IRAN
U.S. Concerned Iran on Verge of Underground Nuclear Enrichment
A.R. Lakshmanan, The San Francisco Chronicle — December 15, 2011
The Obama administration is concerned Iran is on the verge of being able to enrich uranium at a facility deep underground near the Muslim holy city of Qom, which may strengthen those advocating tougher action to stop Iran’s suspected atomic weapons program.
Iran ready to start nuclear work in bunker: sources
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters — December 15, 2011
Iran could soon begin sensitive atomic activities in an underground facility deep inside a mountain, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday, a move that would up the ante in a stand-off with big powers demanding Tehran curb such work.
NORTH KOREA
US says food aid to North Korea could resume pending outcome of talks in Beijing
The Washington Post — December 15, 2011
U.S. officials say food aid to North Korea could resume depending on whether Pyongyang can provide the necessary monitoring assurances in talks between the sides that began Thursday in Beijing.
UPDATE 1-US House votes sanctions on Iran, North Korea, Syria
Susan Cornwell, Reuters Africa — December 15, 2011
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday that would expand sanctions on Iran, cracking down on a wider range of energy issues and closing some loopholes in existing energy and financial sanctions.
IRAQ
U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over
Tom Shanker and Michael Schmidt, New York Times — December 15, 2011
The United States military officially declared an end to its mission in Iraq on Thursday even as violence continues to plague the country and the Muslim world remains distrustful of American power.
U.S. commander in Iraq orders colors to be ‘cased’
The Washington Post — December 15, 2011
After nearly nine years, 4,500 American dead, 32,000 wounded and more than $800 billion, U.S. officials formally shut down the war in Iraq. Troops lowered the U.S. Forces-Iraq flag and wrapped it in camouflage, formally “casing” it.
UNITED STATES
House advances Defense authorization bill
Pete Kasperowicz, The Hill Blog — December 15, 2011
The House on Wednesday afternoon approved the rule for the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), setting up an hour of debate and a vote in the House later this afternoon.
Obama Must Veto Defense Authorization Bill
Ginny Sloan, The Huffington Post — December 15, 2011
Policymaking in the fog of war can lead to regrettable choices. One need only consider the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II or passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. Ten years ago, in the anxious days after the attacks of 9/11, we witnessed a rush to implement policies like the PATRIOT Act that sacrificed individual liberty for promises of greater security. Future generations may well judge these tradeoffs with some understanding because of the wartime cauldron in which they were made.
