Iran
Deal Struck to Tighten Sanctions Against Iran
New York Times – July 31, 2012
House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement Monday night on a new round of sanctions against Iran, cracking down on energy, shipping and insurance sectors with punitive measures intended to derail what the West suspects is Tehran’s push to be able to build nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Weapons
Japan pro-bomb voices grow louder amid nuke debate
Yuri Kageyama, AP – July 31, 2012
A contentious debate over nuclear power in Japan is also bringing another question out of the shadows: Should Japan keep open the possibility of making nuclear weapons — even if only as an option?
The call for a revised nuclear strategy
Mary Kaszynski, The Hill – July 30, 2012
There may not be agreement on the size and shape of the future force, but there is growing consensus among the nation’s leaders that it’s time to bring U.S. nuclear strategy into the 21st century. This consensus includes two former commanders of U.S. Strategic Command.
Iraq
US cuts police training, downsizes Iraq mission
W.G. Dunlop, AFP – July 31, 2012
The United States has slashed a signature Iraqi police training programme as it downsizes its massive diplomatic mission amid high costs and negative Iraqi sentiment, a US watchdog said on Monday.
Defense Spending
F-22 Fighter Loses $79 Billion Advantage in Dogfights: Report
Lee Ferran, ABC News – July 30, 2012
The United States has spent nearly $80 billion to develop the most advanced stealth fighter jet in history, the F-22 Raptor, but the Air Force recently found out firsthand that while the planes own the skies at modern long-range air combat, it is “evenly matched” with cheaper, foreign jets when it comes to old-school dogfighting.
US Presidential Campaign
Another hiccup? Romney’s foreign trip not smooth
Kasie Hunt, AP – July 31, 2012
Whether or not the trip changes votes back home, the effect hasn’t seemed to be what Romney’s presidential campaign had in mind.
