Iran
Hollande and Iran
John Vinocur, New York Times (Op-Ed) – May 9, 2012
In the run-up to the French presidential election, the Iranian newspaper Tehran Emrooz wrote that “emphasis must be given to the advantages of a victory by François Hollande.” “A victory will lead to a softening of Paris’ policies toward Iran,” it said. “France under Sarkozy was the strong voice in the European Union against Iran. Hollande’s victory will bring nuances to this approach.”
Group Sees Sign of Iran Cleanup at Nuclear Site
Rick Gladstone, New York Times – May 9, 2012
New commercial satellite imagery of an Iranian military site that has remained off limits to international nuclear inspectors shows recent activity that suggests the Iranians have tried to clean up a suspected explosives testing chamber there, a group that tracks nuclear proliferation said Wednesday.
Russia
Putin Pulls Out Of US Summit, Meeting With Obama
Associated Press – May 9, 2012
Russian President Vladimir Putin is skipping a planned visit to the United States this month for an economic summit and a much-anticipated meeting with President Barack Obama, the White House announced Wednesday.
United States
House panel OKs missile defense site on East Coast
Robert Burns and Donna Cassata, Associated Press – May 9, 2012
The House Armed Services Committee has voted to build a missile defense site on the East Coast even though the Pentagon says the facility is unnecessary.
Don’t let foxes guard our nuclear henhouse
Katherine Fuchs, The Hill (Blog) – May 9, 2012
Today the House Armed Services Committee will debate the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), possibly overturning 25 years of safety standards at our nation’s weapons facilities. During this debate members of this committee will have a choice – they can protect communities around nuclear sites and the employees who work there or they can go on record as turning their back on those safety standards.
House to vote on GOP plan that would forestall Pentagon cuts
Rosalind Helderman, Washington Post – May 9, 2012
The House is expected to vote Thursday on a Republican plan that would spare the Pentagon from the deep across-the-board spending cuts envisioned as part of last summer’s debt-ceiling agreement, reviving what has been an emotional debate in Washington about the best ways to reduce the federal budget deficit.
Bomber Should Be Nuclear-Ready From Start, Lawmakers Say
Roxana Tiron, Bloomberg – May 9, 2012
House lawmakers pressed the U.S. Air Force to ensure its planned new bomber can carry nuclear weapons as soon as it is operational.
