. missile defense plans and said it needs “solid legal guarantees” that American deployments will not upset the strategic and regional nuclear balance.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s double-game: treachery or strategy?
John Chalmers, Reuters — September 26
Washington has just about had it with Pakistan. “Turns out they are disloyal, deceptive and a danger to the United States,” fumed Republican Representative Ted Poe last week. “We pay them to hate us. Now we pay them to bomb us. Let’s not pay them at all.”
Pakistan pushes back against U.S. charges, woos China
John Chalmers and Chris Allbritton, Reuters — September 27, 2011
Pakistan warned the United States on Tuesday to stop accusing it of playing a double game with Islamist militants and heaped praise on “all-weather friend” China.
