IRAN
Bid to restart Iran nuclear talks pits Western demands against Tehran’s defiance
Ali Akbar Dareini, AP – January 24, 2012
The last time Iran’s nuclear envoys held talks with the U.S. and other world powers, the negotiations limped along until a parting shot by the Islamic Republic: Its labs boosted the enrichment levels of uranium in reply to demands for a full-scale freeze.
Amid New Sanctions, Obama Confronts the Challenges of Diplomacy with Iran
Tony Karon, TIME Magazine (Blog) – January 23, 2012
Despite the deafening racket of the mass-media drums of war, neither President Obama nor the Pentagon has an appetite for a confrontation with Iran that could unleash havoc across the Middle East and would at best simply delay Tehran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.
Foreign Policy: Stop The Madness
Yousaf Butt, NPR – January 23, 2012
Olli Heinonen is alarmed that Iran has begun producing 20 percent enriched uranium at a new, deeply buried site, and calculates that Iranian scientists could further purify the material to the 90 percent enrichment needed for a bomb in about six months’ time.
Bank Tejarat Banned by U.S., EU in Move Stifling Iran Trade
Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg Businessweek – January 24, 2012
The U.S. and European Union took steps to cut off from the international financial system Bank Tejarat, the last institution financing high-volume exports and imports between Iran and Europe.
SOUTH ASIA
In Pakistan, coup looms but does not strike
Karin Brulliard, The Washington Post – January 23, 2012
Just days ago, the rumblings of a familiar process seemed underway in Pakistan: The squeezed civilian government berated the looming military. The army darkly warned of consequences. A new general assumed control of a brigade known for helping to oust past governments. The president flew overseas.
India becomes 6th nation to join elite nuclear submarine club
Rajat Pandit, The Times of India – January 24, 2012
India’s long hunt for a nuclear submarine is finally over. But it will take the country another 10-12 months to get an operational nuclear weapon triad – the capability to fire nukes from land, air and sea.
UNITED STATES
Obama Said to Submit Fiscal 2013 Budget to Congress Feb. 13
Roger Runningen and Julianna Goldman, Bloomberg Businessweek – January 23, 2012
The election-year proposal, a reflection of Obama’s policies, will outline proposed revenue and spending plans for the year that begins Oct. 1, along with deficit, inflation, unemployment and economic growth forecasts.
How Newt, Mitt and Rick Are Leading Us to War with Iran
Robert Wright, The Atlantic – January 23, 2012
Today President Obama was all aglow about the new sanctions on Iran announced by the European Union. After hailing this sign of “the unity of the international community,” he promised that “the United States will continue to impose new sanctions to increase the pressure on Iran.” Surprisingly upbeat for a man who is being led into war by his political opponents!
