Iran
Ayatollah Khamenei gives Iran nuclear talks unprecedented legitimacy
Roshanak Taghavi, Christian Science Monitor – May 4, 2012
With a second round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the “P5+1” powers just weeks away, analysts inside the Islamic Republic say Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has lent upcoming nuclear negotiations unprecedented legitimacy.
Netanyahu is mistaken on Iran, says election rival
Allyn Fisher-Ilan, Reuters – May 5, 2012
A key rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized his hawkish stance on Iran’s nuclear program on Saturday, making the issue a central theme for parliamentary elections expected this year.
U.S. wants ‘urgent’ Iranian steps in nuclear talks
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – May 7, 2012
The United States called on Iran on Monday to take “urgent practical steps” to build confidence during nuclear talks with world powers, and the European Union said Tehran must suspend sensitive atomic activities.
Arms Control
Non-nuclear states lobby big powers to disarm faster
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – May 4, 2012
Non-nuclear states are urging nuclear-armed nations to disarm faster, while nuclear powers say they are making “unprecedented progress” in doing so, a divide on display at this week’s meeting to discuss the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Afghanistan
Secret U.S. program releases high-level insurgents in exchange for pledges of peace
Kevin Sieff, Washington Post – May 6, 2012
The United States has for several years been secretly releasing high-level detainees from a military prison in Afghanistan as part of negotiations with insurgent groups, a bold effort to quell violence but one that U.S. officials acknowledge poses substantial risks.
