IRAN
Israeli PM warns about danger of nuclear Iran
AP – October 31, 2011
Israel’s prime minister says a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a serious threat to the entire world — but particularly to Israel.
Iran Plays Down Likelihood of New Atomic Discussions
Global Security Newswire – October 31, 2011
Further nuclear discussions between Iran and world powers would “not have any meaning” while the United States maintains its confrontational posturing, the Middle Eastern nation’s top diplomat said on Saturday (see GSN, Oct. 28).
China’s Iranian Gambit
Michael Singh & Jaqueline Newmyer Deal, Foreign Policy (Blog) – October 31, 2011
Beijing is using the Islamic Republic to foil American interests in the Middle East. It’s time we wised up to this dangerous game.
NORTH & SOUTH KOREA
EU legislators to visit S. Korea this week
Yonhap News – November 1, 2011
A delegation of European Union legislators will visit Seoul this week for talks on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and other issues, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Tuesday.
S.Korea President leaves for Russia, G20 in France
AFP – November 1, 2011
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak left Tuesday for talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expected to focus on North Korea’s nuclear programmes and a proposed gas pipeline via the North.
PAKISTAN/SYRIA
UN ‘probes links between Syria and father of Pakistan’s atomic bomb A Q Khan’
The Telegraph – November 1, 2011
UN investigators have reportedly identified a previously unknown complex in Syria that bolsters suspicions that the Syrian government worked with A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan’s atomic bomb, to acquire technology that could make nuclear arms.
UNITED STATES
Tales From the Supercommittee
Washington Post (editorial) – October 31, 2011
There are only three weeks left for the Congressional supercommittee to come up with a plan to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2 trillion, and there is no sign that the panel is anywhere close to reaching an agreement. Only one side, in fact, seems to be trying — the Democrats — and it is being far too accommodating, given the fierce obstructionism of the other side, the Republicans.
Domestic Woes Sideline Foreign Policy
Gerald, F. Seib, WSJ – November 1, 2011
Leaving aside what this dynamic means for Mr. Obama’s re-election effort, it’s also affecting the overall tenor of the 2012 presidential campaign, which may be devoting less attention to foreign affairs at this point than any since the end of World War II.
